Christmas Dinner

[AJ Hawker]

'La Pradera', Arrived Durban SA 17th Dec 1962 with a cargo of Phosphate from Morocco, then to pick up a cargo of sugar for the UK. On Christmas Eve was asked by the Chief Steward to whom you had to obey as i was a lowly cat-boy, to go aboard a Reardon Smith Ship the 'Orient City' that was berthed further in dock, to ask them if they could gives us a sack of potatoes for our Christmas Dinner. Well they did but i had to get back to my ship that was a bit scary as there were a lot of shady people about, was stopped a few times and frisked roughly (was told before hand do not take anything ashore) just hoped they did not want my potatoes, anyway got back safe and sound bit hairy for a 16 year old.

[happy daze john in oz]

There were at that time a number of good pubs, some with eating facilities.
Much better than going ashore for a bag of spuds!
Could have gone down to the 'Play House' great times in there, until they chuck you out that is.

[AJ Hawker]

Did that New Years Day John, just loved the playhouse

[Tony Taylor]

There were at that time a number of good pubs, some with eating facilities.
Much better than going ashore for a bag of spuds!
Could have gone down to the 'Play House' great times in there, until they chuck you out that is.

I have never been to the Play House, was wondering if it was anything like the Mad House (Curacao)

[j.sabourn]

The playhouse in Durban was owned by the same people who ran the Del Monica in Capetown. If you went To either in an inebriated state on regaining your sobriety would have to think hard where you had parked the ship, either Kaapstaad or Durban. Cheers JS

[happy daze john in oz]

We were asked in a somewhat unfriendly manner by a very large non blanco man to leave.
We had intended to reduce their glass washing by drinking the beer from our shoes. Sort of gives a new meaning to 'Full as a boot'.

I think we made our way back somehow to the ship but one of the lads lost both his shoes.
Most likely ended up in the dish washer.

[Jack Moorhead]

i geuss you have been to smugglers on point Rd

[happy daze john in oz]

Before moving berth into the new docks in up town Durban the ships all docked close to the old Whale processing factory, the smell was something else.
The dock gate then was the atrium of the local hotel, The Criterion owned and rune by a Scotsman, a great place to stop for a beer on the way into town.
Problem was one lead to two, to three and before some knew where they were it was beyond them to reach the town.