Following a wonderful time as 3rd.Purser on  R.M.S Pendennis, Windsor and S.A.Vaal, I transferred to cargo ships.

At one point I found myself witnessing the early stages of the outbreak of war between Iran and Iraq, whilst alongside at Al Fal , on the Shat al Arab river. Sitting on the sundeck in the evening watching rockets and shells firing from one country to the other whilst sipping Tequila Sunrises !

Needless to say  we left for Basrah and beyond at the earliest opportunity.  I was also fortunate to visit Mogadishu, in Somalia before the majority of the world had even heard of it !