Robbie was my half brother Peter’s son. I knew of him rather than knew him. Since David, my husband and I were living on the other side of the planet now, this was not surprising.

But the planet had become a smaller place and one day Robbie and Helen turned up in New Zealand! They were visiting their son Jamie. 

Robbie was, first and foremost, a lovely man. I was not sure how much we would have in common but that is how he seemed to me and I was so happy to have met him at last. He was warm and interesting and interested and full of the pleasure of life. These are valuable qualities.

He was a very brave man too but seemed unaware of it. I cannot imagine doing what he was able to do.

I saw a little of my beloved Dad in Robbie and will always be so glad he took the trouble to come and visit us in our very remote corner of the world.