3 minute read
Adventurous Duo—Ralph and Susan Keith
Adventurous Duo
Ralph and Susan Keith
alph and Susan still have their British accents, but their hearts are definitely Canadian. When they applied to immigrate to Canada and Australia, the decision was in their favor when Canada accepted them and their young son. Another son and daughter would add to their family over the years and now they have grandchildren. There were no relatives back then to rely on when they first moved because their family was still in England and so their neighbors and community helped them raise their children.
As children themselves, they have memories of growing up and attending school. Kids had much more freedom then and parents didn’t worry as much because they were busy working. Both Ralph and Susan grew up in an industrial town in England. There were days when the coal fires spewed smog into the air and one could hardly see a hand in front of the face. When the Clean Air Act came into being in the 1950’s, it improved people’s health and lives. The two of them knew each other in school, but it wasn’t until they entered Tech school that they started a relationship. They would head to the dance halls in their canvas-like school uniforms and spend their 2 hour lunch breaks dancing; something they both still love to do.
As a youngster, Ralph remembers crawling after his older brother and Susan’s first memories are of ostracizing her younger sister until they were in their later teens. Susan loved going as a family with the neighbors to the seaside, which was 86 miles from the town on the bus and train. One time, she was left at the station and the master transported her to the next station to catch up with the rest of the family group. Ralph was more adventurous and enjoyed hiking in Wales and Scotland and the green hills and valleys. The two of them are born in the mid to late 40’s on the same day but 11 months apart, so they get to be the same age for one month a year.
Being the planner and adventurer, Ralph took a sabbatical from the po-
Rlice force one year and hung up his part-time electrician belt to take Susan and their 3 kids on an adventure in Europe. They bought a Volkswagen camper and had many adventures, including the day they had almost run out of gas and needed money in France. Susan dropped Ralph at the bank, but a policeman insisted she “move along” which she did. She eventually got lost and a kind stranger guided her and eventually located Ralph for her. From the kindness of strangers in Turkey to the pickleball community in Mexico, Ralph and Susan have amassed a wide and diverse group of friends throughout the world. They love to travel and missed it during the pandemic. Keeping busy with walking, gardening, reading and doing their own thing, they look forward to their next trip. Susan retired 20 years ago from a 20 year career as secretary for the school division and Ralph hung up his badge and belt as well. The best advice they took and offered to others is to live within your means and get out of debt, so you can afford the adventures you wish to embark upon when you retire. Bon Voyage!
