The morning was given over to the very impressive Singapore Youth Flying Club, construction of which - a few years ago - called for the demise of G & H blocks, plus the West Camp Sergeants’ Mess, Airmens’ Mess and NAAFI. At the conclusion of this visit, so came the rain. And it stayed with us throughout the afternoon tour of East Camp, even though it failed to dampen the spirits of most, especially those who had not been back here for fifty to sixty years. Flying boat wing was my area, and as long as you turn your back on the Straits, things haven’t changed too much down there. Turn around though, and you’ll discover trees now grow where Sunderlands once moored; and whatever happened to that magnificent jetty? Still, time moves on, and so did we, back to a rather damp parade ground. But I must say, it looked rather grand reflecting the light the way it did. And by now, with the sun occasionally peeking through, the lighting was good for some spectacular shots of the East Camp barrack blocks, all of which remain intact, along with what used to be the Airmen’s Mess, and Malcolm Club. In fact, our next visit was to what used to be the NAAFI, above that Mess. It is now an auditorium, and it was here, with some trepidation on my part, that the first public viewing of my Seletar DVD was to be given. Well, judging from the reception at the end, I needn’t have worried; it seems people would have queued up to by it on the spot - but there are a few contractual items to take care of before that happens. Besides, this was not the ultimate version. That, I hope to have ready for the Walsall reunion. Be there.

On then to the Engineer Officers’ Mess, where carrier bags magically appeared, most going off to change in the locker room. Not formal, but the occasional blazer was to be seen, quite a few ties, even the odd medal or two.

The building occupying this site has, over the decades, served as Headquarters for the Far East Flight, 205 Sqn Headquarters and Station Headquarters, after which it was for years the Seletar Yacht Club. Now, after extensive renovation, it is known as the Lighthouse, and it was here that our reunion dinner was to be held. Very appropriate, too. On the waterfront, where the Seletar story first began - as did that of the RAF’s presence in Singapore, just eleven months short of eighty years ago. A very historic and fitting location for what was, in effect, our first full overseas reunion.

Fortunately, the rain had by now ceased, skies being swept clear. I say fortunately, because with the numbers present, the master plan called for the majority to be seated beneath the stars - although there had been a back-up plan in place, naturally. It wasn’t required, and the night went well, being graced by the presence of the Base Commander, Colonel Elvin Kek; the Commandant (CCO), Mr Lai Cheng Leong; Colonel (Ret) Goh Siak Kim - who was Camp Commander during Kuan Joo’s time as CCO (1980-86) - Colonel (Ret) Goh Yong, MD of ST Aerospace at Seletar, and the UK Defence Adviser, Group Captain Tim Brewer, accompanied by his lovely wife, Lisa. Tim was also representing the High Commissioner, who was unable to attend due to other commitments.

Kuan Joo opened the semi-official proceedings - well, the bar had already been dispensing drinks for some time - by reading an address from our President, Wing Cdr (Ret) Rod Harris, and then going on to introduce those members of the committee who happened to be present on this auspicious occasion; quite a few, in fact. The Association then made a presentation to Mr Lai, for their Mess: a framed copy of Doug Swallow’s “Sunderland over Seletar” painting, commissioned by myself some years ago. After which it was tea and buns time; or perhaps something a little stronger on the drinks side, more substantial as far as food went.

By 21:30 it was time for “carriages”, as they say, the arrival of which unfortunately signalled an end to the proceedings. We said our goodbyes and eventually boarded, to head back into town. I don’t know about the other two coaches, but ours was soon in full song - apparently, it doesn’t take a lot to get Maurice Whincup and Fred Neale going! Well, we all know about Fred, but Maurice is usually seen as the quiet, retiring type.
The Friday rest day was much appreciated, and the Saturday start wasn’t until 13:00, when we were off again. With a couple of visits en route - the Malay Heritage Centre; Pongol Point; Jalan Kayu - we were back at Seletar around 16:00, by which time the sun had again given way to rain. Quite heavy showers this time, just when we didn’t need it. But all was well once more, for after touring married quarters - a bit of chaos here, each bus taking a different route, dependant on where its passengers wished to visit, some people even managing to pop in to their old quarter, by kind invitation of the present incumbents - the skies once more cleared, sun even managing to pop out briefly, as if to apologise for the previous cloudburst.

Eventually, all the coaches did manage to end up at 10 Hyde Park Gate for our traditional garden party evening. Here we found Sue and Oliver busy mopping up; drying off chairs and tables, food and drink dispensaries having been strategically located under cover. So it was that the wine boxes and bottles took yet another hammering, and conversation flowed on into the night. Bad enough having your house invaded by the thirty to forty people of normal years, this time round it was well over one hundred. But Sue didn’t appear to be at all perturbed by this. It was as if I’d knocked at the door and said, I’ve brought a couple of friends along, Sue, do you mind....?

Next came another “rest” day, at least for those who had not elected to pay $140 (£46) each to lunch in Raffles’ Billiard Bar. Sounds a lot, doesn’t it? But let’s face it, one doesn’t lunch at the likes of Raffles very often, in fact one isn’t very often afforded the chance! But this was lunch with a difference. An International Buffet that began at 11:30 (or any time after that you wished) and ended at 15:00. There must have been a choice of at least sixty dishes, everything as immaculately prepared and presented as you’d expect from Raffles; all you had to do was “go for it.” On top of which, as soon as you were seated you were given a glass of champagne - Bollinger, no less - and the whole time you were there, that glass never emptied. Take a sip and, like genie from a bottle, a young lady was at your side, topping the glass up again. Let me tell you, one can get through a fair amount of champagne in three hours, should one wish to! I certainly got my $140 right there. But Greta Hafferty beat me easily, racking up a scoreline of five nil against the lobsters alone, and on Raffles menu they come out at $80 apiece. Nice one, Greta.
The secret, of course, was to try a little of everything, then decide which you liked best. But by this time it wouldn’t matter, you’d have had enough anyway. A brilliant day, and I for one wouldn’t have missed it. Roll on next time.

The following day we paid visits to Tengah - main gate only of this high security base - and the Kanji Memorial, where everyone posed on the entrance steps for a group photograph, complete with our new Standard. The lighting wasn’t perfect, but one can’t direct the sun. Well, One probably can, but not me!
From here I was obliged to take my leave, as I was due back at Raffles, this time to stay the night - my birthday present from Margaret. Another unforgettable experience, even if it did mean missing the trip to Tiger Brewery!

In the background to all this I was feverishly making various phone calls, trying to arrange a group visit to Butterworth, during the Penang part of the tour. It was a last minute thing, brought about by a suggestion from Tim Brewer. In the end it all came to naught, simply because on the day selected, the camp was also being visited by the Malaysian Chief of Air Staff. And he never even thought to consult me!
From here on the days simply flew by, but we still had one more day of touring, and three group dinners planned, at two of which we would need to supply the wine. I must say, a lot of those suitcases being checked in at Heathrow must have been seriously overweight. OK, we did supplement somewhat with local purchases, but when I got back to the hotel on the final night I found a five litre cask still chilling in my refrigerator! Don’t worry, it’s with Kuan Joo, and I can almost guarantee it will be available next time we go to Singapore.

One of our dining out nights was at Normanton Park - an establishment for ex Armed Forces Officers - which is where Kuan Joo resides, and for this he had laid on yet more presentations. There were badges and mugs for helpers; to celebrate birthdays - we had ten during the tour - one wedding anniversary; and anything else he could dream up, it seemed, Vice President, Ray Jacklin, and Vice Chairman, Roger Edwards having their work cut out making the presentations. The Association, in the form of Secretary, Debbie Attoe, presented Kuan Joo with a carriage clock. All that, and not one person was pushed into the extensive pool area; not that a couple didn’t venture in of their own accord!

On the Friday before departure we kept an appointment with the pupils of Pei Hwa Secondary School - near Jalan Kayu - who are running a heritage project on Jalan Kayu and Seletar. We arranged for them to visit the hotel - after a run in with junior management, who wanted to charge us $300 for the otherwise vacant room - and members of our group made themselves available for questioning, those old vets Fred and Arthur to the fore. And on the Saturday there was a final blast, this time at the Chinese Restaurant of the Keppel Club, where we managed to demolish the last of the (summer) wine - minus the five litres that reposed in my fridge, forgotten but certainly not unwanted! In fact, we had to splash out another thousand dollars to buy from the club.

So came the time to say goodbye to Singapore, and to some of the group, but 77 of us did remain on to travel up to Penang, and what a great time we had there. Mostly just unwinding, but a few of the more adventurous did take to jet-skiing and parasailing.

And by the end of the very last grand finale dinner, on our final night at the Grand Plaza Park Royale, Ferringhi Beach, I have to report it was Greta 11, lobsters nil.