London and end of first voyage

Friday 5^th March

After working the morning cargo watch and starting the emergency fire pumps for the surveyor I finished packing my gear away, some of which I had to unpack on arrival at Rotterdam. The London Pilot boarded and we sailed at 15.00. Again I kept the log as we left before my spell on the wheel. Once clear of the river the two pilots left and the London Pilot took over. Before going to bed we cleared the cabin out for our reliefs.

Saturday 6^th March

I went up for the 4 to 8 this morning just in time for the last hour, taking us into WEST INDIA DOCKS through the locks from the Thames. As soon as we were made fast I went to bed again. When I got up at 08.00 I had a shower and got ready to leave. By the time we had been cleared by Customs etc. and signed off it was 13.00. By 17.30 I was at home in Fleetwood being grilled Gestapo fashion by the rest of the family eager to hear of the last 5 months.