Now that Heroine is not carrying 10 tons of ice and fish her huge hold is available as accommodation, and attractive it is too, in comparison to the tiny, coffin-like bunks that the crew would have used.

Sleeping in a hammock in the hold is a delight - the gentle movement of the boat sways the hammocks every so slightly, the swish of the waves is a restful soundtrack, the blankets are dry and snug and there is plenty of summer night air wafting softly through the hatches. That is, until it begins to rain at dawn, as it did last Sunday. Apart from losing a good night's sleep, the soaking bedding means no cosy siesta after a hard morning's work. We have now solved the problem by creating a tent, or rather marquee inside the hold using some taped together plastic sheeting.

I have been discussing provisioning with my mother who is a great home economist - running a nurturing household cost effectively as well as being a master of in-transport-vittles. Our usual diet was healthy, based on seasonal produce and little or no nonsense. In contrast, however, during the long car journeys, which seemed to go on for days, to family holidays in Devon, the boredom and fighting (there were six of us in a Beetle) were punctuated by handfuls of unusual and particulary luxurious food that were passed back to us in the rear, from between the front car seats. So, following her advice, it seems that a sea-voyage away from green-grocers and proper food shops is an opportunity to indulge in treats such as corned-beef hash, packet noodles, tinned rice pudding etc. Hoorah for the briney!

STOP PRESS
Our departure has been brought forward, we are now casting off the lines at 10 o'clock ("Ten-Dubs" apparently) on Saturday 15th July, bacon sandwiches and tea for all handkerchief wavers.

Photograph - Skipper Reading Property Pages in Hammock