Howdie folks,
Well it has been a while since my last post as my life took a right turn when I least expected it to. Naturally, things fall away that we enjoy as our focus shifts from what we like to do as a past time and what we MUST do in our past time... the failure of 12 years of marriage and your typical nasty divorce tends to do that to even the best & bravest of us.
Hunting, traditional archery, spending time in the out doors, trad gang and even reading TBM all became a chore and was put very much on the back burner... I had lost my drive and passion for what we all love. The flight of an arrow.
But... my life is very much back on track due to being settled and meeting a fine and dandy gal who brought back the sunshine in my life.
I have found the drive again to make fine timber arrows, scout for new hunting areas and have a 2nd bite of the apple.
So, having said all that... stay tuned for a few adventures shared 'Trad Gang style'. Be it fine made arrows or an adventure into some aussie deer country. I'll be sure to share my new journey after wandering off the path.
Cheers,
ak. :cool:
Missed you Al!
Sorry to hear that life has given you a nut-kicking, but I'm really glad to hear you're kicking back mate!
I look forward to reading your stories & seeing all your pics again.
Welcome back Al.
Good to see your back onboard. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Glad you found your way back. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:clapper: May your journey continue........
Wondered what happened to you! Glad you're back and can't wait for pictures and stories!
Welcome back amigo.
:clapper: :clapper:
Welcome back!
Good to see you are back !!! Same thing happened to me in 96.Kind of wierd I was just thinking about you the other day as I found a t-shirt you had sent me a few years ago for some old trad. mags.Take Care !!
Glad you're back with us Al. Also, glad to see that you found that spark again and hopefully the flame will ignite into some great adventures. At home and in the field! :thumbsup:
Hope it continues to bring you happiness :thumbsup:
Welcome back Bud! We have some catching up to do :thumbsup:
Good luck in your future
Welcome back my friend,
I was wondering about you, sorry to hear about the divorce, been there done that, twice. But still found my soulmate and we have been together for 23 years now.
Glad to see you have your life under control again.
Danny
Glad you are back Al.
From experiance, sorry to hear about the divorce, I know it doesn't seem like it at the time but you will come out the other end stronger.
Al, glad to see you back and in good spirits! I'm going through the same thing right now and this post is very much inspiring that there will be light at the end of the tunnel for me!
God Bless,
Ken
Welcome back Al,sometimes we give for granted the things we love,but nothing is forever and a divorce can really ruin your life.Enjoy your regained peace of mind!
I thought you had been a bit quiet Al sorry to hear of your rought patch.Good to hear its on the up and up again are you still in Mackay and are you working in Auz now or still the OS work.
Cheers KIM
Cheers for all the kind words and the warm welcome back lads...
I gave up working working in Afghan/Iraq about 12 months ago Kim. After 3 years of an adventurous and somewhat risky life on those nasty roads, I had to call it quits. Sleep now comes easier... but I still miss it....
I am now working for an explosive company out west as a shotfirer and enjoying my new career in mining.
All things happen for a reason I once was told... this I know is true.
ak.
Welcome back :)
Glad to have you back Al. Always appreciate your great stories & timely comments. Good also your ducks are in a new row.
Hi Mate, Glad to see you around again, looking forward to seeing some of your photography again.
Cheers Mate
Paul
Al glad your are back on track THnaks Shane
Welcome back Al, I always enjoyed your contributions.
Life can be a rocky road glad your back with us.!
To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. Welcome back........♠ :campfire: :coffee:
Sounds like things improved in varied areas!
Time in the "desert" can give a body time to stop, look, listen to a higher power.
Thanks for sharing a spot of your trials...it's encouragement to many who may have major life changes in the works.
Welcome home! Looking for more great stories!
Welcome back Al! My life did the same in '97. Takes a little while to get back on track, but then you realize how much better things are. Looking forward to reading some more adventures from you.
Been there...done that. However, you are back and apparently in good shape. Look forward to your adventures. Is the new gal an outdoors type? My wife, Laura, is not my first and she loves to bowhunt, scout, be in the woods, etc. Life if better than I had ever expected it to be. Funny how another can add so much.
Welcome back Al. :campfire:
Al, It's good to hear from you again. Sorry to hear of your troubles, but happy that things are looking up.
Hey bud, great to see things have turned around for you.
I could tell for a while by your facebook that things in your life were headed in a different direction....then you sorta dissappeared....
I'm happy for you my friend :campfire:
Hi Al, Glad you survived the orderal. Been there, done that...Time heals all.
Welcome back AL! Always enjoyed reading your adventures... The coffees on my friend :campfire:
Welcome back bud, looking forward to gettin to know yah :)
Welcome back Al. Glad to hear things are going better down under.
Awesome to see you getting about again Al, Im not ashamed to say that I have always been a fan of your story's and your views on things. If you are working out wwst is it as far west as I am in WA. If your out this way It would be great to catch up . Take it easy
Clint
Geez its great to have you back,missed ya my friend.Life sure has a lot of curves a fella has to duck along the way!
A lesson for all of us.
Welcome back!
:wavey:
This is strange. I was watching a documentary on Australia last night and thinking of the fellows from there that post on TG. I was wondering why you hadn't posted in some time and hoped all was well with you. Obviously I need to get out more............but welcome back :wavey:
true lovers of traditional archey tackle always seem to find their way back home Al somehow somewhy we find it.We all missed you alot Al welcome back brother welcome back bd
Your absence didnt go unnoticed by me Al. I always look forward to you your posts. Glad you got back on that horse!
Good for you Sir.
:wavey: Welcome back, Al. Glad to read a new post from you. :campfire:
Welcome back Al, always enjoy your adventures and good luck on your new ones.
Can't wait to read some more of your stories sir! :wavey:
Al,
I had heard about your troubles and knew they had taken a toll on your life. You aren't the first to go through those experiences, but that doesn't remove the suffering just because others have suffered too.
While I was in Oz hunting with Mick and Andy, I talked with Andy about you, and we both expressed how much we wanted good things to come to you. If things had worked out differently, I would have loved to have figured out a way to see you while I was there. It is with great joy that I read how you are back in a good place in your life. My plans may include a return to Oz next year if my schedule allows. I would love to get together then if it works for both of us.
Enjoy your new situation, and suck all the life you can out of every day. You deserve the best, buddy.
Cheers,
Allan
Welcome back! Glad things are looking up again.
Hey, Al...
Glad you're back, buddy.
Now I know you didn't mean it to be funny- but I read what you said about your job- and it just tickled me so much...
You got off the roads of Iraq because it was dangerous, so you came back to Australia and got a job with an EXPLOSIVES company so you could sleep better at night!!!!!!
Now that's funny right there!!! I don't care who you are.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :biglaugh: :biglaugh: :laughing: :laughing: :archer2:
I'm happy for you. Great to have you back!
Welcome back my friend! Mike
Looking forward to sharing your new adventures.
Welcome back Al..........
I wish I had know you were in Mackay, I was there all week. Glad things are going better for you
Welcome back and good luck on your new deal. May you be blessed in new and great ways.
Good to see you back on line Al. I look forward to reading some of your stories.
Married 12 years myself...... and "BAM" it was over. Glad your doing well, couldnt be happier myself.
Welcome back Al.
I'm glad to have you back!
God bless,Mudd
Wow guys... reading this make a man more humble then I already am. I truely am glad to be back within the Trda Gang fold.
Bill; yes mate, the new girl in my life is a lover of the outdoors... lucky me huh!
Guru; yes mate, FB was shut down due to me just wanting my own space again.... and I don't miss it.
Allan; thanks for the kind thoughts. I will catch you next trip down under.
Yes Ray... I looked at that post too and thought the same thing...lol. This time around I plant the explosives, rather then Mr Insurgent!
Now... I see on the 3Rivers web site that they have some Chundoo shafts for sale. Can anyone tell me if these are the real deal Chundoos?
Cheers again to you all.
ak.
Well Hello there brother from another mother! :wavey: It is good to see the light coming back into your life.
welcome back mate. your tradgang family has clearly missed you.
good hunting,
clint
Al! G'day! We will catch-up someday.
:wavey: :campfire:
Great to see you back and posting again, Al. Looking forward to the hunting stories!
Glad to have you back, Al!
Welcome back. Glad to here things are back to good "Down Under"!
Welcome Back..look forward to some hunting tales. RC
Good for you mate!!! :) mark#78
Glad to hear you weathered the storm, and can look forward to the joy of life with sunrises and sunsets.
Welcome back Al. I was just getting ready to send you an email and see how the world was treating you.
Glad things are getting back on track for you Mate .
Was wondering where you had been eh !
Great to see you back Al...!
Remember that days are good, some are just better than others...!
Glad your back. You've been missed.
Al Kidner, welcome back bro. While I am not on here as much as I once was, it is definitely good to see you back in the game, so to speak. In regards to your past year or so, "adversity builds character". I believe that...
Sometime soon, I would like to hear about your elk hunt here in the States. Good luck and God bless you and yours, T Downing
Welcome back, Al. It's good to know that life is headed in a good direction for you.
Al,
It is good to see you resurface again. I have not been checking in here with any regularity, been real busy with my regular job, farming operation, outfitting business, and life in general and often wondered how things were coming along on your end. I hope things continue to keep looking up for you. We had a new grandchild arrive at Jacob's house recently, welcome Jackson Tyler. Any more plans on another elk hunt?
Gooday Mate and welcome back from Canada Eh! Good to see ya sunny side up again.
:clapper: Welcome back brother Al!!
Sorry to hear about your troubles mate - good to have you back!!! :archer2:
Welcome back Al. Glad to hear your life is back in order. Looking forward to hearing about your bowhunting adventures. :thumbsup:
Welcome back Al.
Welcome back Al,missed your post and pics.Glad things are looking up for you.
Geeez lads... You all sure do make a fella feel warm and welcomed.
Yes John, I have something brewing in the back of my mind for 2012 and that bull that out played me over the other side of coffee pot wallow. Email inbound soon mate, stay tuned. Oh, should that be poppy? Congrats mate.
T Downing, pm bro.
Thanks again guys. My life is far better when sending arrows down range.
Ak.
Geeez lads... You all sure do make a fella feel warm and welcomed.
Yes John, I have something brewing in the back of my mind for 2012 and that bull that out played me over the other side of coffee pot wallow. Email inbound soon mate, stay tuned. Oh, should that be poppy? Congrats mate.
T Downing, pm bro.
Thanks again guys. My life is far better when sending arrows down range.
Ak.
You are right AL,shooting your bow is a good cure for a broken soul!