Hitching a lift in pursuit of a bath on wheels
SIR – As a Cambridge University student in the mid-Sixties, I agreed to take part in a “bath-pushing” race from London to Cambridge, but was waylaid by emergency dental treatment. I recovered in time to attempt to catch up, but had failed to confirm which of the three primary routes my team was going to use.
I picked the A1 to Baldock and then hitched a lift (Letters, August 25) in a lorry, advising the driver that my destination was a bath on wheels. He seemed unconvinced until we approached the A10 and a bath passed in front of our eyes.
It took a little longer to find the right bath, but I did catch up with my team – although they felt I hadn’t quite pulled my weight in the race.
Jeremy Burton
Fairfield, Berkshire
SIR – Back in the Sixties I frequently resorted to hitchhiking, as much for the challenge as the speed. I found the secret was to wear a suit and tie, and carry a rolled umbrella.
It was usually quicker than the train and one would meet very interesting people along the way.
Hubert Pragnell
Canterbury, Kent
SIR – When I was at boarding school in the Fifties, at the end of each term my parents would send me a 10 shilling note for the train ticket from Sherborne to Horsham. I would pocket the money and hitchhike 120 miles instead. Thanks to the charity of motorists, I usually reached home in under four hours.
Philip Wright
London SW11