I've somewhat fallen out of the loop in recent times, but kept in sporadic touch with Phoenix, the last chat being in July.
Life wasn't so easy for him in later years, yet he kept a sense of optimism which was heartening to observe when so much was ganging up against him. Like others, the road he allowed his mind to travel down often wandered far away from anything I could keep up with, but even when not getting where he was coming from, there was a humour and confidence that he knew what he was talking about. I loved all his little gems of wisdom, and sometimes bottle-inspired meanderings. He was a true gent.
Here are some photos taken back in 2004. Peenix (as I called him) had been rather successful in the raffle!
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Rest well, Peenix. It was a privilege to have known you.