Blog Archives

Three women on a “palu” tree – by GEORGE BRAINE   In December 1949, my parents, Teddy and Fernie, travelled to Ranna in the deep south, to spend the Christmas holidays with Eddie and Bridget (Bee) Wambeek. Bridget was my father’s sister, and Eddie was the local PHI. At Ranna, they met Dr. Tissera, and his wife. My late father wrote about this visit, so I’ll borrow his words for a first-hand account. “Dr. Tissera suggested going into the jungle to watch wild elephants. The three ladies in the group – Mrs. Tissera, my sister Bee, and my wife Fernie – were all in an advanced state of pregnancy. But they readily consented to go on the trip without realising its gravity. Having walked about half a mile into the thick jungle (munching various sour fruits) and laughing at Eddie’s jokes, we finally arrived at the foot of a huge “palu” ...