Boys in the Hood

Four of my favourite visitors to Polresta remand jail and here at Kerobokan Prison have been Molly and Max Raymond, and Olivia and Jacob Bolwell, the teenage offspring of Jason and Pam, and Stu and Cathy respectively.

I could make a joke here about how they managed to produce such lovely kids, but it would be half hearted as the Raymond/Dorrian and Bolwell parents have been amazing friends and supporters — incredibly kind, generous and caring.

Without wanting to sound patronising, the youngsters’ questions during visits have always been among the most challenging, and it is interesting to see their reaction when they realize many of my fellow inmates are little older than they are.

I wonder sometimes if their folks are bringing them along to say “see, you’ll end up like Fox if you don’t wise up your act”, but if I can be a good “bad” role model, then at least I have some purpose.

I was very moved on Wednesday when, separately, both Jacob and Max came to visit.

I was telling Jacob and his folks about how someone had stolen my flip flops and how difficult it was to get a pair of size 45s when he said “that’s my size” and promptly whipped off his spanking new “Fippers” and gave them to me through the bars of the visiting centre, and went home barefoot.

In Polresta, prisoners were not allowed any footware (an escape-foiling ploy) and so my feet hardened up considerably, although there wasn’t far to walk for three months.

Here you can walk for hours, but the pathways are grubby and I’ve already had to fend off a dose of athlete’s foot. When not in use, my whizzbang new flip-flops are now hidden under my bed.

A short while later Max showed me a booklet he had produced for a school project called “The Birder’s Book of Bali”, featuring fifty or so of the most notable species to be found here.

Many of you know I’ve always been a keen birder — although not quite a twitcher — but I’m not sure Max was aware of this.

I’m afraid I had a bit of an eye leakage moment when I came across the dedication in the front of the book.

“To Fox, a friend who will never leave my heart, keep doing what you do”. – Max

Thank you so, so much boys. You really are wonderful, and a great credit to your parents.