Judith (Waller) McNicol

Story

The reasons for leaving our homeland was for a better life after the war in Europe, and to see our Uncle John Henry whom we (that is my sister Ann and brother John) had never met. Uncle John had seven children and they all lived in and little place called Davidstown near Gosford.

We arrived at the docks at 3.30pm and pass through customs fairly quickly and complete all formalities, the organisation good. Embark aboard H.M.T “Asturias” at 4.0pm. We cast off and commence our 12,000 mile trip. 7.00pm had dinner all very tired. (pm Needles ligh fading away on our Sth quarter. Turned in Dad and brother John on E deck John berth No 1012 and Dad No.1013

Mum Ann and myself where on C deck Mum berth 183, Ann 185 and myself 187 ..The Date was November the 2nd 1949.

We kept busy throughout the trip playing deck tennis and various other types of entertainment.. We passed Cape de Roco the most westerly point of Europe at 4.15pm on the 4th November.

Nov.5th running down the coast of Spain the ranges and mountains shrouded in mist. Passed the Australian Emigrant Ship “Empire Parent” homeward bound. Nov.6th Sunday clocks put forward half hour.Nov.7th Malta visible. Nov.8th blowing hardclocks go forward again 30mins. 9th Nov. 60 miles off shore cannot see much clear sky and blue sea.4.55pm took on pilot and altered cousre for the Port Said. 5.30 passed the statue to the Frenchman who buuilt the Suez Canal. Many wrecks visible in the aproaches, the aftermath of the war.Dark now and tied to a Bouy in Port Said harbour. small craft everywhere absolute bedlam all shouting and trying to sell goods the bargaining continued until after midnight. Nov 10th Underway again and heading for Canal Deserts stretching all around. Saw a caravan of Camels. Nov.11 now East of Suez and in the Red Sea Nov 12 Ran through two storms.

Nov13th Passed a few islands blowing hard. 12 Midnight dropped Anchor in Aden harbour. Nov.14 went ashore in Aden hired a Taxi and drove out to the Oasis and gardens passed the salt flats with their windmills built by Italians. Saw much damage where the buildings and schools of the Jews had been destoyed by the Arabs. The town of Aden appears to have been built in and extinct volcano. on return to the ship I and a bunch of other youngsters swam in Aden harbour had we been older we may never have done it what a filthy harbour, but the young dont see.Nov.15 Now 4923 miles from Southhampton.Nov 16 well into the Arabian Sea. Nov 17 running steadily across the Arabian sea The flying fish watched from the bow are most interesting Nov18 .. Nov. 19 quite a number of fishing craft around 11am anchor in Colombo Harbour. Nov 20th now in the Indian Ocean Nov.21 crossed the equator westher good fine hot. there where celebrations with King Neptune on crossing the equator.Nov22 weather hot some squalls, Nov 23 passing Cocos islands morning warm and sunny Nov 24th much cooler to-day . Nov 25 blowing hard and quite chilly Nov 26 still blowing and sea rough Nov 27 Dad was called out to assist with a flooded cabin. Approaching Fremantle. Nov 28 running down the Australian coast. Nov 29 starting to cross the Great Australian Bight Nov 30 clocks on anothe 30 minutes we had been doing this all the way. Dec. 1 cold and overcast 2.00pm abeam Cape Nelson Dec.2 alongs side in Melbourne Dec.3 Cast off and head for Sydney Sunday Dec.4th setting course for Sydney 4.30 abeam of Montague Island

Dec 5th 1949 Norman Ronald (Mac) McNicol, his wife Noreen (Henry) McNicol and children Ann Veronica McNicol Judith Mary (Waller) McNicol and John Henry McNicol arrived in Australia. and traveled to Davidstown near Gosford in New South Wales to start a new life .

Impressions on Arrival] on the whole pretty good and for us youngsters a whole new adventure though we were all split up for some time untill we were able to obtain a home which we eventually did in Maroubra, from then on things improved dramatically, it is after all what one makes of the changes and the willingness to compromise.

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