Which kit will make the cut?

With two nights left on dry land, we are finally turning our attention to what to bring with us on Snow Goose.  It will be interesting when we leave home on Monday to see whether we can fit all of our kit in the car, let alone find somewhere to stow it on the boat.  I am realistic about the small space available, and am prepared to compromise on kit; Angus suggested taking walking shoes as well as trainers, but I think really the trainers will have to do and if we are on a windy, muddy coastal walk in a gale I'll just have to cope with my inadequate footwear.  He, on the other hand, is struggling with the idea of not changing his shirt for dinner if he has done some "sweaty deck activity" by day, and is talking about bringing seven day t-shirts, plus more shirts for the evenings...  also his guitar is waiting hopefully next to his bag, thinking it too might find a suitable spot on the boat.

Eloise has tried, but failed, to narrow down the number of teddies she is bringing.  This is fine, really, as they all sleep together on the shelf just above her bunk, and it is not safe to keep anything else there in case it jumps off and hits her on the head when we go over a wave.  But lots of teddies can be surprisingly time consuming in case of bad weather.  On her first channel crossing a few weeks ago, it was quite rough and she was sick for the first four hours or so, into her "coughing bowl" as she rather sweetly named it.  Naturally, that night, before bed, she had to help all of her teddies had to have a "little cough" into their own miniature tupperware coughing bowl - now there's a new bedtime delaying tactic I've not seen before...

The final packing conundrum for me is trying to work out exactly how fat I might be in three months' time, as clearly there is no point in taking clothes I will only fit into for the next month or so.  I have long since given up hope of taking my sea-swimming wetsuit, as I could only just squeeze into that in my normal state.  My oilees are pretty massive so I think there's room for a small one in there, but my lightweight rain jacket is going to pose more of a problem as there is not much room for growth, and I'm not even sure if there is such a thing as maternity thermals.

Lucky us - what dilemmas to have - and how fantastic to have the sun shining, and Wimbledon on the TV as we rush around the house trying to make order and decide what to bring, and what must (reluctantly) be left behind.  Two dry land sleeps left - better go and enjoy this one!

The Final Countdown...

With just ten days to go until we set off on our three month Snow Goose adventure, we are trying not to question our wisdom in the planning of this trip.  The Great British "Summer" seems to be continuing with cool temperatures and gales, so are Ireland and Scotland really sensible destinations?  Oh well, we've bought the charts now, so I guess we'll have to go through with the plan.

Also, we are wondering if we are really patient enough parents to live in beautiful harmony with Eloise,  who is nearly three, 24/7 for three months..  Firstly, her favourite question is currently "Why?", followed closely by, "But why?..", and there just isn't always an answer.  Secondly, she can't get on the loo by herself, and the cry "Pee pee Mummy!" usually comes at a crucial moment.  Thirdly, her favourite boat occupation is face painting, which is good fun and I rather enjoy doing it, but she then likes to have a good look at the work of art on her face every few minutes in the mirror - which she can't see unless Angus or I lift her up there.  And then there's the issue of food and bits of playdough all over the cushions (my bunk!) and floor...

The other slight problem is that we really do need a bigger boat.  I have mentioned this to Angus but he says that with ten days to go it is too late, and he doesn't seem to mind that the boat is so full of tools, spares and flares, that there is actually no free space to store our personal kit, nevermind our food, or ourselves for that matter.  My bunk is perfectly big enough for now, but I am currently only 17 weeks pregnant, and things will be very different by the end of the trip when my bump will be considerably bigger.

Anyway, we've told work that we're going, signed Eloise out of nursery, had Snow Goose's official blessing, made a big song and dance about the trip, and are meeting Dad and Lucy in Penzance a week after our departure, so there's no going back now!  Here's hoping for some warm weather and not too many gales..

Laura