Getting ready to leave

Provisioning a yacht from a landlubber's perspective. When we started planning Jan's circum-navigation, little did we think of the preparation involved. I am not a sailor (nor intended to be) which added to the problem. Long term menu planning became a nasty reality in November 1999. Questions which arose went something like this. How many cups of rice per meal. That one was easy. How much does a cup of rice weigh -huh! Higher mathmatics was never my scene. How long does a bottle of washing up liquid last? How many toilet rolls will be used in 70 days? The mind boggles. Jan made a list of seven easy meals, meat, a filler such as rice, pasta or potatoes, veg or salad. We calculated the weights, and multiplied by seven weeks. Over and above the provisions for the approximate seven week crossing, 50% was added again in case of any unforeseen eventualities. Other questions arose, such as what happens if the electrics fail - no fridge or deep freeze. Gas failure meant no cooking etc. We then catered for tinned meals as well. what happens if the water maker breaks down - how many bottles of water to take along? Shopping was the next hurdle to cross, especially during the height of the holiday season. Nine cases of beer (= 1 per person, per day), plus all the drinks for the festive season seriously jeopardised the car's springs. The unperishables were bought with military precision. Di (our daughter), Kim (soon to be our daughter-in-law) and I set off along the isles of Pick 'n Pay, each with a typed list. We came together once our three trolleys were full to overflowing. Then it was off again for more. Only two hours and five heaped trolleys later, we set off to the yacht. After loading all the bags on board, I retired gracefully and left the young 'uns to upack and store everything. Mike (our son) being the cook, supervised all this whilst Di and Kim made endless list where what was stored. When we had recovered from that little spree, it was back again for to buy meat and flour. All the flour had to be decanted, microwaved and repacked. I made up a number of prepared meals in case the cook went on strike. Fresh fruit and veg had to be obtained directly from the market, un-washed and never having been kept under refridgeration. Umteen dozen eggs had to be covered in oil. Be warned to wear a plastic apron. so many things for a landlubber to learn. Muthi (medicine to those of you not from Africa) had to be carefully chosen with enough of everything to last many weeks. Amazingly Chispa was still afloat even after two sets of scuba gear was loaded.

Mike giving his father a haircut

All set to sail: left - right: Jan, Erik, Chris and Mike

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