Bombay To Britain By Bus

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31291, 10 February 1967, Page 2

Bombay To Britain By Bus

When Mrs W. F. Mulligan’s husband suggested a different way of getting to Britain—a two-month bus trip from Bombay —she accepted the challenge. Yesterday morning she told the Canterbury Travel Club of her experiences.

“Begging a Bed” was the title of her talk. The 56strong party travelled on a fare-only basis and members had to find their own accommodation and food, and obtain currency. Safari beds and sleeping bags were indispensable travelling companions. ‘1 was surprised to find the ages of the party varied from 17 to 70. A New Zealand grandmother was one of the brightest and most up-to-date there and she came through the trip in better nick than some of the youngsters. And she wrote home in verse every day,” said Mrs Mulligan. On their first stop accommodation was scarce and the safari beds had to be used. “They are in eight different pieces and were always covered in dust because they travelled on the floor of the bus. We finally got them set up after much wrestling and groaning.” They stopped briefly at a town built for royalty in the 15th century and later deserted. Mr and Mrs Mulligan were “staggered” by the king’s bed—eight feet from the ground, 10 feet wide, built of solid rock, and with no visible means of entry. Throughout India they saw many sacred cows and monkeys wandering freely.

even in the cities, and doirtg untold damage. “As farmers we were particularly interested in farming methods. It seems we need to send hundreds of technicians there to teach the people before we send tractors. The kerosene lamp was the only modem convenience the poor of the cities and villages possessed,” she said.

She found Indians scrupulously clean. Long saris, changed often during the hot days, were seen often, spread out to dry along river banks and in courtyards.

The journey through Pakistan and Iran was marked by a mishap. Sixty miles out in the desert the bus ran off the road and stopped with a broken axle.

“As often happens, although we were miles from anywhere, tribesmen appeared from all directions. They were delighted to tell us that the only train running for the week was due in about an hour,” she said. “We clambered over to the nearby railway line and stopped the train. I paid 14 rupees and got a good seat in comfort—the ones who paid two rupees were down among the chickens and hens." Teheran was memorable for the magnificence of the crown jewels, stored in the vault of the city’s main bank; Baghdad was a “horrible hotch-potch of East and West”; and Petra gave Mrs Mulligan ample scope for

sketching. In Istanbul she had a suede coat made for her daughter overnight When the large party stopped unexpectedly facilities were often strained. "Because of the salt in the Dead Sea we decided to hire bathing costumes, and they really had to scrape the bottom of the barrel for us. The selection went back to 1920 models and there we were standing around swathed in three skirts.” The highlight of their visit to Italy, the last stop before Britain, was “a good bed.” After two months of sleeping in conditions many and varied the Mulligans found themselves In the bridal suite —“chandelier, an excellent bathroom, and all."