This is the Anzac day long weekend here in Australia. Friday was a public holiday to honour all our past service men and women, particularly those who lost their lives in wartime service. We started off by remembering the Anzacs, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ( and all the other forces) who served in the First World War. And then along came the Second World War, and Australia has been involved in many other conflicts since then. So I guess Anzac Day here acts as Rememberance Day does in other countries. A day when we honour those who fought to keep us a free country.

Of course in the actual march that takes place in a big way in the capital cities and in a smaller way in villages, towns and cities thoughout our country there are no soldiers, sailors, airmen etc from the First World War, and fewer each year from the Second World War, but there will always be men and women to march. Unfortunately there will always be conflicts on our fragile planet, and is some ways we will always be called upon to defend the weak, rallying alongside neighbouring countries, our traditional allies or trading partners to fight a common foe.

In the Bible it says: "there will be wars and roumors of wars" and that is pretty right. There will always be those fighting for freedom, for land, status or some other good cause. Why? Who knows? Cleverer minds than mine have asked such questions since primitive times and there has never been an answer that would put an end to wars.

Our days of joining the march or watching as the Dawn Service took place has gone. As we had Cubs, Scouts and Venturers (boys) and a Guide and then a Venturer ( our daughter) we had times of getting up in the dark and going off to the Dawn service. Ray wasn't in the Forces so he never marched but my late Dad marched every year first in Sydney in the "Big March" and then later at one of the local marches. That happened until the last few years when he was too stiff and then too old and frail to make it. So we sat beside him and watched the march on television, listening to the commentary and Dad's cry of :"I think that was old George on the end there, of course I could be wrong..."

This year we have a new event starting as our grand daughter joined Joey Scouts and marched for the first time in the 10am march in our local town. It was raining so we didn't go in to see her but if it is fine next year we will make the effort. She asked her Mum why she was marching and was it important? Her Mum said it was important as she had people in both sides of the family who have served as soldiers ( my Dad), sailors ( her Mum's Dad) and in other ways. My Mum worked in a munitions factory in England throughout the war working on a lathe to make airplane parts as did thousands of other women. My Dad's Dad served in the Boer War and the First World War, Dad and Pam's Dad in the Second etc. My Dad was a POW in Germany for four years and didn't get back to England till six months after the War had ended. All of them made huge sacrifices to keep our world safe.

Our daughter and son-in-law were both involved in Anzac services in Cairns. As Salvation Army officers they too uphold a long tradition. Many a weary soldier has been greeted by a "Salvo" with a cup of tea and something to eat, sometimes far too close to the front line my Dad used to say. So many soldiers have a soft spot for the "Salvos" and that continues right till today. Shirley says it is a humbling experience to listen to the old soldiers stories and realise the sacrifices they made, often at such a young age too, "to keep Australia safe".

The rest of the weekend is really for reunions, family gatherings etc. This year this weekend is also Orthodox Easter which will make certain places busier than usual. And co-incidently it is also the last weekend of our school holidays locally, so the fact that it is NOT raining today after 12 days of rain straight is probably bringing rejoicing to a lot of households. No flags flying today but a lot of sheets flapping in the breeze on clotheslines all across the countryside.

Ray and I went out with some friends yesterday afternoon so are taking it easy today. We spent some time after lunch on the verandah, reading side-by-side. I like to spend a little time with him doing something special every day. Sure there is a lot of work to do here but there has to be down time too, so if it is fine and sunny as it was today there is plenty of time to sit and contemplate the view, have a "cuppa" together and a bit of light conversation. After all it is forty years coming up in July.....