Patrick McCarthy

Patrick McCarthy · August 24, 2007, 06:27:36 PM

Hi my old friend Nicky. I recall the last time I saw you was many years ago in Oranjemund. I was visiting my parents and I brought my then girlfriend with me. You were married to Gaby and you had one child as far as I remember. I met my wife in 1989 in Cape Town while on a military camp. We eventually got married and now have three kids - Raymond (16), Meghan (15) and Brandon (12). I worked in Oranjemund from 1988 to 1991. In 1991 I was transferred to another mine in the Northern Cape and was there till 2000. In 2000 I was transferred to Kimberley Head Office. In 2006 the company restructured our department so I joined Kimberley Mine. Like Adriaan said, we're the old toppies now. It's hard to believe.
Unfortunately my dad passed away in 1995 while on holiday in Sun City and my mom passed away in 2000. It was a difficult time in my life but I've managed to deal with it.
I do indeed remember all the good times we had as teenagers, man what a jol. I often think back to those times. I really miss everybody and always sit and wonder where everybody is and what they're doing.
You said you live in Oz. In which city? I was thinking of moving there a couple of years ago but it obviously never happened.
I'm still waiting for your e-mail.

Till later

Patrick

Speedy · September 06, 2007, 01:44:43 PM

Hi there Patrick,

Remember me? Raymond Gonzales. Brother of Pierre and Alan. Remember the Archie's gang with the old blue Peugeot 404 stationwagon running on 2 cylinders (sometimes 3)? You were then going out with Sharon, heu no, was it Andre, heu no, maybe it was Vicky.... (don't let your wife read this).

I am in sunny south of France now since 1986. I work for a shipping company. I am married with 3 boys.

I read the forum and so I noted that you are in Kimberley.

I will try and scan few photos from my parent's old photo albums and post them in here. I am sure I have a few of you and the guys.

PS. Sorry to hear about your parents. My sincerest condolences.

Cheers for now.
Raymond.

Rebecca19101969 · September 06, 2007, 05:05:53 PM

Patrick, you once gave me 20c and told me to call when I was 21. lol Call my

!! I was married by then!! My sister, Vicky, is living in New Zealand now. She has two gorgeous (very tall) boys!! She's still beautiful as ever. Hope you are keeping well Patrick. Send my love to Teresa! We were at Rhenish together!

Patrick McCarthy · September 07, 2007, 03:20:07 AM

Rebecca - Now how could I forget you. I think a lot about Vicky and everybody else and all the good times we had. Where do you live now? If you have any photo's of Vicky and her kids or yourself, please lets see them. I have two sons (16 and 12) and one step daughter (15). Do you have an e-mail address? How are the rest of your family? My sister is also well, she has two daughters and one son.

Raymond - Man what fun we had. I had forgotten about the Archie's gang but now it brings back memories. I've been living in Kimberley now for 8 years and been working for De Beers for the last 21 years. Lets see those pictures you're talking about. My eldest son's name is also Raymond, named after my father. I think a lot about the good old days and miss everybody. How are the rest of your family?

Nicky Hodge · September 08, 2007, 06:52:17 AM

Hey Patrick, good to see you are still around. I sent you an email about two weeks ago with quite a few photo's attached. I was just wondering if you received them all ok. If not, I shall re-send. See ya.

Patrick McCarthy · September 11, 2007, 07:27:33 PM

Hey Nic, I never received anything my man. The service provider I'm using here in SA is up to sh*t. Please resend it (patrick.mccarthy@absamail.co.za). Thanks

Nicky Hodge · September 12, 2007, 01:35:09 PM

Howzit Patrick, I was wondering why you didn't reply to my email, now I know. I will re-send it right away. Let me know if it is successful this time. If not, I may have to send the pics separate to the email. I also sent Charmain Meier one a little while ago, and got no reply from her either. There must be a problem somewhere I guess. Cheers again.

Charmain Meier (Heusdens) · September 12, 2007, 03:08:55 PM

Hi Nicky

How are you? I did receive your email, thanks. Do you perhaps know what happened to the Haylett family after Eddie Haylett passed away? Any idea of their whereabouts? If my memory serves me right, they were your neighbours in second avenue.

Charmain

Nicky Hodge · September 15, 2007, 07:36:00 AM

Hi Charmain, glad to hear that you got my last email ok. You are quite correct about the Haylett's being our neighbours for many years. I don't know where they all landed up though. The youngest daughter ended up marrying Bertie Schlegter I think. I liked Uncle Eddie a lot. Always willing to help with anything. I wonder if anyone on the site may know anything about them .... Anyone?

Cheers.

Mark Walker · October 01, 2007, 07:30:11 PM

Hi Nicky, dunno if you remember me, joined you guys at OPS half way through Std five then went to to SACS with you. Lost touch with the o/mund world when we moved to the OFS in my Matric year (82).

Now living in London, where I'm in regular contact with Tony Vogel, who moved here from NZ a few years back. He said he'd seen you back there many years ago.

How you doing, what you up to. Any idea where Hoddie is?

Cheers
Mark

Sheena · October 02, 2007, 05:47:26 AM

Hi Nicky

Yes, the youngest Haylett daughter married Bertie Schlechter and is still in Oranjemund. Her mother also lives with them.
The oldest daughter is in Mariental as far as I know.

regards,
Sheena

Nicky Hodge · October 02, 2007, 01:35:32 PM

Of course I remember you Mark, Wow, another blast from the past. How the hell are you? What are you doing in London? Are you married?,Kids? How did you hear about the site? Great to hear that you are in contact with Tony Vogel. What's he doing in London? I know I met up with John Vogel in New Zealand, but my memory fails me Re: Tony. I think he was into interior design or something?? Please let him know about the site, as it would be great to have him on here to catch up.
Hoddie lives in Cape Town, but does not have access to a computer, but I have his sister Jaqui's work email if you want to contact him through her. I have been meaning to do this myself.

Mark, before I go any further, can you remember when You, Tony, Kobus Wiese and I worked in the Retail Store for the Summer holidays and we locked you in that walk in fridge ....... ? Well, I have had the guilts for a long time, but please accept my apologies ..... Even though they have come twenty something years too late. If you had already forgotten about it, just disregard this, but if you have a phobia about the cold weather or ice cream etc,etc, I am really sorry !!!!

As you are probably aware, I left NZ and now reside in Perth, Western Australia still plying my trade for a Pigment / Chemical plant. You may recall I took up an Apprenticeship with CDM in 1981? I am married and have two kids. A son who is 22 and a daughter who is 17.

Good chatting to you.
Cheers for now.

Nicky Hodge · October 02, 2007, 01:44:49 PM

Thanks for that info Sheena,

Would you please "Stuur Groete" to all three of them for me when you see them next? What is Bertie up to these days?

Thank you.
Nick.

Michael Alexander · October 02, 2007, 02:56:41 PM

Nicky, another memory, those walk in Deep freezers are still here in the shop. -24 degrees, when a new guy starts working here, we ask him to go into the deepfreeze to fetch an item, once he walks in, we slam the door shut and turn the lights off. As you know when the door closes the units start up, so the poor guy is sitting in freezing pitch black wind blowing nowhere...once he gets out..... he has turned a few shades lighter......

Now and again , the school brings the kids here for a tour, I do the same thing to them, depending on their ages, you should hear the screams in Perth!

;D