These are a couple of remembered stories of my dad’s, told to us kids over many a campfire while out fishing. Now I can’t vouch for the truth of any of these stories, my dad was an award winning bullshit artist. Still, he told a good story. I will add to these as I remember them, because with Dad gone, there’s noone left to tell them.
My aunt married a Yugoslavian called John (actual name spelling I have no idea), but the family always called him Yugie. He was a new immigrant, and all for the drinking and fun that went along with fishing with Dad, uncle Richard and uncle Lionel. One night around the campfire, Dad and Lionel told him the classic long complicated aussie story about “drop bears”. Yugie was properly impressed and terrified. Next day, the Lionel and Yugie spread out looking for more wood for the campfire. Now Lionel is a huge man, 6ft5 and weighs about 20 stone. Yugie was a weedy guy. Lionel picks up this enormous log, hoists it on his shoulder, and walks back towards the campsite. Yugie, not wanting to be outdone, picks up this equally huge log, somehow manages to get it on his shoulder, and staggers back towards the campfire. Dad is sitting with Richard, and says to his brother “hey wanna see something funny?”. He then stands up, yells out at the top of his voice “Hey Yugie, look out for the drop bear!”. Dad says that poor old Yugie nearly turned himself inside out trying to run, drop the log and look up …. all at the same time. Dad, Lionel and Richard nearly wet themselves with laughter. Yugie thought it was funny too …… eventually.