Grass for my Feet: David & Jay

In August 1995, I arrived in Hong Kong to take up a position at the Chinese University. A flat in the staff quarters was assigned to me, but the flat was still occupied and for almost a month I was housed at the Royal Park Hotel in Shatin. That's where I met David Johns, who had arrived from Canada also to take up a position at the Chinese University. When we eventually moved on campus, we were both assigned to flats in Residence 8.

Originally from Britain, David had spent most of his career teaching in Canada, but he still liked cricket. Soon, we were soon playing for the Chinese University's cricket team, often at the Sek Kong Grounds belonging to the RAF, and also traveling down to the Sandy Bay grounds at the University of Hong Kong and other grounds such as Mission Road. David did not own a car for some time, so he rode in mine or in the grand old Mercedes that Mano Arumanayagam owned. We would come home exhausted from these games. After a hot bath, we would get together either at his flat or mine for more beer and dinner. David is a fine cook and I too could come up with a decent curry dinner those days.

Later, David was joined by Jennifer (Jay) and we became good friends. Cricket isn't a particularly interesting game for spectators (some claim watching grass grow is more interesting!) and Jay, along with a few other spouses, would accompany the players to matches, spending leisurely afternoons at the grounds. Vera, the wife of Rob Jones, usually kept score, helped by Fawzia. Jay, along with a few other spouses, read, chatted or relaxed under the nearest shade.

David and me at Shaffi's Curry House in Sek Kong grounds.

Sek Kong was our favorite grounds. It was only a 20-minute drive north of the Chinese University, along the Tai Po Road, Tolo Highway, and Lam Kam Road which ran along a beautiful valley of village houses and orchards. We would go through the entrance manned by Gurkha guards and would drop in at Shaffi's Curry House for a quick bite and a beer before the game began. I have written earlier on this blog about the cricket at Sek Kong, so will not describe those wonderful days again. But another mention of the great meals at Shaffis after the cricket is justified.

Vera, Fawzia, Jay and other ladies at Sek Kong grounds. 1996. Vera and Fawzia are keeping scores.

David & Jay eventually moved to Residence 15 on campus but we saw each other often. Jay is a trained nurse and her advice on my diet was a great help in controlling my diabetes. Some of the best and most wholesome meals I've had in Hong Kong were enjoyed at their home. The pot roast was the best.

They have two children, Christopher and Annelise, and we had Roy, all of the same age. We often discussed the challenges of bringing them up. We discovered that, in temperament and behavior, Annelise and Roy were quite similar. Jay's parents were in Brisbane during this period and my parents were in Sri Lanka, so we also shared the challenges of caring for elderly parents living away from us.

My decision to buy a house in Sai Kung was motivated by a dinner at Jaspas with David and Jay. Similarly, when David was offered the Chairmanship of the Sports Science Department, he sought my advice on whether to accept it. I told him he should , because he may otherwise have to work under an incompetent boss. Our friendship was such that they gave me a spare key to their flat so that I could rest there in the midst of a long teaching day on campus.

Jay had a group of women friends and they often hiked together. She also edited the newsletter on behalf of the Chinese University's Women's Organization (CUWO), to which I occasionally contributed a short piece. David was a fitness buff, a keen cyclist and a sailor, and later became the Commodore of the university's Yacht Club.

They planned their retirement carefully, choosing a lovely site in Saanich north of Victoria for their home. Taking their time and working closely with an architect, they built their dream home. When they left Hong Kong in 2006, I organized a farewell cruise on Victoria Harbour which was joined by 30 of our mutual friends. It was a memorable goodbye to a lovely couple.

Me at their lovely home in North Saanich, Vancouver Island, March 2007

Two year ago, I took the ferry from Seattle to Victoria, where I was met by David and Jay. We drove north to their home, which overlooks the water and has the greatest view of any house I've been to. I spent a few enjoyable days there, taking a ferry ride to a nearby island and also going back to Victoria for a stroll around town and a visit to the museum.

With Jay. Visiting a nearby park. March 2007

Not everyone enjoys retirement. The absence of a schedule, the loss of work responsibilities, and the availability of endless free time may not be easy to cope with. But David and Jay have adjusted well, David with numerous projects around the garden and Jay busy with a gardening club. They now have a dog, Coco, which must be good company.

Driving through campus, I often go past their former flat, and old memories keep flooding back.