Xmas Eve 1955m#

[Captain Kong]

The night before Xmas Eve 63 years ago I was a 20 year old, staying at the Sailors Home in Liverpool, I was about to join and Sail on Christmas Eve on Cunard`s MEDIA for New York.
I just had a few shillings in my pocket so I went up on Lime Street for a couple of pints, only one shilling a pint then.but the Pubs closed at 10pm.
At 10 pm out of the Big House, and to the Punch and Judy outside Lime Street Station for a coffee before going back to the Sailors Home for an early night, had to be on board for 8am.
A young attractive lady, Carol, got talking to me. she says , "If you come home with me and decorate my lounge for Christmas you can stay the night with me. "
I thought , It sounds better than the Sailors Home , and just stick up a few Decorations I would soon be in bed with her,/.
"Yes , that will do nicely" I said,
So with my last five shillings I paid for a Taxi to Aigburth where she lived, and as I walked into the Lounge, SHOCK , HORROR,
it had 15 rolls of wall paper, packets of paste, tins of emulsion paints and gloss paints, step ladders,.
She then says , "Dont make too much noise I will be asleep, call me when you have finished.
I had a two inch brush to paint the ceiling with, no rollers in those days.
I worked like a maniac all night, By 7,AM I was nearly in tears with frustration, I had to get to the ship on the far side of Liverpool by 8am.
I woke her up, got to go. She gets up and starts shouting , `You have Not finished it, there are three rolls of Wall Paper to do yet and not finished the painting what am I going to do. `
I said "Get some other sucker to do it. I have to go, and can you lend me one and sixpence for the Bus Fare and the fare on the overhead to the dock.?"
She gave me the money. and I left , I was totally worn out, no sleep and a long sailing day ahead of me,

I was a very tired but much wiser man. .

So if you read this Carol, You still owe me.!

[Frederick Lacey]

Got me wondering where I was at that time. was on the "Port Napier" at sea not far from OZ or NZ,
can't remember which...
Left Liverpool 5th Dec '55, arrived back Vic Docks 27th May '56.

[Ken Trehearne]

Great event Capt and well written. Not so sure Carol owes you though as you failed to complete the oral contract.

Fred's comment on his whereabouts while you were feverishly wielding the 2" brush got me thinking. I was safely home at Worcester having left the Edinburgh Castle on 16 December and rejoined on 28th. That was the second Christmas of my married life so where else would one be? (And she's still with me)
Ken T
R412277