Jan and Bob tie the knot

As many of you are aware fresh water is at a premium when making these long passages so showers are restricted to short towel washes. After our last actual shower at Port Vila just before we departed some of us have used the bucket off the back of the boat to wash with salt water then quickly rinse with a little fresh water. After 6 days at sea Jan felt she needed to wash and asked Bob to help her. "Imelda" emerged from the companionway wearing one of her many bathing suits (not sure how many she
brought but they are numerous and colourful), Bob followed and off to the aft they went. The usual practise is to tie a rope around your waist and secure the other end to the boat; that way should you slip off the transom while throwing out the canvas bucket you would still be retrievable. Anyway Bob slipped the rope around Jan's waist and proceeded to try and tie a Bowline knot. You know the drill: Make a rabbit hole loop, run the end up the hole, around the tree then back down the hole. After many
failed attempts, Bob took the rope off of Jan and practised on the wind vane post until he got it right. Back to Jan's waist two loops around then attempted to knot. Two tries later with some coaching from Captain and needling by the rest of the crew Jan was ready for her wash. Next was Bob's turn so Jan wrapped the rope around Bob and did her imitation of a girl guide knot tier. Her first attempt was some concoction of loops over, under and twist that she felt should hold Bob. With many more barbs
of who trusted who the most the Captain had to step in and also guide her through the rabbit and hole trick. Now that they have experienced the salt water bath I'm sure there will be plenty more trepid (timid) moments for the pair as the journey progresses. Dennis