Crew Blog

Rehabilitation Plans

24 June 2008

We are now over half way to Cork and after five weeks on Uniquely Singapore I have spent some time reflecting on how I am going to manage my rehabilitation from this world on an ocean racing yacht to “normal” life. Here are a few of the measures I am planning to use to prevent cold turkey and ease my way back into my previous existence.

Food. Will have to eat rice, pasta or noodles for a while. No table, and a chair rigged on a sloping platform (20 to 30 degrees) will be appropriate for maximum comfort. Every seven days I will have a dinner party for 16 friends. 16 bowls and forks and 2 pans will be used. Perhaps a nice Stag chili con carne would be good, served with rice and the ubiquitous garlic chilli sauce. Immediately after dinner I will obviously nip off to clean the heads and anti-bac the walls.

Clothes. Same underclothes should last a week or two. Will ensure socks continue to be damp by running them under the tap each morning and squeezing them out and of course I will continue to wear plastic bags inside my boots. A couple of those M&S bags for life will do nicely.

Sleep. All my worldly possessions will be stored in dry bags or festooned around my bed on makeshift washing lines in a vain attempt to dry them. No problem to share a room with 12 or so like minded individuals of either sex and a bit of damp on the walls will not faze us. On a hot day we will open the window for an hour or so.

Sleep and exercise. I won’t be able to transition to a full night’s sleep for a while so will find an all night gym and have a good work out (fully clad) for a couple of hours between 2 and 6 am or on any four hour cycle for that matter. Or if it’s a still night with not a lot on, I may spend three or four hours under the stars watching the horizon and thinking about the meaning of life.

Personal hygiene. A few wet wipes, anti-bac talc and a toothbrush will be all that’s required. On a quiet day when it’s not too wet or windy I will clean up with wet wipes and will have what is known on board as a talcum powder frenzy.

On a more serious note I will miss the sailing, the teamwork on board and the genial companionship of a fantastic crew. The transition to “normal” life will be easy and there are many lessons that I have learned and will take with me from this amazing experience.

Jim Crooks