Salamander - Going to the heads

CAUTION - contains some graphic content that may not be suitable for everyone! Please don't read if you think you might be offended. No offence is intended.

On the water going to the heads (toilet) is not always straightforward, on a number of counts!

Obviously the boat moves around a great deal as it rocks from side to side on the waves. Even if the waves aren't very big this can still be an issue. When the waves are up you have to hang on for dear life.

All of us sit down to do whatever it is we need to do. No one wants to clear up the mess created by missing the bowl!!

All toilet paper is put in a bin rather than flushed. Again no one wants to unblock a blocked loo, particularly not at sea!

All this assumes however that you can actually go! I've found this particularly challenging for at least a couple of days after leaving port. I don't know why this should be but I know I am not alone.

The solution I've found is to introduce a small quantity of prunes to my porridge at breakfast. I say a small quantity because the last thing I want to happen is a complete, unstoppable reversal of the situation. A very careful balance is required!

Staying hydrated is important too, you don't want pee to be the colour of Theakstons Old Peculiar, more hydration elsewhere.

We try and keep the whole process as clean and mess free as possible. Leaving the heads as you would hope to find them certainly helps with crew unity.


Tim - Salamander Tour Manager and Guest Social Media Editor

thesalamandersailingadventure.com