It’s Wally’s 80th!!!

Wally’s one of my best mates (idiosyncrasies and all). His parents escaped from Stalinist Russia in the late 1930s and eventually found their way to Oz. Wally was born in 1942 but his mother died soon after from septicaemia - he was raised in the Russian community by a foster family (sometimes by his biological father) and is grateful for everything life has dealt him.
He has accompanied us on 2 train journeys across Russia (summer and winter) and a few other adventures. His fluent Russian language skills were invaluable on our travels and his knowledge of Russian history is bottomless.
I first met him when I treated his cat that had been dreadfully burnt in a bushfire. Wally’s been unlucky in love and drinks more than is good for his health but has been a great friend for many years.
Happy birthday Wally!!
** that’s his birthday cake on the table!