For a period, I continued working in the pharmacy, where I had done my apprenticeship. I was taking a walk during a lunch break when I met Evan. We had attended Pharmacy School together and became pharmacists at the same time. He informed me that he was about to depart for Europe on holiday and work for a spell.
I decided there was no reason I shouldn't do the same. I sought the Union-Castle Mailship office near where I worked and booked a passage on the Athlone Castle Mail Ship. It so happened that we ended up on the same ship and in the same came cabin—it was nothing like the luxury of today, more like a railway coach with bunk beds.
The journey consisted of a three-week cruise from Durban, South Africa, stopping at East London, Port Elizabeth and Capetown. In 1958, flying to the UK was tedious; it included many refuelling stops along the way and took a couple of days. When I returned to SA by plane 18 months later, I found it a monotonous journey flying for hours just above the African Savannah. In the Congo, the plane was surrounded by troops while it received the necessary servicing. By today's standards, it seems so very mundane. Still, it was quite an experience.
To travel by sea and experience the excitement of the farewells as the ship departed added meaning to life. The bonding and emotions expressed between friends and family were often heartfelt. At the same time, all were allowed on board until the ship departed. The period on the ship allowed time to meet many young, inspiring people with diverse objectives; it was the most exciting.
Our journey terminated at Southampton, where we were given a bus to the Overseas Visitors Club in London. Upon arrival at the Club, I found the place teeming with South Africans and young people worldwide. Evan found a convenient room to rent near the Club in Earl's Court. I didn't have much money and was keen to find a job. However, I was persuaded to join a group of eight South Africans to tour Europe.
I was unwell for the last two days of the voyage and the first 2 or 3 days in London. In the meantime, the trip was planned in my absence. The first I knew of it was that I was to go and collect one of the two hired cars. Visits had been made to the AA and a tour route concluded. The route involved going North from Calais in France where we landed in Stockholm in Sweden. From there, back down South through Central Europe via Switzerland, Austria and as far as Sorrento in Southern Italy. We were to return to London via the French Rivera. In all, we travelled 8000 miles in 8 weeks.
Everybody had prepared themselves for the journey except me. On the way to collect the car, I hurriedly visited an ex-army supply shop and purchased a “less than appropriate” sleeping bag. I had no idea what I was about to encounter and had to put up with it for the rest of the trip.
