Actually Bikkie-ears was quite fond of firing pilots en-mass after a few SPs. One Friday arvo at ritual drinkies at his pride-and-joy DZ Training Centre, opposite his ramshackle headquarters at Jacksons, he fired "all youz pilots". Years later at his salubrious compound residence at six mile he held a rare Sunday afternoon piss-up for some reason or another. There were Pollies there, a few second rate Port Morbid glitterati, the token ex-Miss PNG and lots of very thirsty DZ pilots eager to get their 'pay-cheque'. After a couple of scorched pigs and several kegs were despatched, the crowd had withered to just for a few hardy seriously drunk pilots and Bikkie holding court. Said pilots announced their intention to depart and were promptly threatend with the sack!! Several beers later, and perhaps the last whooosh of the keg spear being heard, we were allowed to escape, jobs intact!!
Which takes me back to Benbach. What a magic spot. The beauty of PNG geography is indescribable to those that have not experienced it, but Bensbach was at another level. Sunrises on that river were breathtaking. Snaking your way down the river in total darkness, reclined in cane armchairs in a flat bottom tinnie, it enticed you in excited anticipation. Then, as dawn broke, it revealed that tropical spectrum of colours as thousands of birds took flight, deer looked on curiously and barramundi stirred in the coffee coloured water below. Timeless. Next? Time to cast and crack a few tinnies at 5:30am!! Line tangle? No worries hand it to the boat boy who trades your rod for a new coldie.
I remember doing a trip there from Tabubil with the SMH3 (Star Mountains Hash House House Harriers- a drinking club with a running problem for those that don't know). Overloaded with SP & San Mig out of Tabubil, we were regaled by the GM with lots of Swing- low-sweet-chariots and a co-pilot, Hash name Faggott, who insisted on playing trolly-dolly with just Telefomin-trousers on!. That was just the beginning of the weekend.
What ever happened to Brian and Doreen Bromley? They were great hosts and their daughter V was a legend in the POM social scene. Is the lodge still going?
Last edited by Maisk Rotum; 15th Sep 2008 at 16:41.