Did you ever have that item of clothing that just seems to grow with you? That, despite buying various other similar items which may be more fashionable, newer, different colours, a different style or fit – you seem always to return to the original. Given a choice, you always select it. And it seems you have had it since … forever? That sounds like Tom’s “Old Faithful”.

Back in 1993, we bought a jacket each from Harris Scarfe, Salisbury. Back in the day when Harris Scarfe had an excellent range of reasonably priced everyday items, and fantastic clearance and bargain sections. I think we paid no more than A$25 each for these jackets. We wish we could buy the exact same ones today! In fact, every now and then I look for the brand in retro eBay listings and op-shops. Has anyone seen any Boydex jackets lately??

Warm, light … they seem to have grown with us – Tom is now a 4XL in new clothes in some brands, but this jacket is a mere XL! And it’s wonderfully lightweight – it can be scrunched into a pillow, tied around the waist, smooshed into a suitcase, slung over a carry-on, and crammed into overhead lockers.

Here are our jackets, seen on our first trip to Japan with students, in December 1994 – January 1995.

We have so many fond memories of this particular trip, taking students to Japan. It was Tom’s first trip to Japan, so it was wonderful to show him (and the students) many famous and favourite places. Meeting previous host families. Visiting Nikko for the first time. Well-behaved students, an accommodating school exchange, very supportive teachers. Tammy G came as a student and is now a Japanese teacher herself.

We were in Tokyo when the great Hanshin earthquake (Kobe) struck – we had just returned from a brief journey with the students south to Kyoto and Nara. We met up with previous host families, including one from Kobe, mere days before. Fortunately all were safe and well following the earthquake.

Looking back at the photos now, Old Faithful looks so fresh and new!

Old Faithful has been on many overseas trips since, England, Europe, Japan, China … and local trips interstate to the football.

It’s a well-travelled, much-loved jacket!

Did we mention you can wrap it up, use it as a pillow, a blanket, and it’s quite cuddly? We’ve tried replacing it on several occasions. “Mr. Stinky” was a purchase made in England – an oilskin coat similar to a Driza-Bone. Unfortunately it lived up to its name. A longer line navy rain coat was purchased for a New York trip – but in retrospect it was too bulky for travel. “Mr. Zippy” is a casual hoodie – good for warmth, but not for rainy days. Somehow, Old Faithful has been hard to replace.

Old Faithful is now still doing duty as the go-to jacket when re-stocking the cool room at the bowling club bar. 25+ years and it’s been mended and washed thin; it’s not ready to be discarded just yet.