Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: Dakine on May 24, 2006, 03:24:27 PM
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OK,
try and make a loooong story short.
My Father has terminal cancer so am moving back to UK after many years in Texas.
All going ok, shipping company booked etc.
However, my mum is going in hospital in two weeks for eye surgery and I am going over to UK next week so I can look after my dad and her whilst she recovers (I am slated for perm. move in about 2 months, once things here are "hopefully/fingers crossed/praying" sorted, inc. my puppy getting clearance to enter UK).
Anyway, my Dad is getting bad it now seems and my stress levels are through the roof!
Now, the MAIN thing that is holding me together is playing guitar. It soothes/calms etc.
So, for my trip next week. How do I travel with a guitar so I can play over there?
All are in hardcases but thats probably not good enough.
Should I chance a hard case (all guitars are insured but still...), should I leave it (flightcase is too much expense right now and probably would be "overweight baggage" cost too)?
Or, do I take the neck off my Axiss SS and carry it on, "GASP"?
NEVER done this and it concerns me alot.
I will not have easy access to a Luthier when in UK so will re-attachment be an issue? (i.e. truss rod etc.)
has anyone taken neck off before? How was it to re-assemble?
Any and ALL advice will be greatly appreciated.
You are a great bunch of guys and your kind regards go without saying.
Basically I am stressed and need some advice :)
Thanks,
Nick
p.s. as am a USA resident, Customs should leave me alone right (guitar wise)? As I don't need a fist fight with them as well :)
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These cases might be worth looking at
http://www.skbcases.com/product/musical_instrument/guitars.html
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Thanks Bird.
I would take the Axis, which is IN an SKB case.
UPS cracked the case corner just delivering the darn guitar!
I basically need thoughts on,
A. Checking guitar in hold (with heavily wrapped "towels or summit" guitar inside hardcase).
B. Removing neck and carrying on guitar (NO experience with this idea!!!!).
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i dunno... i would have though hard case would be enough... but then i know NOTHING about this...
hmmmmm
you could quite easily dismantle it... depends how much luggage your taking with you? you could even wrap the body up in OODLES of bubble wrap and the like... and stick that in your hand luggage (maybe) if it aint too big and if you arent carrying much else at all...
but the dismantling option just seems like a lot of hassle...
if it were me id just pack the hard-case chock full of bubble wrap, loo paper, anything squidgy, and leave it at that....
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Yeah, decisions decisions.
Checking the guitar also means one less piece of luggage allowed too!
Not happy with My Cosmos right this minute :(
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my guess is that it would be ok in the case. It's only going from the terminal to the plane and off again. There's not as much opportunity to abuse it as there is with a courier company, as I worked for the big one in Canada for almost 15 years I've got some experience there.
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oh shitee just read your dads condition worsening... :o :(
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My Mum says his cancer has spread and he is now wasting away :(
Life can SUCK!
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shite....
damn man dunno what to say...
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you just did Sam :)
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When I've flown with my guitar and/or bass, I've always padded them within the case as best I can and tried to keep them as close as possible on the journey. They've always left my hands at the door of the plane, at least, but so far I've made it through. I think I remember Phil saying BA was better behaved than most towards people flying with instruments.
Still, my wife and I are planning to move to South America towards the end of the year, and I don't think it will be practical for me to hit the plane with multiple guitars (whilst juggling cat carriers and normal luggage). I'm going to have a go, I think, at express shipping perhaps via DHL. I did that with my bass from US to UK once and the bass was fine, though I got roasted (probably unjustly) with import tax. I'm going to have to see if I can dodge that this time! (In any case, if it gets there safely, then I'm not so worried about the one-time cost. It'll end up small in the overall scheme of things!)
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:D Very sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he & your mum get well real quick ! :D
As for the guitar issue you should be allowed to have hand luggage. Phone the airline & ask/confirm that you can take your guitar as hand luggage. If you can`t do it as hand luggage then it should be ok to go in the houled of the plane Birds right it won`t be there long enough to get damaged. Is the case a fitted case ? so the guitar fits snug. if it`s an open hard case were the guitar just fits in & is surrounded by open space with a lid then use towels etc to pad it out & help protect it.
:D 8)
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Thanks Carlaz and JT.
Continental (whom I have over 90,000 mile points with) are NOT helpful at all!
Shipping will be costly (got enough money issues right now) and as am moving back after over 6 years in US I refuse to pay an import tax on "used items", which is why all my stuff is getting shipped by a bonded shipping company come time.
Carrying on is not an option unless I take it apart (neck off, which as I have said have never done, am unsure of, but will keep it closest to me).
The Axis is in a proper case (made for it and shipped with it). The case is ABS plastic with fur covered plastic cr@p interior. Padding this out may be ok, just dunno.
As I said, they are insured but helps me not if it gets busted by baggage "footballer" handlers!
This aint easy!
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Hey Nick, I'm sorry your dad is going through this cr@p, man. I feel for you.
As for your guitars, I fly about 10,000 kms per year, on average, and I often take at least one guitar. ;) I've never had any damage yet--to the guitars or the cases. A hard case should be sufficient. Of course, with airlines that isn't guaranteed, but so far so good for me. I have travelled with a Baby Taylor that was small enough to take as a carry-on (you have to be tricky about it though) and my old Ibanez S540, which I sold and am now pining for.
I did have the Ibanez take a holiday without me once. It flew to Sydney with Qantas for a few days, while I waited for it in Queensland, but we were happily reunited in the end.
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I did have the Ibanez take a holiday without me once. It flew to Sydney with Qantas for a few days, while I waited for it in Queensland, but we were happily reunited in the end.
:D Did it have a sun tan ? :lol:
:D 8)
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Hey Searcher,
thanks!
think hold luggage is looking the choice. Just hate the SKB case to start with! Actually, guitar is heavily insured and apart from hassle a payout would not upset me too much, just takes time and whole idea is a guitar there to relieve stress/tension.
maybe Feline or a Luthier will chime in on pros/cons of taking the neck off for "carry-on" choice.
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I've seen somewhere of someone that took off the neck from their guitar and put it all in his suitcase.. I think all necks have the trussrod in the neck only so that wouldnt be a problem but listen to someone more experienced as the last thing you want is a messed up guitar
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Nick, as everyone else has said, real sorry about your folks. I know how you feel. I saw a fellow passenger carry a guitar case on board a European flight recently and she stuck it in the overhead. Admittedley not a transatlantic hop. I have had my guitars apart on odd occasions and had no problems putting them back together and I am about as inept as they come. Another thought, I'd lend you one of mine to tide you over if you want- which airport are you arriving at?- I live about 15 mins away from Gatwick.
Steve
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I travel with guitars a lot. But I travel BA. They quite often let me take it on the plane and put it in the wardrobe in business class. When they do put it in the hold, they hand carry it and unload it into the oversize and fragile area. They will also let you have it loaded at the gate, which means that you carry it to the plane.
I have only had damage through Homeland Security. Let me give you a warning, don't lock anything! It seems to be like a red flag to them, and they will break the locks. They ruined a new PRS case because I had locked it (and you can open the locks with a paper clip in about 2 seconds!). I had done it for security. Now I put tape over the locks so they don't get knocked open. This way they can open it if they want. Another thing you can do at some airports is have them wrap the case. As long as they check it for HS before they do this, it is probably the best way to go.
Sorry about your father, and I hope that you don't have too much hassle in traveling. If you want to take the neck off, it is not difficult and I can give you some points to check if you want to PM me about it. I have carried Ben's Strat and Gajic neck in my cases with no problems, but again don't lock the cases.
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Thanks Guys,
I just spoke to Ernie Ball (not that they are my fave people, although I like their guitars) and they advised against taking neck off at all poss.
Steve that is a MEGA generous offer. I actually fly into Gatwick (I always fly Continental as have miles, continental bank card and they fly direct). Problem is Continental was in chapter 11 for along time (close to bankrupt) and closed alot of bases. Their HOME base is Houston so all the "walking dead" now operate from there. Their flight attendance is cr@p! They only wanna talk to each other about arthritus creme's and such LOL. So them being "attentive to my plight/concerns" is not a good bet. In fact just speaking to them on the phone they were NOT receptive.
As I said, if the axe breaks it is insured and for more than I payed for it. BUT the issue would then still be I am guitarless.
I hope this does not sound cold or misplaced. I am trying to be "on topic" here as this is not a "grief" forum. I am devastated! I have ALWAYS felt some guilt for moving so far away (I am 36yo and my folks are 74yo and I am an only child), so now I just dunno how to express my thoughts/feelings.
However, apart from getting angry and looking for some violence, my best outlet is playing music right now! The guitar does HELP, hence my desire to take one with me.
I just dunno.
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must be difficult for you man, good luck with everything...
im not gonna say im praying for you or anything as im not religious...
but im thinking of you mate,
hope all goes well.
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Thanks Sam,
basically it is "coming to terms" with it, as now the outcome is inevitable/close.
Nick
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i know what you mean... i also kinda know the guilt you described... a couple of years ago my aunt died of cancer, and in all my life id barely tried to speak or meet with her accept when i HAD to... it was like a chore... now i feel so guilty that i hadnt made more of an effort... it was cause she lived in Devon you see, quite a way from me, and me being a teenager didnt care for going to visit..... quite ironic actually as my uncle (well he WAS my uncle-in-law anyway) is/was a guitar teacher and if my aunt was still alive i would be wanting to visit all the time... that only adds to the guilt in a way..
anyway, yer... i (half) know what your going through although i cant imagine what its like with a parent...
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Sorry to hear about your Dad. Bring your guitar if it makes you feel better man as it'll help you take your mind off things and focus on the future. Thoughts are with you.
When i used to travel abroad doing photo jobs i used to have to carry some mega expensive kit which is fragile. I used to check a big lens in as fragile goods or fragile something anyway. Just ask at check in. They carry the items on to the planes cargo hold for you and in some cases hand it to you personally at arrivals otherwise you pick it from the carousel if not. I've got a lens that i paid 5.5 grand for second hand and never had any probs, but i did worry about it.
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Hey Nick, I don't know much about travelling with guitars, but I'm sure I read somewhere that you should release the tension on the strings if you are putting the guitar in the hold - it's something to do with the hold not being pressurised like the cabin (I think?), it can cause all your strings to snap - and the last thing you need after a transatlantic flight is a re-string.
Have you thought about buying a really cheap small-scale acoustic or similar, because that could definitely go in as hand luggage.
Regarding your parents, all I can do is echo what everyone else has said and wish you all the best thoughts I can.
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JC, darn bro!
Now ya know whats coming next.....
POST SOME PICS u ave taken :)
Nick
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Hey Willo, thanks bud.
Buying another guitar seems abit silly (although good idea). Cannot stand Steinberger shape btw :)
Thing is, well, extra cash is tight (till sell house here, fingers crossed that goes ok, finished all work, put in new deck this weekend PHEW) and am looking at a M-Audio Black Box to use for my trip, which is costing too.
Still undecided.
Erring towards padding out the case as best as I can. Steve "Mr.Beatle"s offer is VERY generous though! Hmmmmmmmmm
You know what though....
This shows BRITISH SPIRIT.
yeah I am emotional right now, but I love you guys! I KNOW your sentiments are heartfelt and honest and I MISS that overall feeling. I am NOT dissing USA but I MISS BRITISH SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!! I dunno how I feel right now but I DO know where HOME is!!!!
And, when I am back at least I can finally meet some of ya (although missed LGS :( ), but Music Live etc. is coming.
I know/feel owe ALOT of ya a beer/or coke (Sam ')).
Nick
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I know/feel owe ALOT of ya a beer/or coke (Sam ')).
Nick
:lol: i dont think coke is a good idea- (according to my dentist) i did 30 years worth of damage to my teeth in 2 years due to that substance :D
maybe an orange juice?
anyway.. off to do a merry paper round... how fun... :?
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Well Nick let me know if you do want to borrow it and PM me.
Steve
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This is just an idea, but as I work at a big music chain I know how guitars arrive to the store. I'm thinking what you could do is go down to your local music store and ask for some boxes. preferably ones from american fenders or else a gibson box (I say this because those guitars come in their hardshell cases inside the box...guitars like epiphones just come in a box..no case so the box is smaller) and then bubble wrap it like crazy and put it in the box. I am sure those stores have PLENTY of boxes everday as I know the store I work at does, and I am sure they would be more than willing to toss a couple your way. it will of course make the size bigger but hey...can you put a price on the safety of your guitars? even better, would be to get an american fender bass box, even bigger, more room for bubble wrap or packing foam etc.
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JC, darn bro!
Now ya know whats coming next.....
POST SOME PICS u ave taken :)
Nick
I've got some xtreme sports ones on a picture agency site if your interested. It's only some of my stuff though.
www.buzzpictures.co.uk and type my name in the search box and they should all come up..... John McGillicuddy Irish, very bad name for school!!
Check out some of the other stuff in here too, the surfing pics are gorgeous but none of mine!
Also http://www.cannonballbikerun.com click on cbr the full story, there is some pdfs with my pics in there too
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Very bloody good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the surf shots, takes me back to my North Shore and Makaha days in Hawaii !
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Very bloody good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love the surf shots, takes me back to my North Shore and Makaha days in Hawaii !
Thanks Dakine, none of that surf stuff is mine though, some of those guys are at the top of their game in the surfing section.
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LOL,oops!
Well it's ALL good anyway. Great clarity and framing.
Fancied abit of photog myself once, then saw the pros LOL, just for fun now :)
Bloody exspensive for decent lens's too (as yours).
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LOL,oops!
Well it's ALL good anyway. Great clarity and framing.
Fancied abit of photog myself once, then saw the pros LOL, just for fun now :)
Bloody exspensive for decent lens's too (as yours).
Tell me about it! It was 11 grand new. I've spent about that on my kit though. I paid for most of it in a very dangerous way as well! When i was despatch riding in london, over the years i had a fair few spills, most of which were not my fault and used the insurance payouts to buy stuff with! PDT_007
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OMG Deathwish!
That tops me diving for living in my book!
Good disposal of funds though, got ya outta the path of them there VOLVO killing machines!
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OMG Deathwish!
That tops me diving for living in my book!
Good disposal of funds though, got ya outta the path of them there VOLVO killing machines!
Yeah it did for a bit, but it's a bit like trying to make a living from music in a lot of ways. When you have work its sweet, when you don't it's the pits. So i gave up on the full time and do it when i can now. I drive a poxy skip lorry now! :lol:
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Sorry to hear about your father.
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Well,
decided to put some extra foam (still to find, probably the cuttable stuff used in hardcases for photo equipment) and take the axis in the SKB hardcase. I will let it go in the hold, unless Continental takes pity (which I doubt) and hope for best.
Mr38th I cannot thankyou enough for your offer but will try this way as I need to get it over there anyway.
Worse case, insurance job and NEW guitar (or the amp I need lol).
Also, just ordered a M-Audio Black Box to travel with (with free footpedal and mic.) so can noodle away with that. It seems ALOT simpler than my Zoom MRS8 and is USB. So, will be able to post (maybe even the Custom SG with WP's if get it done before I leave).
Again,
THANKYOU one and all for your kind words, thoughts and wishes. And although not a Cheery subject, I will keep you informed, after all, You All ARE My Extended Family!
Nick
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Hi Nick,
Just want to remind you again NOT to lock the case. Put Gaffa (or duct) tape over the catches. Homeland security will break the locks.
Once again, I hope you get over to England with no problems, and I'm sorry about your parents. I am going to have to deal with this at some point (my dad is 78 and my mum 72), and I can only imagien how you must feel.
Cheers
Phil
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Thanks Phil,
yeah, tape is best.
I was in an airport twice a month for 14 years (well 4 times if ya count Heliports) whilst diving offshore and am too aware of security cr@p.
I know they are trying to make us safe but......... sheesh.
Anyway, will try and get em to let me walk it to the gate.
As said, she's insured (although irreplaceable due to it being that Ermengenza one) and have USAA insurance so should be good :)
Thanks,
Nick
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mate, shockin news about your dad.
I lost my sister last year. It sucks, its not right and not the least fair.
You've got to live through the worst part yet....
Without going into details (this is a guitar forum) watching the devastating effects of the illness and the attempted curing process is just...
gut wrenchingly tragic. Its been a 8 months and i still dont sleep well at night.
My advice, use your support network. Dont feel bad about spilling your guts to your mum when your dad isnt in the room, be prepared to listen to her and her horrible feelings she is going through.
Talk to people, maybe this isnt the best forum (no punn intented) but find people to be around.
Anyways dont be scared to unbolt a neck. Its a piece of wood bolted to another piece of wood!
Your truss rod shouldnt need adjusting if you put it back on within a reasonable amount of time... couple of weeks. put new strings on it in the UK. Dont change your string guage and really you should be right. I pull necks of guitars all the time.
PS if your travel brings you to Perth Australia then never fear theres a spare strat and or LP copy for you here :D
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i'm really sorry to hear about your dad and mum, nick. I hope everything sort itself out for the best.
This might have been mentioned, but if money's no object, how about buying a second seat? I was reading guitar buyer recently, and the dude who bought gary moore's greeny lp did that. it did cost 7 figures, though...
I remember flying somewhere about a year ago (ah, that'd be london, then :oops: ) and some guy was waiting for a banjo or something to come off the conveyor belt (after landing) and it basically flew off it onto the floor. It was in a case ok, but I wouldn't fancy that happening to my guitar...
:drink:
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Thanks JC and Dave.
I am taking the EB Axis.
If it breaks I have it insured for $1,600 which is a new guitar or the Amp I want need.
No worries.
Mainly, THANKS for the support, it's gonna be ROUGH!
I see Metallica style anger music being written soon. (NOT St. Anger btw, eughhh)
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Well, arrived back in UK yesterday.
Gorgeous weather! :) can blame me for bringing it with me :)
Guitar arrived safe and sound too. I padded the case out with some 'carpet underlay' lol, which did the trick, and used Gaffa tape over the locks.
Anyway, guitar all well.
Father though, well, down to days to few weeks am now told :(
Just glad am here now!
Nick
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Glad to hear that you and plank made it all ok Nick. You have a trying time ahead I fear but my thoughts are with you.
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Sorry to hear about the situation Nick...If any more travelling is to be done with guitars, see if you can do what i did - I bought a tele from america as it's a lot cheaper there...
Anyway, I bought a hard case for it and took it up to check in and was like "look, this isn't suitable to go in the hold, is there any other option of what to do with it?" and they offered me to put it in the cabin with the crew's stuff - they have a big locker thing with all their stuff and it easily fit in there with it
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Well, arrived back in UK yesterday.
Gorgeous weather! can blame me for bringing it with me
See its not all bad...
Exept the food....polution...traffic....congestion...
Ahh who am I tryin to fool, I wish I was steppin of a plane in the UK. Beats the hell outa going to work on monday. :wink:
Good luck man.
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So, will we see you online much now, Nick? Keep us posted. Hopefully things are better than they seem for your dad. I'm helping a guy right now who was given just a few months to live three years ago.
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cool glad you+axe made it back ok....
bad news bout your dad... but like Mark said, you never know what could happen...
we need a good Googletalk talk me thinks...
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Thanks alot as ever guys 'my net family' :)
Not much hope Dad wise, he is just too weak/thin/tired. Just as long as he is comfortable and not in pain. Glad I am here though, esp. for my mum.
My other guitars will get a 'cruise' so no planes to worry bout there.
Found darn shop in Salisbury (nearest city) that I found online and stocked some classy gear inc. Engl have GONE :(. Oh well, plenty of time.
Not enough time to write really, but am kinda in UK shock. Feels strange (like a foreign country) after so long away. The prospect of moving back actually scares me abit, still, will get used to it am sure.
Terrible 'dial-up' here so with everything else not alot of computer time.
Will look in when can though.
Thanks again guys, you are THE best!!!!!!!!!!
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Just a brief note to all of you who sent wishes and were so kind.
My father passed away at about 1pm this afternoon.
He went very peacefully and suffered no pain.
He will be forever Loved and Missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P. Dad :cry:
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Sorry to hear your sad news mate. I've been off the radar for a couple of weeks but i did think about your situation.
I hope you don't feel too bad.
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I'm sorry to hear that your dad died. I'm glad he went peacefully and that you made it back to see him. Hope your mum is OK. It is a tough situation, changing countries, and all of this. I hope you can get settled in OK. If you need anything from the US just let me know.
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Nick, I am so sorry to hear that. I am so glad, however, that you were there. I shall be thinking of you.
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+1 to everything. havent talked in ages, speak to ya soon mate.
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:huge: sorry to hear your news...+1 to everything else that was said
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Sorry to hear about your dad. :(
But it's good new that you're able to be on hand to support your mum -- she's the one who needs it the most, I imagine!
Oh, and though would that it were under happier circumstances, welcome back to the UK in any case! :) (Have to look for the positive where we find it!)
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Saddened tyo hear that.
Atleast you are there for your Mum, and look after yourself for the sake of your family.
Rob...
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Nick, like everyone else said, I'm sorry to hear about your dad going. However, at least you made it there before the end and I'm sure that counted a great deal for him (and others, you included). Sometimes people hang on until they can say goodbye to everyone, and then they feel more comfortable about letting go.
Anyways, I'm sure you'll be busy for the next few weeks and I hope that everything works out for you over there.
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deepest thoughts mate
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Deepest sympathies. I'm sure your getting back to the UK allowed him to go peacefully.