What is it that helps to keep us (well me especially) sane or nearly so, during such a long exile from my home and family? Journalists are fond of ‘Top tens’ so here are mine. There are ten of them, in reverse order. MM

10

Woolly hat: woolly anything. Wool is the best for comfort, a certain amount of water resistance and pulling on a favourite sweater,and sticking a hat on your head makes you feel ready for anything. Don’t forget the bedsocks!

9

Toiletries: unless you’re crossing the Atlantic, you either have on-board-en-suite or can get into a harbour to use the showers. Your favourite soap, body lotion, aftershave and the chance to wash and dry your hair, help with morale.

8

‘Tot Ziens’, lending a paw

Stuffed animals: Mrs Chippy’, a stuffed cat,  is enjoying her retirement with us after accompanying Shackleton’s crewing ‘Endurance’. (Actually she’s made in China from rabbits.) We also have a hyper-intelligent stuffed dog.

7

Scented candles, incense sticks, reed diffusers… keep the air sweet and add to ambience. Admit it, boats smell of diesel and bilges more than we care to admit.

6

Sweetie tin: useful for rewarding anyone who helps you, especially kids. It’s a currency which doesn’t devalue and the holding the open tin towards someone can make the gruffest face crack into a smile. Also useful as a reward for the skipper or crew after a tricky piece of helming, working out a passage plan, mending anything on board, to pat yourselves on the back once you’re safely moored or as an incentive or distraction in uncertain waters. When we’re in the NL, is filled with ‘Drop’ – aka liquorice, but it’s up to you.

5

Familiar food/treats: I discovered that a little marmalade,( brought from home), goes a long way. ( It was smeared all over the inside and outside of the food box.) Although it’s exciting for us to buy local food, some things are irreplaceable, so I always take Earl Grey tea, marmalade and home made chutney. Keeps the spirits up.

4

Bottle locker: we always deserve a beer after sailing. Glugging some red wine on the back deck as the sun goes down or cooling off with chilled white, makes a fitting end to the day. Don’t kid yourself, you know you do this too.

3

Routines: whether it’s the first cuppa of the morning with Radio 4, having a snooze after lunch or bringing in the Red Duster at sundown, routines are reassuring.

2

Hot water bottles: make the difference between using your precious body heat and being able to cosily drift off to sleep straight away.

and:

1

Heat: it may be a diesel heater, a solid fuel stove or a diesel hot air blower, but nothing has nearly as much value on board. As the Henry Royce is quoted as saying: “The quality will remain long after the price is forgotten”, so don’t skimp; dry yourself, dry your clothes, and dry your boat.