When Mike Traynor of Bellambi first went to sea, he was shown how to make up his bunk by the senior apprentice. “I was told that the bunk was aligned (C8) fore and aft, and that the pillow must face towards the bow. When I questioned why, he told me that this was because most ships sank stern first, and that it was better to go to Davy Jones’ Locker feet first.”
One for the Column 8 insomniacs. “Some of the main influences on a good night’s sleep (C8) are the weather, the N/S, E/W or other orientation within the room, and whether there is a window with an easterly aspect to catch the sunrise,” writes John Ward of Bangor. “Another major effect might be the N.E.W.S of the day!”
A (nearly) enlightened Susan Newman of Mona Vale was fortunate to attend the Ngarinyin people’s Bush University many years ago. “My hubris at my tent being chosen for sharing at night by a respected female host was brought back to earth upon later being told the reason. My tent was the only one with the opening flap orientated in the optimum direction in the event of returning to the spirit world overnight. It worries me now that I have forgotten whether that was to the east or west.”
Some pertinent (impertinent?) questions to start the week. “Does anyone ever experience a single whammy?” asks Brian Peck of Chatswood. And, “if there’s yet another coup somewhere or other, is that what’s called a ‘recoup’?” asks Peter Bower of Naremburn.
“Apparently one of the most asked first-time cruiser questions (C8) is: ‘Do you use sea water to flush the toilets?’,” writes Martin Field of Noosa Heads (Qld). “The typical answer is: ‘Why on earth would you want to know?’.”
