So what else aren't you telling us Mr Merls?

It has been a bit of a struggle since Eric has gone and even though I thought I would bounce right back. I have since realised the doctors were right when they said it would take about 18 months to get well again from being so run down from Eric not working properly. My Specialist felt it would do me some good, so I headed off to the Echuca Winter Blues Festival with Merlin and Somerled, my two boys.
It was an intense effort to get there, and when we did it was as cold as ice.

It took us until Saturday the next day to really get our bearings, but once we did Mr Merls, Somerled and myself were off and running.

• Me and My Boys’ Echuca Winter Blues Festival

One must be humble when fame is thrust upon them

I have heard rumours and feedback that I have unwittingly become a bit of a celebrity as a quintessential Hawks Football fan being referred to at length several times on national radio. One must be humble when fame is thrust upon them, so thus I must accept the title of "Lord Og Bear OOC".

Vale Eric the Kidney

Lady Bear picking me up from Monash Hospital after saying goodbye [Photo: Linda]

As many of you are aware, I had a kidney transplant in March 2008, but unfortunatly Eric never really took, and has been is steady decline ever since with extended stays at St Vincents towards the end of 2008. My health had reached crisis point in early 2009 where it was decided to resume dialysis. It was then decided that to aid me in recovering my health and to assist moving on to another transplant that it would be better to remove Eric. This was done in early June.

Merl's 30th Birthday with myself and Lady Bear at Fujisan [Photo: Anonymous]

Hardly out of hospital, Lady Bear and myself took Merlin out for his 30th birthday.

A bit of a different festival this year

• Apollo Bay Music Festival 2009

Merlin came with me to the Apollo Bay Music Festival. A bit of a different festival this year but we still had a good time.

Og at the 2009 Ocean Grove Summer Festival

Mid January sees the Ocean Grove Summer Festival.  It is hot and our seaside village is full of holiday makers.

It is a good little festival with 4 or 5 good quality bands through the day and stalls all along the main street which is closed off for the occassion.

At the other end of the street they also had a young performers stage featuring some really good local up and coming acts.

Spotted Matty and Sarah in the crowd, a bit of a surprise.  Also Chris and Karla and a few others.

For more 2009 Ocean Grove Summer Festival photos check out :

https://picasaweb.google.com/102935184649222300700/OceanGroveSummerFestival2009

Good finish to 2008

I decided I would go to Queenscliff this year as they seem to have given the Festival a broader appeal this year.

• Queenscliff Music Festival 2008.
  

For the first time in our lives Lady Bear and myself were treated to Xmas dinner put on by our boys, Merlin and Somerled. As Lady said, "This was nice, perhaps we could do it again next year".

• Bluestone 2008
  

I did Bluestone 2008 from home this year. After being in and out of hospital with Eric since September I just did not feel up to camping so I went home in the wee hours of the New Year to recover then came back again mid morning for the next day's bands.

Lighthouses of Australia Reunion

In November (2008) we had a reunion with many of the foundation members of Lighthouses of Australia at Point Lonsdale.

This is the part of my life that I really miss now I am on dialysis, the adventures we had.
It was good to catch up after all these years, and this would be the last time we would be all together with Ed.