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As a small child, FJ Thwaites, an Australian author, planned a trip from his hometown (Wagga Wagga) overland (well except for the ocean parts) to London. His grandmother humoured him.
Many years later, living in London with his wife and children, Thwaites began to think again about this trip he planned, albeit in reverse. The vehicle he chose for this trip was a Hillman Husky - all 10 horsepower of it!
Having arranged servicing in every country along the way through the Rootes Group network (the manufacturer and distributor), they set off. Thwaites long suffering wife (or was he the long suffering one?) and younger son Roger accompanied him, while his elder son Garry (at 14) stayed in London at some sort of junior naval academy.
They set off on April 12, 1954. At first through Europe as far as Italy it is fairly typical of car touring in the era. Yugoslavia was their first real test, and Thwaites wife had always had plenty of concerns around the Communist country, and their ability to survive it. Roads were suddenly very poor compared with Western Europe. With only a few incidents to concern Jessica, they made it through, although the roads were a concern with the low clearance of the Husky.
The roads in Greece and Turkey were again better, and then Syria, Lebanon and then back into Syria again. In Syria there was much dismay at their plans to travel on through the Jordon-Syria desert. It was here that the Husky was tested to its limits. Sand storms and sand drifts over the road were particularly risky, and running out of water in these conditions was a likely death sentence. However, the Husky managed, albeit only just, and with risk. Iraq also threw up poor road conditions and also some complexities with the triptyque (carnet for the car and equipment).
The intense heat and hard travel through the desert had taken its toll on Jessica and Roger, and with both unwell, they were booked onto a ship to take them to Bombay, while Thwaites was to continue on through Persia. It turned out that Jessica was quite unwell, and that the doctor recommended Thwaites remain with her, so assist in her ‘complete rest'. So a berth on the ship was secured for Husky - a complicated matter to be worked through.
From Bombay, they recommenced travelling south to the tip of India, and onto a ferry to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) where they spent a little time before they board the ship for Fremantle (Western Australia). As Jessica and Roger have suffered some relapse of their illness, they continue by ship to Melbourne, while Thwaites disembarks and sets off across the Nullabor. Accompanying him is an acquaintance who was also on the ship.
Crossing the Nullabor has always been a hard trip - especially before the road was sealed, but the year Thwaites undertook the crossing they had unprecedented heavy rain, flooding the dirt track which for most of the time is bone dry. The trip was some of the hardest miles on the whole trip, with Bill Tulley made to wade though the flooded areas to determine viability of Husky making it through.
Eventually they made the rendezvous with Jessica and Roger, and completed their trip. Husky became a sort of celebrity car, being taken around Australia to attend car shows and the like. After settling back into life briefly, FJ got itchy feet and took Husky to New Zealand and completed another tour, before returning back home.
As is often the case, this book highlights the compassion and hospitality of people throughout the trip, who offered up accommodation and food. There were mechanics who wouldn't take money for the work they did, people who went out of their way to assist and would't take any compensation. The seldom occasions where they were badly treated only highlight the frequency of the generosity.
An enjoyable read, fairly light as it doesn't plumb the depths of history or historical conflicts, but it offers a snapshot in time along their route.
4 stars.
