25:28.67S 007:59.11W
ratCATcher
Andre and Alison Stroebel
Mon 24 Jan 2011 07:32
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.