Highroad for Oz

In post-war Britain a Dinky toy was a treasured gift but for a child with his mind on the wider world, why there were ships, trains, 'planes and - big double-decker buses!

Andy (the one in the suit!) was captivated by all forms of public transport but most of all by buses. Taking the bus to school was daily ritual as was driving village pathways powered by imagination, a round tray for steering wheel and a cut-out cereal box displaying destinations and route numbers.

When Dinky toy time was over he would climb into his imaginary bus and take passengers on a local excursion or, on special occasions, to London's Victoria Coach Station on the prestige long distance "A" service - all of 36 miles!

Dreams of an early age invariably evolve into reality and thus it was no surprise when Andy told his parents he was taking his first real passengers overland from London to Sydney in an old converted van.

"At last," they declared, "just write home!" Happily, he wrote home plenty . . . and here is the story.

photo: the first trip in the Austin van - Dover, October 1966