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regret having paid extra for the voyage. All other comrades had to sleep either in the hold or on deck and had a very rough night. It rained and the wind was very strong, and the steamship, apparently built very shallowly so as to clear the shallows, rolled and pounded considerably. So those on deck were drenched and those below suffered because either they were seasick themselves or their neighbour was. Thus, as stated, the voyage was not a pleasant one for the other but at least it only lasted 18 hours.
Loading of our luggage, which, small and large, had taken up 3 freight wagons, took 2-3 hours and we didn’t leave the quay until 2pm. Major Sands, who had accompanied us, now bade us farewell and our ‘’much loved’’ Capt. Griffiths took charge. His authority again was non-existent so that the Pommies, who came along as guards, lasted just until dusk before they misbehaved. Once it was dark, they seated themselves in the ladies’ lounge, reserved for ‘‘paying passengers’’, and