Sadly, Mr Dodderyoldfart passed away this morning.
He will be sadly missed, and I'm sure this is heart wrenching for his family.
We pass on our sincerest condolences.
From the boffins.
Simon's Lament (after he had to fill some cracks in the road on Mt Messenger)
Simon to a tee.
"And it was the feast of St. Patrick and there was much rejoicing throughout the land.
At the fourth hour the Prophet Burnard ran from his tent and cried, "A voice has called unto me from on high, The Mount of the Messenger has been rent in two, and will swallow all the things of the earth."
And great was the lamentation and weeping.
And the people saith unto the Prophet Burnard, "Tell us this is not true, for surely we will all be swallowed up.
And he sayeth, "Truly the words have come down from on high, from the Wise Ones, The Mountain is split asunder.
And he bade his disciple Simon to take up the sacred tar pot, and some of the finest sand, and he said, "Have Faith, Take thee to the mountain and heal the rent, that all may be saved.
And Simon took up the sacred tar pot and some of the finest sand and mounting his Isuzu he hastened to the Mountain.
And he travelled swiftly though his mount was of great age and had travelled to all corners of the kingdom many times.
And he poured the tar pot into the rent, and sprinkled sand and made the sacred incantations.
And his wife, who was returning from afar, saw him, and stopped, and mocked him, saying "Thou Fool, what art thou doing in this deluge with sand and a filthy black pot, for thy friends are feasting and making merry,
But Simon had faith and poured the holy tar pot, and lo the rent was healed, and the Mountain was joined as one.
And being of great thirst, he hastened to the Inn, and gave thanks and there after spoke in tongues, and layeth in the gutter.
And his wife said, "Truly thou art a great and aged fool, For thou drinketh the foul black stuff, and thou sprinkleth black stuff on the highway with sand and glowing orbs, and vestments of orange, and I have slaughtered and readied the fatted sausage in your honour, and you eateth not, but have fallen in with all manner of people in drunkenness. And the keeper of the Inn spake, saying thus, "This man hath held the sacred lollypop and knoweth the signs and portents that litter this land, he hath smoothed the afflicted highways, and eased the lot of wayfarers, he feedeth my till, and dribbleth not, unlike the Prophet Burnard.
Let him sleep in thy bed and curseth not, for when the time cometh, and he is called, the heavenly gates may need oiling and the divine pot holes filling and he shall have a golden tar pot and sit at the CEO`s right hand."
To the family my sincerest condolences.
Doddery was a character that I will never forget and will miss. His sense of humour and the articulate nature of the man is highlighted in the piece above.
Our thoughts are with the family and anyone that has had the pleasure of dealing with Doddery over his years of toil on the road.
From all of us at the Awakino Hotel our sincerest condolances. Simon was a true charactor that will not be replaced. A great sense of humour with a wicked touch.
We will miss him deeply.+
The roads just wont be the same
Thanks Doddery for sharing your life with us we are all the richer for it.
From Craig, Margaret and all the staff at the Awakino Hotel
traveling mercies, doddery.......traveling mercies......and may your paths be lined with golden stilettos to light your way.......fondly, s.heels
RIP
He will be missed...
On behalf of our family, Thank you so much Bloggers, we're devastated, He will miss you just as much. Thankyou
Simon we have been regailed with your exploits by a loyal workmate in Garry O'Neil and family. I have often logged on in silence preferring to laugh at the antics of the highway commentator and sit back without comment. you will be missed and remembered. Love to you and your family in this desolate time.
Having only 'discovered' this blog a few short weeks ago, and enjoyed every moment of it since, it is very sad to hear of the passing of its author.
My deep and sincere sympathies go out to family and friends.
And to Doddery, you made me laugh.
Thanks.
I am one of his loving sisters,
we are so sad.
Simon was one of a kind. He lived by his own code and never did the predictable. He was a free spirit and we are very proud he was our brother.
go and hug your kin.
xJane
Gentle, funny, sharp - and utterly delightful.
There's a Doddery-shaped hole in the world tnoight.
At first I thought this must be a hoax.
I've spent an unsettled day wondering about Doddery.
But the rumours are spreading around the internet, Doddery is gone. I hope he's going to pop up any minute now, and shout "Late April fool!!! Gotcha!", but I'm suspecting it won't happen.
I'll miss him, distant, never met friend, sunlit island of the blog archipelago.
Gutted. Choked. Go well Doddery. My condolences to your family.
Only the finest kind of chap goes out and gathers up whitebait for a bloke he's only met online and puts them on a courier to Auckland.
I'm so sorry we can't we have one for the road.
Kind thoughts to your family and friends, Simon.
I can only echo all the others.
I will miss his writing but this is naught to those that knew him and loved him, I wish those the best in these hard times.
He was a cracking fella that made me laff loads, we need more like that.
farewell doddery.
Doddery darling, we loved you, and we will miss you loads.
My condolences to the family.
I met with Simon last year when I came to New Zealand, and he even hosted me at the house -
http://growabrain.typepad.com/ph...6/
pc220104.html
http://growabrain.typepad.com/ph...6/
pc220102.html
http://growabrain.typepad.com/ph...6/
pc220108.html -
We kept in touch since, and I'm saddened to hear of his death.
Farewell Doddery, I hope our paths cross again in the next plane of being.
You certainly changed the shape of NZ, we will miss you.
Oh no! I'm very sad about this. A great chunk of cheer just evaporated out of our landscape. Condolences to the Lindsays and their friends.
This is sad news.
I could not (and shall not) pass a road crew without thinking of Mr Fart and his adventures making smooth life's Road.
Requiescat in pace.
very sad news. One of the highlights and treasures of NZ blogging gone.
He was what blogging is all about.
I'm glad we'll still have his stories, and the good quality roads of the Taranaki.
A goodbye:
http://gritinthegears.blogspot.c...bye-
friend.html
Bugger - and we had only just been introduced. Good luck in the next life, Mr Fart.
Very sad to lose his writings, and my condolences to those who have lost so much more.
He was a "must read" on my daily rounds and his observations of life will be sadly missed. My condolences to his family and friends.
While I never had the pleasure of meeting Doddery, I think he was undoubtedly the nicest blogger around. His perspective was unique, and always with a gentle humour. My thoughts and condolences to his family. He will be missed.
I too thought it might be a hoax.
Bugger, I was hoping to meet up with the old fart when I next visited NZ.
It seems like only yesterday we were offering condolences on the passing of his mum.
This day has sucked chunks.
That was very inconsiderate of him. I liked him.
Simon, been thinking of you all day yesterday and today, too swift your passing, left us all stunned and bereft, you shared wit and wisdom with so many, bugger you, we all wanted more!.
I never met Mr Doddery but really enjoyed his blog and learned a surprising amount from it. My sympathy to all his family.
Every day for the past year and a half I have checked this blog just to see the latest delight Doddery had to offer. His humour was tremendous, his blog was well and truly off the wall. I am truly saddened that he is no longer with us.
Condolences to those at Fart Towers. He was a special man who, through his blog, touched many that he never knew. He will be missed.
He was one of those rare bloggers that kept us coming back for more - condolences to the family - he touched more than most could dream of!!! RIP Doddery - you can hang your keys up now......tis a sad day
Its hard to type thru the tears. Doddery top of my favourites list. So many laughs. I will miss you. My thoughts are with your family.
Doddery was a gentleman with a unique perspective on life. He'll be greatly missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family.
So long, Doddery O. Fart. You were always good for a laugh.
So very sorry to hear this sad news. I never visited half as much as I should have done but it was always a great delight when I did. I'll miss him.
There is a hole in the internet highway that is not going to be filled.
Doddery, thanks for sharing your life, thoughts and humour. You will be missed.
http://rcd.typepad.com/personal/
...bute_to_do.html
Sad To Hear The News.R.I.P.
My Love To Simon's friends & Family.
Tony
I will miss you Doddery. Your humour and unique outlook on life brought a ray of sunshine into my life.
To those you leave behind, my sympathies and love.
Jo
I just heard the news on another blog. Doddery and his sense of humour were one of my lifelines to NZ, and I'm going to miss him.
My heartfelt condolences to all his friends and family. I think it'll be a pilgrimage to the Awakino Hotel one day 
I'm so sorry to hear of Doddery's sudden passing. Condolences to his family and friends.
Simon turned up in the seventies. He had a bus with "we've come to take your daughters" written on the front. I was 9, or so. I found this alarming.
Simon seemed the impersonation of a mythical Sixties. He always said he had been to Woodstock, though we didn't believe him. He introduced my curious family to The Band, Little Feat, Southern Comfort and irony.
He had a way of raising his eyebrow while making deadpan fun of rule followers or hypocrites. That gravelly voice! He called the police PIGS. He orchestrated the smoko snail races at my great uncles plant nursery, where we all worked one rainy school holidays. He had an unusual, reedy, seemingly educated elegance: a Balliol dandy in a corrugated iron shed. Partly this effect was due to wit, vocabulary and timing; partly to his habit of "a cigarette and a look around" for breakfast. He wasn't always kind, when I was young, anyway. But he figured large in our lives. We all knew he was a writer. I didn't even know he had this blog: but its great to read his words, at last!
What a shock!
My sympathies to Chrissie and Alex.
x x Jenny Nicholls
What a shock!
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.
Those of us who have read his blog will miss him.
I was really shocked and saddened by the news (was texted by another friend who is a regular reader).
I will really miss ya Doddery. I wish strength and all the best for your family.
Craig.
I'll miss you old Doddery. I enjoyed hearing about the goings on and things that an everyday person would never think about.
I take the information about roads, like I take the information from my favourite lecturers at University currently.
Condolences to all his family, friends and fellow workers on the road.
I hope where ever you may have gone, that the roads are perfect, you have your truck, you have your "At Home" Road Cone and you never have to go to work until the sun is high in the sky and no clouds in sight.
Matt
God speed mate.
Regards
Bill
I have put up a site in memorial to Simon over here:
http://nzinthesticks.blogspot.com/
I got the idea from his blog.
Now that I have seen it in the paper, I sadly believe, and I am gutted. Didnt know your name or what you looked like but felt I knew you. And you always made it special to go through your winding patch, a road I used to hate after years of carsickness, instead looking with interest at the repairs and progress. I hope you are in your sandpit of toys, and having a ball. Thanks for the entertaining and educational reading you have given us.
I am saddened to hear of Doddery's passing. My condolences to his family.
simon, dodderyoldfart, college,
went to moe(sleep), 30th may 2007
Everyone's man. My love,my ole man of 20 years Chrissie (the Maori maiden) Miss Muffet, Alexandria's darling Dad and father of Ted. Pa of Shannon and Karrn. Dearest brother and mentor of Sally, Jenny, Mary, Mike and baby Jane xxx Awesome uncle of all the Kids. Longtime Mate of Betty, wife No 1. Good mate to a great many. O.K. Bud.
Dodderyoldfart will set sail on the univeral ocean. Dodderys Whanau(family)
I too was saddened to learn of Doddery's passing. With his wit and his eye for a photograph he educated us about things many of us drive past without much thought. My sincere condolonces to his family and friends. His words will be sadly missed.
Simon, my cousin. I am the baby of the Awarua branch of the Lindsay clan. So sad, you are Dave Bruebeck, Take 5, Eagles in Auckland, Nambasa in th 70's when the bus got stuck and heaps more. All our love to the family, wish we could be with you. Marian and co.x
Simon spent a couple of nights at our home in Oz many years ago when the Lindsay clan gathered for a celebration. My earliest memory is of him sitting on our top verandah dispensing pearls of his own brand of wisdom to all who walked passed. We have never laughed so much in such a short space of time since. As they say, the mold was broken after that one was made. Thinking of all of you over there, condolences especially to Chrissie and Pearl. Callala Beach NSW Barker/Lindsay/Talbots xx
I should like to offer my condolences to Doddery's family and friends. His blog was my favourite in all the world, offering humour, education, wit and glimpses of a most beautiful country.
Cousin Simon – it’s too soon! I have a photo of the 4 Lindsay grandchildren at Elles Road when we were all living there - Larry, you, me & Sally. You must have been between 3 & 4 (Sally you were crawling – towards the camera!) It’s one of my favourites.
Those years since, you have touched so many people. Your style was inimitable and there will be many memories & stories to share at this time.
My condolences to Chrissie & Alexandria & thinking of you all. Love from Susan, Les, Tim, Alexandra & Chloe (London)xx
Oh my. I am so sorry. Please accept our condolences from "across the pond" VA/USA - he was fun read, never having personally met him.
You should be awfully proud. I am sorry, so sorry. Truly a great loss.
Hugs to you all.
The SkippyFamily
Simon, say it aint so. I always admired your free spirit. I wish I had known you better as we moved into middle age and old fartdom. I remember you as I listen to Take 5 and Wagner. Farewell cuz. From the oldest of the Awarua Lindsays.
There are no words for this.
I met Simon briefly last year. It was a treat.
My heartfelt condolences to the family.
John
Very sad indeed.
OMG , I have been checking the blog every day but failed to notice the large number of replies to the last post .
D.O.F you have made me smile every day . I now wait patiently at road works , smile and wave to all workers .
I never meet you but have traveled over your roads .
Thank you for your wisdom
You will sadly be missed
Through Simon's fantastic blog, without ever having met most of us readers, or knowing who most of us were, he taught us all an appreciation and respect for those who work very, very hard on the things most of us take for granted, and in a way that very successfuly got, and kept, our attention.
Both through his physical work on State Highway Three, and in the way he connected us to, and taught us all an appreciation of, the humble but hardworking road worker, Doddery has undoubtedly left this world a far better place than when he arrived.
You'll be missed by the many that know you as well as countless hundreds that never got the opportunity to meet you.
Rest in peace,
Just heard. Doddery showed a side of life that I'd never before considered. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.
Dear Simon,
I havent seen you for years but I enjoyed the times we spent together.
Love
Tim
Thinking of you. x
My heartfelt condolences to doddery's whanau and friends.
Well. All one can say is Bugger! I noticed that the Restarea 300 page had not been touched for a few days and I thort O dear I hope not - but - Bugger!
DOF introduced me to the difficulties of a road workers life - and put my importance [self] into perspective.
It is odd in this cyberworld that one can read someone's blogs, consider you have some awareness of their life but then feel an enormous sense of loss when a tragedy such as this happens.
He was a very special person.What a pity that the web dosn't cross the big divide.
My sympathy to immediate family and whanau. He will be very missed.
4Bs Hawkes Bay
Our sympathies go out to doddery's family & friends. His writing always bought a smile to our faces even on the darkest & gloomiest of days - our thanks go to him in spirit for the laughter he gave us.
"A boed hedd gyda thi am byth"
Bryn & Di.
You will be missed...
To the world of blog.
FART-TOWERS, TARANAKI/WAIKATO
Mrs Fart, Miss Fart & Ted-Fart, we extend our love & gratitude to all bloggers relating to this site, Mr Fart was released fitted for a king, 'on his royal lorry he sped, the royal road at his boots, he checked for this, he checked for that, but alas no pot-holes, aghast he was, his journey soon comes to an end but loyal to the road he left some tar, his sail was set as he gathered near, his floating ship calm waters, clear, from Mr Fart one kiss for me, he steered his ship, to the sea."YO HO HO, LET THE WIND BLOW FREE, OH FOR THE LIFE ON THE ROLLING SEA", Captain Doddery's wee tune as he opened up the throttle.
Thank-you, DOFXXX
What a wonderful wealth of emotion Simon is a part of, he was very lucky, and very lucky to have a strong Maori maiden to share love and the love of life and the land around him, and a beautiful daughter to keep his fire burning. You made him very happy, and he was HAPPY! Which is the best gift anyone can receive in this life. It's such a shame he couldn't have had a little more time with you to enjoy it, but a blessing that he had it.
I hope the sea accepts your love as the shining light it was, to guide any misguided sailor towards land, home, comfort and love.
Doddery will not be gone whilst memories of him remain, which will be a long long time. Condolences to his Whanau. A wise man departed too early.
Simon has a quiet dignity I admire and respect. These words spoken by a proud father. chrissie my love to you and Pearl, you made Simon so very very happy. What wonderful memories we all share. Simon and I were married in the 70s and divorced in the 80s we shared with our friends a 3 day divorce party and have remained true friends I'll miss him Bettie
Oh Si, how I miss you.
Thank you so much to all you bloggers, your words are such a strength to us as we lurch our way through each day.
As my sister Jenny said, we have lost our rudder.
Your comments are helping to keep us afloat.
Sis.
Hi Lindsays,
Our thoughts are with you all day. I was gardening today and thinking of Simon wwhen we did a trip to Stewart Island after Rich's wedding in Invercargill.When we got back to the "Mainland" we all hopped on the bus and went up the West Coast. Wonderful days. love always, Marian Moo
I've posted a few ditties for Simon over at YMBFA
Still in our thoughts
J
Late to the wake. I thought Doddery must have been on vacation only just now noticed all of the posts.
I'll miss him, his photograph, his philosophy, and his wit. My condolences to his family.
I have been an avid daily reader, save that I was away on leave in Aus, so only just learned of this today. A great shock.
Simon's site contains much useful information about the SH3 and SH4 highways, particularly, topical photographs and observations on incidents and accidents. There is much marvelous humour, but it is all work-safe.
The daily updates and archives alike, provide valuable alternative learning about the highway and environs and the human-pattern interface with the highway.
Sadly missed.
OJ
Why do I keep checking for new posts?
Can't bring myself to delete RA300m from my bookmarks.
I came across this blog a couple of years ago when I was in the UK and home sick for a little place called Tongaporutu. I have been a dedicated follower since then. Doddery (Simon) was my link to home and i am forever greatful for that.
Just found out. Bit stunned.
My sincerest condolences to all at Fart Towers.
I'm glad to see this site still here a year later.
Isnt it funny but I still visit to check on the Old Fart. His words still hold a great degree of sense.
It is a wonderful record of the life and times of a roadworker in Mokau/Awakino.
I hope he got his Digger park to play in
Dig in Peace Simon
Doddery is missed even now a year and half later. If the internet gods have any sense, Rest Area 300 will remain as a permanent signpost on the info superhighway. This is a slice of history. Hopefully people will keep it living by adding comments on all of DoF's bytes of wisdom.
Is the Larry Lindsay mentioned in the above blogs and relation of Simon the same Larry that lived in Melbourne for a while was marine negineer on Hayman Island and has a sister called Sally who also lived in Melbourne during the early seventies?
Nice to see that Doddery's blog here is still up&running!The Spirit Lives On !
Still going- good to see!
The Memorial site I put together keeps on growing:
http://nzinthesticks.blogspot.com/
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