JOURNAL - 1976 - MARCH

DIARY 2.5: March - June 1976

8 March (postmark)

Thanks for your letter, this one here will be my last from Dunedin. There are three boats I am going to try and catch from Auckland. The first leaves on 22 March, passenger $450; the second leaves on 27 March, passenger $550; the third leaves 29 March, it's a container vessel and I could be a work-a-way with free passage and 20 cents wage a week. Unfortunately, I cannot risk missing the cargo boat and then have to fly, so I'll probably try for the passenger boats first. I had thought it was impossible to work a passage, but we got picked up the other night in a pub by a German captain who took six of us back to his ship and fed us on Schnapps and German beer all night long with his agents and other interesting contacts, one of whom put me onto the right people about working my passage.

I'm leaving in about five days. I shall put a tea-chest on a boat and I would very grateful if somebody could pick it up when it arrives. The papers will be sent to you.

Am having a love affair with an American girl who can beat me at scrabble. Last night we gave a Hangi. This is a Maori traditional way of cooking food. For several hours you heat special river rocks which are then put in a pit in the ground. Sides of lamb and fish and veggies and anything is then put in the pit too and covered with wet sacks. Water is poured on, and then the pit is filled in with earth and left for four hours. And it all came out beautifully - 25 people stuffed themselves gluttonously.

21 March (postmark]

I can't remember if I've asked you collect a tea-chest and suitcase which are being shipped home. I had some things I really wanted to keep, like my suits and 18 volumes of an 1875 Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is all very heavy and may be difficult to transport or even to find somewhere to put, but if you could arrange for them to be brought home I would be ever so grateful.

I am now in Auckland staying with Ed and Jenny, old friends from Hoddesdon, awaiting a boat. My plans are unknown. Perhaps I will sail on Monday, perhaps not.

April 1976

Paul K Lyons

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