Fairsky from Sydney to Southampton

Our Hurstville U3A writing group have been asked to write a story about a brothel,so I am including a page of historical facts from Wikipedia,followed by a second page of experience as follows............

Its 1959,after attaining my woolclasing certificate at East Sydney Tech,I booked a passage on the migrant ship Fairsky for its return journey to the United Kingdom,where I hoped to gain added skills in wool handling at Bradford.

Along with several hundred young Ozzi's we set off in February with band playing for Brisbane,also calling at Colombo,Aden,Cairo,Naples and South Hampton to Merry Old England .

My steward Ettore Serichino from Trieste settled me in to a four berth cabin,just above the waterline,with Rocco returning to Italy for a holiday and if the truth be known in search of a bride.

Ettore was very friendly and helpful,so along the way we became friends,and went ashore with Rocco when we got to Aden.

After passing Mt Etna belching smoke,and a touch of sea sickness in the Mediterranean, Ettore suggested when we get to Naples we go ashore and he would show me round. I had heard the expression "See Naples and Die " and being rather naive welcomed the invitation.

Naples duly arrived,my first experience of Europe,I was not going to miss this,Ettore and I set forth,into an overpowering atmosphere,but safe in a locals hands. First stop a hotel or should i say,a place where you could have drinks,after 50 years reflections can distort the picture,I remember the broad outline of the nights activities,but some of the fine detail may have been erased.

Next stop was a cafe for Pizza naturally,that's what you eat in Italy !

It was the largest Pizza I have ever seen,two feet across at least,without exaggeration,it took us quite a while to get through it,but stimulated by a few red wines we eventually managed to do the job.

Back out on the street Ettore ran into some Matelo mates,dressed in traditional uniform,who gave us directions for the next nights activity.We jumped into a Fiat taxi and sped round the corner,and marched into a house with a large baronial staircase.This was action at a fast pace,

Ettore and I were in bed with two Italian women,we had dispensed with our clothes and could be involved in love making. But the alcohol had taken control and I was not able to satisfy my partner, unlike Ettore who was showing signs of pleasure with smiles and laughter as we retraced our exit down the stairs ,I remember being accused of being a POOFTER !

Fast foward to 2015 where attitudes have changed,there is a proficiency of bordellos with names like ,The Penthouse,The Ultimate Gentleman's Club,Wild Orchard,Private Desire,Stilleto at Camperdown,Tiffany's at Surry Hills and Black Garter at Rockdale.

(C) Copyright Tim Williams