Plymouth is also where I studied the Chief Mate preparation course in 1982, when the institution was known as Plymouth Polytechnic. I attended the course with my colleague 黃漢強 (潺強, now a harbor pilot), after completing sea service as a third mate on the 20+ year-old crude oil tanker "Bern" of Denholm Ship Management—a name inspired by the de facto capital of Switzerland. For nine months, we stayed at the home of Mrs. Hocking on North Road East, close to the campus. Mr. and Mrs. Hocking and their nine-year-old daughter Susan were wonderful hosts, providing us with a very cozy home during our stay.
Susan was a charming girl. One early morning, while we were having tea in the kitchen, Susan brought us soup, as her mother told us. She could not stop talking and smiling as she walked, and, unaware of the tilting bowl, spilled some soup on the floor. To this day, I still remember her lovely face, smiling while holding the bowl. On another occasion, she gave me a quiz about a chef who lost his ring while making steak and kidney pie. She asked me to guess what the customer found while eating the pie. I answered "the ring," but she replied, "steak and kidney."
On another Saturday morning in 1983, I went to the Royal Parade in Plymouth city centre. I saw people marching and celebrating on the main road. It was a unique occasion, unlike anything I had experienced since first visiting Plymouth. I later learned that it was a celebration of the British victory in the Falklands War. It was a memorable event, though I thought the ceremony resembled the funeral processions in old Hong Kong, where bands marched in front of the cart carrying the coffin.
From 1993 to 1995, I returned to Plymouth on a scholarship sponsored by the Hong Kong Marine Department to study for my first academic degree with the Maritime Studies Faculty. At that time, there was a severe shortage of nautical surveyors, so I applied for the scholarship and was fortunate to be selected. A nautical surveyor needed both a nautical degree and a foreign-going Class 1 Master certificate of competency for the job in the Marine Department.
The government provided tuition fees, a daily allowance, and half salary to the chosen candidate. It was a good opportunity. In November 1993, Ann and Jonathan joined me in Plymouth. Jonathan was three years old at the time. We settled in a house at the corner of Tresillian Street in Cattedown. Jonathan attended the local nursery class and later moved to Hyde Park School for his junior class. Mrs. Rochester, his class mistress, loved him dearly. At the year-end graduation, Jonathan was selected to play Jack in the drama "Jack and the Beanstalk."
In early 1994, we rented a larger, two-storey semi-detached house at 49 Pounds Park Road. The landlord, Joseph, was a Hong Konger who had returned to Hong Kong to teach at the University of Science and Technology. He asked us to look after his house in Plymouth during his absence and offered us a competitive rent. Our second son, Matthew, was born on 15 January 1995 at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth.
We returned to Hong Kong in July 1995 after finishing my studies. In September, I began preparing my application for a PhD research program with Dr. Redfern and successfully obtained clearance from the Marine Department. After starting my research work in Hong Kong the following year, I returned to Plymouth in 1996. According to research regulations, I was required to meet with my supervisory team and update them on my progress each year.
Each visit to Plymouth lasted about one month, which was a difficult time for Anne, as she had to look after our two young sons and go to work every day. I must confess that I owe a great deal to Anne and my family for their support during those years when I was away from home for such long periods.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of my PhD studies at Plymouth University. I love Plymouth very much. The city has a beautiful coastline and stunning views of the English Channel. I truly hope that I can visit again in the future.😘😘
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