Volker tried but failed to light a cigarette today.
He had been told that Cleone was a non smoking boat, so sympathy for his
plight was not just zero, it was minus about 12 out of ten.
But wait, what about the others? We thought the Skipper was bad, but
since Paul came on board he's been much worse. And to cap it all, he made
Paul bring out as big a stash as he could of the little white bags he craves so
much. It then turns out that Paul is as hooked as the Skipper, and it is
only justice that they've finished this junk already. It is not
widely published, but just about all the yachts on this rally are fitted with
the gear needed to prepare this horror, Cleone being no exception. The two
of them brew up either furtively during the night, or openly in the day -
they think that being in International Waters renders them immune from
retribution. And, although he's not as bad yet, they've forced Volker to
indulge their habit too. They don't inhale or inject, but they dissolve
the stuff in hot water and then ingest it, carefully throwing the debris
overboard - presumably to get rid of the evidence.
What is this that seems to be ruining their
lives? Is it H or is it E? No, although you may not have heard of
it, it's probably worse, in the vernacular it's called T. Paul and the
Skipper are life-long addicts; they claim they are "only following an ancient
British custom that originated many years ago in China" (we have heard that
one before!) and that supplies "are readily available in every British
high-street". As if that excuses them. The effects are insidious;
wakefulness, talkativeness (the Skipper in particular is inclined to ramble
under the influence), micturation (they use the heads at all hours of the day
and night) and generally making a nuisance of oneself. Of course,
these two reprobates claim the effects are only beneficial; it keeps them awake
when on watch, it's a social thing, it helps with the body's fluid
balance. But do you believe this? There are different grades - the
best is apparently "Earl Grey" there are copious supplies of "Yellow Label" on
board, and they want more ?Darjeeling?. Disparaging talk about "PG Tips"
and "English Breakfast" is often heard. To cap it all, we now know
why the Skipper moved to Andover; the pusher of what is widely acknowledged as
the UK's best stuff ? known in the murky underworld as Twinings - apparently
operates from there with impunity.
Well, is this T the bane of yachting life?
Or is it, as is claimed on board Cleone, "the nectar that lubricates the very
wheels and cogs of sailing". You must judge for yourself. But my
advice is: Ban it. Write to the Times, write to your MP, get on the
streets and protest. This scourge must end, and people like Paul and
the Skipper must return to be given the help they so obviously need.
Back in the real world, we have been helped by a
favourable current as well as steady trade-winds. The last twenty four hours saw
a near record 179 miles logged. Cleone has relished the
conditions, riding comfortably over the long, sometimes irregular, cross-seas.
It has been exhilarating sailing; you cant beat the trades when it is like
this.
Meanwhile, all is well with us, and very best
wishes to you all.
James, Paul and Volker