Press on Regardless

I have previously read and reviewed the previous travel book by this author - called Husky Be My Guide, about an extensive overland trip in a Hillman Husky.

Published in 1960, this book follows a subsequent journey, this time in a Hillman Minx Estate (not specified in the book, but the picture suggests it must be. (Not sure if this link will work: https://www.flickriver.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/7903158852/). Accompanying the author was his wife Jessica and youngest son Roger. The plan was Jessica and Roger would remain in Mexico City and Fred would find another companion to accompany him on the higher risk part of the trip - necessary to make a good book of it!

After a journey by ship from Australia to Vancouver (via Auckland, Suva and Honolulu), they collect their car and head across the border and down the west coast of America and into Mexico. Despite the warnings of all those in the know (the rainy season, terrible roads, railway bypass) they harbour great ambitions of driving to Panama before turning around and traveling back up the east coast to Canada. As it turns out, the naysayers were right, and the terrible roads became eventually impassable. Having passed through Mexico, including the train bypass (from Tonala to Tapachula) and into Guatemala and El Salvador, they reluctantly turned tail and retreated. Delays meant the rainy season had arrived and made it impossible to carry on.

Once again the international network of Rootes Group, the car distributors performed miracles in the form of assistance through out their journey. This and other assistance was offset by the expected border drama and car trouble, keeping things interesting for their journey. A young Mexican agrees to accompany Fred south from Mexico, and while Fred's Spanish is non-existent, Alphonso's English is minimal, especially when he gets excited!

After reaching Canada they again have trouble finding a berth for themselves and their vehicle to the UK, but eventually do, and we end in the UK where they await the expected arrival of Garry, the elder son, who is in the navy. The closing talks of a proposed drive through Scandinavia and Western Europe, then ‘perhaps Africa', although I see there is a further book called ‘Destination Spain'.

Overall this was an ok book. They are such a nice respectable family, it is perhaps a bit vanilla. I think personally the first book was stronger, this one tending to follow a successful recipe is probably without the high points. It could be different if this was read stand alone.

For me 3 stars.