On Sundays after breakfast, four of us were required to attend the church service conducted by the captain. We served as ushers, providing passengers with service programs and showing them to their seats. We passed the collection plates and after the service, accompanied by a Purser, returned to the Purser's Office with the collection plates.

On arrival at New York or Southampton, I had to be available to assist at the Purser's Office. Once all the passengers were ashore, we were free to do what we liked. In most cases, it was down to the cabin to get changed in preparation for going ashore. Several of the crew went into the Cunard Diner or Market Diner (opposite Pier 90) for a drink before heading out to other areas. I used to go up 42nd Street to Broadway and have a good look around. This usually included shopping at Woolworth for the prized LP records at $2.70 each. (Many of these records I still have today.) In those days, the exchange rate was $2.75 per pound. On shore, I'd go to different places each time. Harry's was a shop just off Pier 90 where most of us used to purchase our Wranglers and other goods. If Harry's did not have what you wanted, the owner would order it and, sometimes, bring it on board ship the next day!

When you had done 5 voyages, you were entitled to 1 off. I did just that and signed off on August 13, 1957. My total earnings for 2 months and 17 days were £48.1/-; (after deductions, £33.15/8).

Returning on August 27, 1957, (voyage number 11)—this time at £15.15/-per month. I had to change cabins this time. My new accommodation was an 8-berth, inboard cabin on D-Deck, forward. I had the bottom bunk again arranged fore and aft. I was still a Commis Waiter within the First Class restaurant and soon picked up where I left off.

By now, I had another "sideline" on the go; taking nylons back from New York. They were in demand with the young ladies of Southampton. I would buy them for $1.00 a pair and sell them in Southampton for £10/- a pair. Another sideline was purchasing Wranger or Lee jeans for the lads back in Southampton. They wanted them soft and light-blue. The ones I bought in New York were stiff and dark blue. The remedy was to hang them in the showers, allowing water to run through the jeans for a very long time. Although this worked, other crew members began to do the same. At times, the showers were full of jeans being washed so this was stopped.

Not to be outdone, I tried another method: slipping a long, thin rope down one leg and back up the other on several pairs so that I ended up with a double rope in my hand. This rope was tied to the railing with the jeans trailing over the stern. This not only worked, it worked in double-quick time compared to the shower method.

The down-side was the risk of losing the entire lot if the rope gave way! When you pulled them back on board, they were often twisted around each other and after untangling the mass, you had to wash the sea water out of them, so they ended up in the shower for a quick rinse. It worked; the lads in Southampton were pleased with the result and I was making a small profit (but not enough to become a millionaire).

Harry's shop was still my place to buy gear. You could also barter with him which made shopping fun, especially when several of us would go in together and really get him confused.

There was always something to do—shows to see and places to visit while we were in New York. Athough it was not a quick turnaround (arrived Monday; sailed Wednesday) the ship still needed to be made ready for her return voyage. After another 5 voyages were completed, I took 1 off. Signing off on November 5, 1957, my total earnings for 2-1/3 months amounted to £46.18/-; (after deductions, £40.18/-).