The Sea

The author of this book describes his exciting life from birth in 1943, the middle of WWII. From escaping the bombed Berlin, Germany, with his mum towards West Germany. He grew up in the beautiful Harz Mountains. But he strongly felt that the beauty of the Harz was not strong enough to stop him dreaming of the wide world. While training to become a skilled toolmaker, he could not see his future in factories. His longing for the sea was overwhelming. He hitchhiked to Hamburg once a month for two years, spending, with permission, many hours in the ferry's engine room. This made him happy and convinced him his future shall be at sea. After successfully achieving his tradesman certificate, he joined the Hamburg Shipyard, Howaldtswerke, where he obtained extensive knowledge about ship engines. After one year he finally fulfilled his dream and started his career as ship's engineer assistant. Following up, he he studied marine engineering and obtained his chief engineer license. The world was open to many exciting years, happiness, sadness, and seeing many countries and people all over the world, and finding his future wife in the famous Beatles city of Liverpool, UK.
After spending life together in England and Germany and finally emigrating with wife and two sons to Sydney, Australia, in 1980, they found their final, beautiful home.
The author spent 59 years in maritime life, and lives now with wife and successful sons in Sydney.