Photo brought back fond memories of trip

May 29 2008

I was reminded of my trip on the SS Nevasa in 1968 when the photograph of the Craigbank School party was published in last week’s Advertiser.

From memory, the 10-day excursion cost £98 (which was paid up in the months prior) and the trip covered Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Visby in Sweden.

We were let loose at 12 years of age in each of these cities as long as at least two of us stuck together and we were back by the appointed time.

There were no further restrictions and everyone appeared comfortable with this particular arrangement.

I remember wanting to bring my mother back ‘something’, which turned out to be a well-honed serving knife, made in Sheffield.

I returned home tanned and safe, very well fed but not having had much sleep.

My gift did not set off a security alert and we appeared to move off the ship and straight onto the bus for home.

The place that made the knife is probably long closed and relocated to Eastern Europe.

Graham H. Laird, Duncansby Drive, High Blantyre.