Friday 7 September 2012

Finally on Our Way

At 10h00 on 22 January 1953, the caravan was hitched up to the Land Rover and half an hour later, we pulled away from the forecourt of our old garage business, having first filled up with fuel!  The local press were on the spot to take photographs of us, huddled up in our thick duffel coats; we went on our way through a slight drizzle, to remind us that we were still in England!
Checking the tyre pressures
Luckily for me, Mum kept a diary of the complete trip, which now makes relating the following part of my life so much easier.  I will leave it in dated diary form to give an idea of the time we were on the road.


David behind the camera, taking us just about to depart.

Smiling faces all round.
David, Dulcie, Diane and Don

The journey to the coast was very slow and arduous, what with the weight of the Land Rover and the heavily laden caravan towed behind.    Nevertheless, we arrived at Southampton by 13h30, where we decided to have a meal before proceeding to Dock 101 with the caravan.    The documentation caused very few problems and after obtaining all the necessary receipts and documents for the van, we made our way to the hotel for the night.   None of us wished to go out, as the fog was moving in rapidly, so after a meal, we decided that an early night was in order.    Before retiring, a few postcards were sent off, as from here on we were not sure when we would have time to keep the correspondence up to date, not to mention the fact that once in Africa we did not know when we would even find a post office! 
Mileage 0000
23 January 1953 arrived with a bang!   This would be the last time we would see England again for some time.   The ferry only left at 19h00, so the day was spent in Southampton, where we tried to enjoy the last day of a British winter.    The afternoon was spent in a cinema, much the warmest place!   We then collected the final papers for the car from the AA.   These had been sent straight to Southampton from Bristol, as we had rushed everyone at the last minute.    Last minute phone calls to both our families were made to say a final goodbye and we were ready for our departure to the docks.  The Customs officials wished us 'God Speed' and told us that the last people that they knew of who had tried our trip  had not been seen or heard of since!!  Just the sort of news we needed at this stage of our journey and it cheered us up no end (!), but undeterred we went aboard and watched the Land Rover being loaded by crane.   
Hmmm, not quite like driving on to a ferry, as is taken for granted these days!
After a meal, we went to our cabin where we bunked down for the night.   Very little sleep was expected; what with the engines throbbing and the mounting excitement, how could anyone expect to sleep properly with the thought of what lay ahead of us.   

To be continued :-) 


I have put this section of my life story on Kindle if you should be interested:-
 THE GREAT 1953 TREK
See


14 comments:

  1. I'm so glad I found your blog in time to read about your trip through Africa.

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    1. Graham I hope that you enjoy it as much I am writing it. I think once Africa is in your blood it never releases its hold! Diane

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  2. I'm savoring every word. Looking forward to the next leg of the trip. What a beautiful family portrait!

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    1. rosaria I love that photo of the family, one of my favourite possessions. Glad that you are enjoying the trip, take care Diane

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  3. I just think it's brilliant that you have photos of your trip! Where did the ferry take you? And how long was the Ferry journey? Or am I jumping ahead a bit?

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    1. Awena you are jumping ahead a bit, but this was the first ferry trip and it was from Southampton to Le Harvre in France, just an overnight trip. Glad that you are enjoying the story. Take care Diane

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  4. This is just a week before my mother was born. Love how you chronicle your life's story!

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    1. Chubskulit, that makes me sound very old now LOL, glad you are enjoying the real life story. Diane

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  5. You are so blessed to have experienced such a life adventure Diane.

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    1. Linda I am just glad that I was old enough to appreciate it. Diane

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  6. Oops I nearly missed your update on the trip. Our similarities are uncanny. Diane and David siblings with David being the eldest. (how many years apart? we were 5 years apart. You left England for another country only 4 years after us. Your mother left you a diary of the trip, so did mine. You still have photos of those times like me. Loving your story.

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    1. diane b I also find it quite amazing re the similarities. I was 9 and David 16 so 7 years between us. What's more both countries we emigrated to were South of the equator and both started with an A :-) Diane

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  7. Thank you for one more chapter. The family portrait is lovely!

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    1. Thanks JM, it is a photo that is quite dear to my heart. I have very few of the four of us. Diane

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