18/02 my basic needs

Adam says, “Sailing reduces a man to his basic needs.” These are the things that rank high up on my list:

FOOD - Jungle bars and sparkles
Yes friends, I cook. I cook almost every day! Fortunately the boys aren’t fussy and the less time they have to spend in that neausea inducing galley, the better… Any meal I didn’t have to make myself is gormet!


WARMTH - I love my boots!
Most days you can get by with just a long sleeve and an oily but at night… you’ve got to be kidding! I have never known cold like this before. Not even in a Canadian winter. And guess what – there’s f’kol you can do about it! No such thing as a heater on Enigma.

Top tip: keep your feet dry.

IMAGE: I may be looking like a fisherman but I'm warm and dry in Saldhana.

SOFTNESS - Have pillow, will travel
Anything that assists with that foetal position. The 100mm thick foam mattress I call a bunk, although suede, is not exactly friendly. (A pillow is almost worth driving to Pep for, huh Ben?)


HYGENE
1. Personal: I have paid very large sums of money for a bath. Not that we don’t shower every day (often twice) but if any of you have been camping you can probably relate.
2. General: We clean compulsively! It’s ridiculous how quickly things can get gross, what with all that skin and hair… think living in a GATACA keyboard.


GAMES
Things can get pretty desperate… reading makes you seasick, playing cards is difficult in a gale and ‘I spy’ just ain’t fun. You can imagine the growing absurdity… The ‘ching-chong-cha’ tournament for cups of tea has become a week long event. We did anchor at Clifton once for lunch and waved at the peasants on the beach. That was fun, and a boat of Chinese tourists took our picture.

Q: I spy with my little eye something beginning with ‘W’