Sunday 14 October 2012

Algiers



January 31 1953 (Saturday)
Dad got up at 07h15 and took the Land Rover to the local garage, where he could leave it for servicing, before returning for breakfast.   It was a beautiful day again, and we were glad that we had bought our sunglasses.   I decided that I would like to stay in the gardens at the hotel, while the others all went into Algiers to do some last minute shopping.   They purchased 4 topis ( rigid tropical hats) which amused me on their return; we wouldn't get sunstroke and why shouldn't we look like Big Game Hunters!?   They also took the latest batch of films, taken in France and Algiers, to be developed.   We had a new camera and wanted to make sure that everything was in order.   It would have been a disaster to arrive at the other end of the journey to find we had a whole load of blanks to look at! Nothing could have been much worse than not to have a record of the incredible trip we were about to undertake.   Who would believe that we had even done it?   At least, this would give us some time to rectify any mistakes that we may have made.   Mum and David then came back to the hotel, while Dad went off to collect the Land Rover.   At this stage, with what currency we had left on us, we needed to step lightly as we could not afford to get caught out by an emergency.    Not easy to draw money from the bank in the middle of the Sahara Desert!
In the grounds of the St George Hotel Algiers, David, myself and Mum.
February 1 1953   Land Mileage 0734
The beginning of a new month – we all wondered where we would be at this time the following year.   
We took a few photographs, then Mum, Dad and I went to the lovely little English Church just down the road, for the morning service.    Unfortunately, we seemed not to have taken any photos of the church! Afterwards we went for a stroll and admired the Arab women in their Moslem dress.  In the afternoon we went and had a look around the very interesting museum and from there, into the park to watch the children at play.  
On the steps of the Museum in Algiers.
The fountain at the museum.
and some of the children playing nearby.
There was a small  boating lake in the park and the children were having great fun sailing their boats.   One over-enthusiastic child overstepped the mark and went in head first, but apart from being a little wet and getting a fright, no harm was done.    On our return to the hotel, we got talking to the doorman, who had been there on our previous visit.   He was very interested in our forthcoming trip, but without saying so outright, he was obviously of the opinion that we were definitely not right in the head and the whole thing was a pretty foolish idea.   Maybe he was right, reading the following.......
This is an extract from the 1948 edition of the A.A. Trans African Highways Book, the book which we used to plan our route from Algiers to Kano!    "An official statement issued by the British Foreign Office in December 1947 declared that 'it is sheer folly to attempt the Trans-Sahara journey without adequate knowledge and resources'.   Evidently this is a venture not to be undertaken lightly"   The 1947 statement also gave advice re vehicle and food and the following four points are made.  1) a high ground clearance and wide section low pressure tyres are essential.   (The latter are required for driving through the sand).   2) for getting out of soft sand, sandmats or equivalent, shovels, a few planks and rope must be carried.  Tinted sand goggles, compass and first-aid outfit are indispensible (We did not have the planks, but we had the remainder with us).  3) besides adequate repair outfits, it is advisable to carry a reasonable amount of spares for the more exposed portions of the vehicle  4)   do not start if the sun is on the radiator and there is a following wind.  I presume that the latter had something to do with over heating but......
February 2 1953
Monday morning and off to the A.A. for the required signatures.   We were there for two hours (!) and still had to go back there again in the afternoon.  It was a good job that we had not planned to leave immediately after the visit.  We went back to the hotel and generally tidied up the Land Rover to make sure that everything was in the right place, as we wanted to leave first thing the following morning.   In case of problems, we did not want to waste time searching for the item required!   After seeing that everything was in order, Mum and Dad went back to the A.A. to get the letter for the S.A.T.T.  They also collected the agreement for us to cross the Sahara Desert and handed over all necessary money in payment for the required permissions.
They then bought all the necessary stores and plenty of tinned food.   The storekeeper was apparently amazed by all the food that we were buying; little did he know we would probably not see another general store for some time in the future!  The fuel tanks were then topped up and the water tank on the roof filled to capacity.   I had stayed at the hotel during this shopping expedition and the collection of forms and was eagerly awaiting their arrival back.   I was ready to start moving and really get the trip underway!  Together we packed all the food away and as much as possible of the other items we had into the Land Rover, to save time in the morning.    We had a really good meal that night at the hotel, knowing that from here on we would be eating tinned food and army rations for some time to come.  We also had a fairly early night to enjoy a comfy bed; the next comfort after this was a thing of the future.   It could be days, but on the other hand it may well be weeks.   I think that we were all far too keyed up with the prospect of what was going to happen on the morrow, that proper bed or not, none of slept very well.   Our thoughts wandered off in many directions before sleep finally caught up with 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


18 comments:

  1. Diane, have you thought of writing a book? I would buy it! :-) Look at the cactus behind you on the top shot.

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    1. JM my original idea was to write a book, but so many people have told me that trying to find a publisher is a night mare, publishing yourself is not that cheap, could I do it? The story is really not that long so I would have to embellish it, what with, I am not a writer. This is why I have put the 'Trek' on to Kindle in what were my Mum's words. You can download to computer and iPod as well as kindle. On the blog I am trying to put more of my life story into my own words, but it is still not very long. Also the blog has far more family photos than on the kindle. I am happy though that you are enjoying it. Strangley enough my later life is going to be more difficult as I did not keep diaries and my memory fades in places!! Yes that cactus is huge :-) Diane

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  2. So interesting! I love the photos too!
    I'm off to see about getting your book now. I don't have kindle...I wonder if I can download it another way?

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    1. Ann you can download it to the computer, iPad etc so far as I understand. I have a kindle so I have not tried, but others seem to have successfully done it. Hope you succeed and enjoy. Sadly on the kindle all the photos are at the end and there are not so many as will end up on the blog as I am using some more personal ones here. Have a good day Diane

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  3. Diane, this is a treasure trove of history and adventure! What a brave family you were, and how organized and forthright you were.

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    1. Rosaria I am often amazed at what my parents took on with two small children, but they had lots of guts and dreams. Thankfully all went well for them. Take care Diane

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  4. Hi Diane,

    I had the same question as JM about you writing a book, as your story is captivating. I understand your reasons for not doing it, though. I am glad that you are sharing your story and your precious photos. I would think that what you are doing motivates people/readers to also share meaningful parts of their life.

    Have a good week.

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    1. Awena you know my answer but I hope that people will read it here. It would be great if more people were motivated by this blog. Hope your week is a good one. Diane

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  5. What is the best? The story or the pictures?
    The mix is so perfect!

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    1. Andrea, thanks for the kind comment, I hope that I can keep up the photographic side of this blog! I am looking now for photos that have been hidden away for some time and certainly not in the kindle book. I hope that I can keep them up, thank goodness my Mum was pretty good about labelling!!! Have a good week Diane

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  6. I have been looking forward to your Algiers memories Diane, and really enjoyed this chapter. I can hear the excitement in your voice as you write. I quite like the photo of the children playing, and the one of your family on the stairs to the Museum. I adore tiles, and those are exquisite.

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    1. Dolly thanks for taking the time out to read and comment, I know how busy you are at the moment. There were not that many photos taken at Algiers this time so it seems, there were more in the trip in 1951. Hope that Uni is going well, take care Diane xx

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    2. Diane, it is a pleasure to read your post as a break from studying Anglo-Saxon military society, which is interesting enough! Your great expedition has me completely hooked.

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    3. Thanks Dolly, I hope I can keep up to your expectations!!

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    4. Dear Diane, I cannot believe how far behind I am in the saga! It was lovely to reread this as you know I have an interest in Algeria. Look forward to catching up over the summer hols as & when I am near a computer! XX Dolly

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    5. Dolly I hope you manage to catch up, now I am way behind with the holiday and also trying to find photos!! Keep well Diane xx

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  7. I have fallen behind in my blog reading since I went away. I will be catching up as soon as possible. Love the photos in this chapter. Your parents were certainly adventurous and courageous but they must have been quite confident of success to have taken 2 children on this trip.

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    1. Diane I don't think that either of them ever thought about things not working out, they were both very positive people and very adventurous. As for David and myself, we never thought any of this was out of the ordinary at the time, only as we grew older did we realise what my parents had taken on :-) Diane

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