Dodged a bullet
Barney is a WWII vet and was on the HMNZS Gambia in Tokyo harbour at the end of the war, they were alongside General McArthurs ship for the signing of the Peace treaty. At the time of the ceasefire the Gambia was attacked by a kamakazi and the ships company had scrambled, Barney was a gunner, they knew they had little chance against it when an American Corsair flew over and shot it down right in front of them. They were thought to be one of the last engagements of the war. Totally dodged a bullet. The men tracked down the pilot of that Corsair years later to bring him to NZ and thank him. Well he has totally dodged a bullet again, with no option to operate and half his colon hanging out they were preparing for the end, the surgeon was not optimistic but decided to give manually pushing it back in one last try. Like wrestling a reluctant jellyfish, then a miracle, it stayed in. Barney is back home now watching his favourite races and having a beer. Yes we know the time is not long but Barney is determined to relax and enjoy it to the end on his own terms and it sure looks like he will.
The Traveling Kiwi 