This is like a fairytale, a myth handed down but it is true.

Once upon a time there was a dark curly haired blue eyed young man living far away from home in a foreign land. He was 34 the golden age it is supposed. He had his fill of wild woman upon the 7 seas from Japan to Egypt he had traveled and bedded quietly but lived well. Leaving behind his heritage and his birthright.

He was studying to pass his chief engineer tickets at a marine school in the far north living in a house that had been the first governor of New Zeal ands first home. Just a quick of fate one supposes.

He decided to go to the local cocktail bar which had a dance (remember this is in a time before the Internet and multi channel TV so he had to pass his time somehow).

He was sitting with friends nursing a drink staring out across the local wildlife and he saw her. He stared she glanced back looking at him like he was a bit of debris stuck to the sole of his shoe. It was at that moment he decided he wanted to marry her.

The drink was set down and he walked across the dance floor. Stood and asked that opening question - will you dance! She said yes and off they strolled.

On the dance floor it was uttered the words - You can’t dance to which he replied I know. The music ended. He offered to escort her home.

It was on the journey he looked down at her ring finger and saw a wedding band and asked are you married. she said I’m separated. It was here that the immortal words were uttered - well get yourself out of hock because I’m going to marry you.

She replied but I’m never going to get married again and he replied its manners to wait till you are asked.

Time was short as he was to soon sit his exams and set sail again. They dated he waited and just before he was ready to go he uttered those words

Will you marry me, don’t give me your reply now I will get it on my return but write while I am away.

The months passed, she stopped dating other men including ditching the captain from Melbourne. Pondering if she could give up life in one country for life in another unknown, leaving behind everything and everyone she loves for one man. Please remember this was back in the time when long distance travel was only beginning and was considered a past time of the rich.

He returned, she said yes and he decided as a token of his affection to pay for her divorce.

He passed his chiefs ticket and was soon to sail the seas. But before he left they went and looked at rings.

They trays were set out and he said don’t bother just bring out the biggest you have which in a small northern town was .75 of a carat set in white gold.

The wedding was a simple affair held in a Methodist church because she had been married before. The wedding breakfast paid for by the groom just a small affair less then fifty people in all.

He decided to buy a car a Jaguar to be shipped back home imagine the stir it caused arriving back with a foreign bride and a expensive sports car in tow. Them both arriving separately one by Comet 4 and one by sea.

So I will end this fairytale as you sit and wonder whether it is true and if a happy ending was had by those two.