THE HIPPY TRAIL: DURHAM TO KATHMANDU - DAY ONE rucksack, rain and rail, 1976

[1976: I was 18 and relishing the lyrics to Alice Cooper's 'School's Out'.  Having spent the hot summer holiday of 76 on the Isle of Skye, I was taking 'a year out' (as Gap Years were called in those days) before going onto Edinburgh University to do Social Anthropology. Inspired by stories of my mum, Sheila Gorrie, growing up in India in the 1920/30s where my grandfather was a conservator of forests, I took the road east.  

My grandmother, Sydney Easterbrook had gone out from Edinburgh in 1923 to marry Robert Gorrie in Lahore.  She had travelled by ship; I was going by vintage Bristol bus.  Granny Sydney was part of the 'fishing fleet' - the Brits who went out to India to marry those who worked for the Raj - while I was joining the 1970s hippy trail.  It was also money that Granny had put into trust for me, that was paying the £250 fare to Kathmandu.  The day I left Durham in the North East of England, I spoke to Granny on the phone; she'd had a mild stroke earlier in the month and I'd stayed with her in Edinburgh to help out.  It was the last time we spoke.]

"SEPTEMBER, 1976.  ASIAN GREYHOUND TRIP TO KATHMANDU !!!"
SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER, 1976

"The usual last minute panic, quick rush down town and cramming of things into the new (carefully waterproofed!) rucksack.  Not the same sinking feeling as going off to school though!

Phone call from Mel and also rang Granny before leaving.  Said goodbye to Puss and Ted!  (Played the Garden Cottage tape of "Odds and Ends")

Durham grey and rain pouring down.  Helen, Mum, Dad, Don and Barbara all came to [the railway station] to see me off! (The trendy ones wore cagoules! - Dad wore old mack!)

Watch Cathedral and Castle disappear in drizzle and mist - market place, well loved streets etc.  Went under Crossgate Moor bridge (usually walking to school over it and watching trains rush under!)

Taxi to Radnor Walk [Chelsea, London].  Drucilla [MacLeod] gave great welcome.  Friends round for drinks.  Two been in Kathmandu - gave me address of a home in India.  Drucilla and I had lots of chat over supper.  I slept on sofa.  (Car stopped outside playing Beach Boys!)"