Monday 24th Jan 2011
This trip so far has been a barrel of laughs. The other evening I had just
turned into bed after a great supper and heard a large wave wash over the
side of the boat. By the sound I knew it had to be a big one probably
swamping the cockpit. This sound was followed by peals of laughter from
above that went on and on. I fell asleep with a huge smile on my face
listening to them laugh.
The next morning I discovered the reason for the hilarity. Apparently "the
boys" had decided they wanted pudding and had dished themselves up huge
bowls of guava's and custard. Andre had just walked into the cockpit when
the said wave washed in. He grabbed his pudding and tried to jump back into
the boat. Rob and Kevin say his footwork in the next minute or so would have
put Michael Flatterly to shame. Unfortunately his nimble dance didn't save
him as he slipped on the step falling back into the cabin. In doing so he
sprayed his guava's and custard from one end of the room to the other. The
continued mirth was them crawling around on hands and knees looking for the
lost bits of custard and guava pips as they cleaned up the cabin.
Yesterday was washing day and I took my first "drag bath/ shower". How
washing works is you put your clothes into a bucket of seawater and soap. I
use the term "soap" loosely as nothing soaps in seawater except Colgate
shampoo. They are left to soak after a quick rub. We then thread a rope
through the arms and body or legs of the garment and having secured it to
the side throw them off the back. Here they get a drag rinse, pulled along
at 6 to 8 knots and tumbled about. After a while we pull them back in and
squeeze them out as much as possible then put a tiny bit of fresh water into
the bucket and rinse them in the fresh water. They are them hung on the side
to dry.
My shower drag was a laugh. I didn't realize the strength of the water as
you are pulled behind. So after wetting yourself and washing you put on a
harness ready to jump off the back. I decided I should make it tight around
the chest below my "assets" so I could slip out. When I slid into the water
the force of the current ripped the harness up almost removing said assets
completely. With screeches of "ouch ouch" my beloved hubby leapt into action
and started to pull me in. I was tightly holding the webbing below said
assets so could not assist in dragging myself aboard. The scariest part is
he slipped and nearly ended up as man overboard. However the screeches
brought Kevin who had been lying in the saloon running and he turned the
boat a little slowing it down enough for Andre to pull me aboard. Andre
assuring him he didn't need to come and look I was fine :)
Lesson learnt the harness was loosened and pt above the now slightly bruised
assets and I had my first drag bath. What a laugh its great fun planning
behind the boat.
Last night we braaied Espetadas and had them with salad and sweet potato.
Sigh life is tough but someone has to do it.
Salutations from the rat catchers.
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