This story is related through the eyes of a Liverpool lad born in 1945 to mixed parentage. It reminisces through his journey of life from early childhood days through the innocence of youth, into adulthood. Thrust from the comforts of a happy family home into the Merchant Navy and onto an adventurous roller coaster ride, encompassing highs and lows and the inevitable relationships along the way.
It takes the reader to far flung exotic ports, in South America, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Pacific Islands and to the distant shores of New Zealand, stirring memories with a cocktail of emotions, fun filled, happy, exciting, sometimes difficult and very often painful.
Prologue
I was tired bruised and dirty; blood was running down my chin, the taste of fresh blood filled my mouth and I was half sitting half lying on the floor.
Seconds before, after being questioned about who I was I had answered truthfully that I was, only in overnight and the suit I was wearing was mine. Next a shout of "LIAR!" followed quickly by a blow to the mouth, knocking me cleanly off the chair. The unexpected fall to the floor didn't give me time to react. A sickening crunch was felt to the back of my head as it hit the wooden panelling on the wall, the effect of which seemed to reverberate through my whole body. Dazed and shocked I looked up at the large overweight ginger haired official standing over me. His fists were clenched and his face was getting redder by the second. He then again accused me of pinching a warder's suit to try to escape.
I prepared to defend myself from the next onslaught.
How had I got into this mess? It seems so long ago now…
It takes the reader to far flung exotic ports, in South America, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Pacific Islands and to the distant shores of New Zealand, stirring memories with a cocktail of emotions, fun filled, happy, exciting, sometimes difficult and very often painful.
Prologue
I was tired bruised and dirty; blood was running down my chin, the taste of fresh blood filled my mouth and I was half sitting half lying on the floor.
Seconds before, after being questioned about who I was I had answered truthfully that I was, only in overnight and the suit I was wearing was mine. Next a shout of "LIAR!" followed quickly by a blow to the mouth, knocking me cleanly off the chair. The unexpected fall to the floor didn't give me time to react. A sickening crunch was felt to the back of my head as it hit the wooden panelling on the wall, the effect of which seemed to reverberate through my whole body. Dazed and shocked I looked up at the large overweight ginger haired official standing over me. His fists were clenched and his face was getting redder by the second. He then again accused me of pinching a warder's suit to try to escape.
I prepared to defend myself from the next onslaught.
How had I got into this mess? It seems so long ago now…
