The book is basically an account of the lives of two people from the age of 17, to mature adulthood. The many problems that were overcome. The varied ways in which difficulties of relationships were dealt with and in most cases resolved. The lifestyle of members of the military in the early part of the book, and dealing with major problems of separation over great distances such as Christmas Island, and emigration to Australia. The difficulties of first of all being married with small children and travelling the world, often at short notice, and to unstable and often dangerous countries.