Half a century, melted away!
Thank goodness for Google. Found the lady who taught me to play the piano-accordion. Turns out she lives where I have often been.
Half a century, melted away! belongs to the following groups:
We Rock: Musical Instrument ArtI’ve just come home from spending half an hour or so with Mrs Else Brandman. 
Turns out that she lives around the corner from where I have my paintings framed and opposite the park where my son and daughter and I have often sat and eaten very tasty fish and chips. 
Mrs Brandman taught me to play the piano-accordion, soon after we arrived in Australia, until, one day, she said to me something like: That’s it. I cannot teach you any more.
Meaning that that was as skilled at playing the instrument as I was ever going to get. And that was excellent advice. 
At that stage, I was attending Teachers College, down, in Wollongong, carrying my (heavy) accordion case there on the train, to use it for the singing and music that I had to learn to teach.
I bought her accordion, at that stage and really did not see her again, until today.
She is still as in control, as she was then and as she pointed out to the other lady present, when I visited her today. That was 50 years ago! 
Would you believe – Well it’s really not that surprising! – that, when I got back in my car and turned on the music, Conny Frances was singing away, on my CD player and I was back in Maroubra, in the fifties, when life was: Maroubra Bay High School, Maroubra Beach – north end; Maroubra Junction and Bob Potters Dance Studio and going to another lesson, with Mrs Brandman, feeling guilty about not having practised enough. 
As happened a lot, lately, she pointed out to me that I remembered so many details from so long ago. But then, when I reminded her that Georgina Cook used to have the half an hour before me and how seeing her used distract ! me no end, (I doubt that Georgina will remember me!) Mrs Brandman remembered exactly where Georgina used to live.
(I did too, because it was near my high school.) 
What strikes me about today’s catching-up is that music has been like something that has flowed through us to our children. 
Her son and daughter are both producing music as mine both have that interest and talent and, hopefully, they all make this world a better place.
....
My son has often been performing only two blocks away (Northies Hotel) from where she lives, in recent years.
...
Beth Mills
Oz, what a beautiful recollection, and what beautiful photos to illustrate your story! Music is the keeper of our history. I am so glad that your son is taking it into the future!! Beth
Ozcloggie replied
Thanks, Beth.
Yes. Was really hard to put into words how strange it was that it had been about fifty years. That she has really, all that time, lived where I’ve often been. It was like stepping into a time-machine. I also liked how she is still so much in-charge . :)
Martin Derksema
Beautiful writing, Ozcloggie and beautiful pictures too. I especially like the last picture. You look so involved and absorbed by the music. Must be a great song you are playing there.
Ozcloggie replied
Thanks, Martin. One of my two children took that last photo. I was playing for my father and them. We were visiting him, in Abel Tasman Village to celebrate Sinterklaas (St Nicholas Day).
I had played there earlier that day, in the main hall but my father had not come down. (Had not understood I was there.) The kids and I had gone to the Dutch shop to get some traditional Sinterklaas confectionery to share with him.
DiannaLee
This is just wonderful…its so heart warming…I love the visuals you have documented with this, so precious for your grandchildren to pass on too. Life….its so precious…time…goes by and to look back and recollect these memories and be able to do this is such a treat…fantastic!
Ozcloggie replied
Thanks, Dianna. Would you have a serious talk to my son and daughter, please? In half a year, I shall be as old as my father was when the elder one was born.
If they wait as long as I did, I shall be around eighty, before my grandchildren would see this and I doubt that they’ll be still finding my writings on RedBubble, then.
Although, with their heritage, no doubt they would be able to read within a few years!! :))
DiannaLee
Ohhh no I was so sleep deprived…I meant “for your kids to pass on! ” hahah …opps daisy! :)
Ozcloggie replied
Well…................your first thought wasn’t such a bad thing either. :)
(I’ve told this so often:
The ticket machines, at Circular Quay Railway Station, were new. They had officials, showing passengers, how to insert the tickets.
The woman said to my son (then about 10??): This is how yu do it. And your grandfather too.
DiannaLee
hahahaha that’s so funny!