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We were there for a while by the looks of what was happening in the
Suez, but we never did get called up there to defend it. Or any other place
come to think of it. We did get to visit Port Elizabeth, and East London,
two good runs ashore, but only because of the English community there that
invited us ashore. From there we had a quick trip up the east coast to a
place called Inhambane in Mozambique. Here we were treated to a display
of tribal dancing by what looked like big tall Zulu warriors. Unusual to
say the least, but I was happy to get back on the bus, and head back to
town for a pint.
Veryan Bay at Port Elizabeth South Africa
As we would be in Simonstown for a while, the skipper
said that each watch could have a five-day leave pass. This we could spend
in Capetown, and we were told that there would be plenty of room at the
Naffi in town. So after scraping together a selection of civvies, which
we were allowed to go ashore in, we were off to town for our first real
break.Yes we were off to spend what money we may have saved up, and an extra
bob or two we got for leave pay. There was a dance organised for the crew,
and it was here I met a lovely lass who just happened to be the sister of
a very famous South African boxer at that time. His name was Eddie Thomas,
and believe it or not, when I met their mother for the first time, without
knowing who I was or having been told. Asked me if I was related to Jimmy
Caruthers the Australian Boxer. Not realising also that in the not too distant
future I would emigrate to the land of Oz.
The coloured people celebrated Christmas and New Year, in a big way;
in the Cape, they had street parades with all sorts of bands and dancers.
It was a smaller version of the Mardi Gras they have in Rio. We had a great
spot on one of the hotel balconies, so we seen the whole thing, while as
we Scotsmen say. We brought the New Year in. That leave break seemed to
do wonders for the moral of the crew. Just what the doctor ordered you might
say.
After a couple of more trips around the cape etc. its was back to the
dockyard, for a cleanup before our lengthy final voyage back to the UK and
home. I spent a few weekends with the Thomas Family, and the last night
we were in port before sailing, was also the same night that Elvis made
his debut to the movie screen, this is when they screened Love Me Tender.
Not being an Elvis fan I didn't think I would like it. But seeing as some
of the Crew were invited as guests to the Premier of it, how could we knock
it back. So with all hands at their stations, on that early Sunday morning,
we set sail for the long trip up the west coast back to Plymouth.