Travelling Without a Passport

[Twocky61]

When I was in my late teens I used to hitch-hike around the uk. A guy gave me a lift going to Aberdeen so I went there with him. I never stated a destination on my piece of cardboard just M6 North so I didn't commit myself to a destination. He would say where he was going & I would say that's brilliant I'm going there too

So this occasion I went to Aberdeen. He told me if I wanted to go further that I should go to the dockside and ask a ships captain if I could work my passage to the country they are going to

I asked quite a few captains until one said that if I came back in an hour he would take me. I duly arrived back in an hours time. As we travelled across the sea I cooked & washed the dishes. I was officially (voluntary) the ships cleaner

The ship stopped off with supplies at an oil rig. The ship/boat was an oil rig supply ship.

Anyway we eventually arrived at our destination. I asked the crew I had not got a passport but they said to go assure with them & just not return as the ship would not wait if I was late

I did just that. I came across a homeless nigh shelter where I volunteered and went lout in the vans serving the homeless with soup & sandwiches

I eventually arrived back in th UK the same way I had arrived in Denmark

[staffslad]

Re: Travelling Without a Passport

That's a great experience, Twocky. Can I ask roughly how long ago this happened?

[Twocky61]

Re: Travelling Without a Passport

Late seventies; I was eighteen at the time

[Twocky61]

Re: Travelling Without a Passport

In the homeless shelter we used to go out in teams (three of us) in various Transit vans giving out soup sandwiches & blankets. Those who agreed we took them back to the homeless hostel for a few nights while we checked up on them with the police to see if they had been reported as a mis-per & to contact their parents or the local authority who had them in their care

Abigail & I & Kurt our driver had our van & we went out every night the same as other vans. Abigail & I began a relationship over the months we were there & one occasion Abigail invited me to her parents for the weekend. I hired a car for the occasion

Our relationship ended abruptly some months later. I woke to find her beside me & a note

Enough said

[staffslad]

Re: Travelling Without a Passport

The 70s were a different world That's a great memory to have.

[Twocky61]

Re: Travelling Without a Passport

There are quite a few

But I'll leave it there lest I bore the socks off you lol

[Newant]

Good luck now with the UK out of the EU. Not that pleasant to travel anymore, not to mention that we are not even allowed to go on vacation as per Boris. I'm actually feeling really frustrated with the whole pandemic handling of this government and the ridiculous abandonment of all relations with the EU. I have a friend who lives in the US and will never have any issues visiting any European country while I will be required to present a E-visa soon. On the other hand you have American and Canadian free passport borders which is so convenient. They don't have to show any documentation as long as they are enrolled in the program.