My stories of my UK stay

Will be away for a few days goingto my nephews farm Patearoa on the Maniototo Plains more news later

Enjoy the next break Lou!
Cheers
Doc

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Just had to do this haha!
Only in jest mind you,hope to see you Guys again next year!
Alf Too!

Lou Mate, it was a privilege to have you with us. Just sad that it wan't a longer stay and that others were unable to share your time with us here in Southampton, Sorry about the taxi fare, but Southampton just hasn't got the same sense of pride in there Merchant Navy past that I fined in Liverpool. Nor good pub's like the Pen & Wig or the Atlantic
George
in Sothampton

Well i am back after a very nice change of scenery did a bit of fishing but i left the catching them trout to my sons but i did enjoy the short holiday (What am talking about my life is one big holiday).Will finish my stay in the UK now

George and Colin arrived atthe hotel about 9.30 am George drove his car and Colin was the comments man and of we went what to be a very nice day .First ofall they showed me the parts of the city then the lovely harbour i can now understand why they wanted the cruise ship terminal there it is a very big a harbour .One thing i did notice was the large number of Marinas with some very exspensive yachts and cruise boats must be a lot of money in Southampton George or Colin did not show me there boat .Anyhow we carried on and went to a few places that i just cannot remember the names i should have taken notes but anyhow i doubt i would have taken any as i was taken in by what i saw i still cannot remember were we stopped for lunch and the pub were wehad a pint but over all it was a day i will remember .Wev went back to the hotel werewe said our goodbyes as i was leaving in the next morning thanks to George and Colin .If you two every came NZ i would do the same for you

Next day caught the train back to London changed at Clapham Junction then home with only a few days left i went into Teddington and bought a few gifts for my grand daughters and some beer for a little party we was going to have .Ithought i would like to go to the Imperial War Museum it had been closed for a few months as they were doing a lot of alterations .H aving been there a few years earlier i thought it might be a good idea .Iput that on hold for a couple of days as my grand daughter Eva was having a practice for the coming British Junior gymnastic compertions and i did want to see her as she had previous won a gold and silver medals and i felt very proud of her as she was very keen on her practice so with that i went i was amazed how long they practiced for but i was pleased that i went and i think that Eva was too will be coming to the end soon

On the Friday i decided to go to London for the last time so off i went first of all i went to the Trinty Gardens to pay my last respects to my past shipmates of the G|Castle then i crossed the river and went to the War Museum i have said before i had been there a few years ago .As i went past the big 15inch guns of HMS Ramilies i went up the steps to the main door there were two attendents standing there and they told me i had to go to the side door as they were still working on the alterations .Isaid to these guys pointing to the guns i said that Battleship was a escort to a convoy i sailed in in January 1941 they looked at me but i went on my way.I was a bit dissapionted in what i saw but mind there were still a lot of work going on so afterv spending a couple of hours there i went to Waterloo Station to catch the train back home that nighti took my family out for dinner to the Loch Fyne resturant for a very lovely meal then back home Last one coming up

Sunday4th August time to go home after a most enjoyable stay .I met some lovely people specially you guy ex MN i could mention the names but you all know who i refern to .My family took me to Heathrow about 6pm so i would have ample time to get the plane to Singapore .We arrived at the airlline counter i produced my tickets the lady said yes we have a wheelchair for you and a hostess to take you to the customs and security .Said i dont want a wheelchair but i will take the hostess .i will have to finish this part just be back shortly have visitors

Back again having said goodbye to my family the hostess took me thtough the custom no problem but the securitywas a pain in the butt i must have been there for nearly ahour the thing what got them going me over was a couple of earing aid batteries had fallen down inside the pocketof my jacket that i had to take off anyhow that all fixed the hostess took me to the departure lounge and left ( i would have liked to take her home ).At 10pm i board the Air Bus into the Business class and i had a lovely seat .So after 13and half hours we landed in Changi Airport it a wee bit different to 1945 .I had a 3hour wait to catch the plain to NZ after 10and half hours I arrived in CHCH another wait then caught the plane to Dunedin .Iwas getting stuffed but i was back home .I still think that Britain a great Place and the people that i met was very nice .And if i was a lot younger i would have no hesitation of doing the trip again first stop Liverpool the Pen and Wig(upstairs only )and to meet all you ex MN guys again your the tops