The Simple Life

Xave was asking me the other day about washing machines. (Woohoo). He wanted to know if I wanted one on the boat?

Was this a trick question??

Would I otherwise be expected to [gasp] handwash??????

You see, it's not just the physical washing of clothes (of which there will be minimal, seeing as though he's made it very clear about MY SHOES SO WHY WOULD BE CLOTHES BE ANY DIFFERENT....) that is the issue.

The issue is the power used to operate the machine. The water needed to go through the machine. The grey water generated as a result of using the machine... and so it continues..

At last I will be forced to consider the environment in a non superficial way.

At the moment, in order to have power, either the generator or the main engine (both diesel powered) need to run for a few hours each day. To a silly gal like myself - sorry Xave, I'm trying to understand it - it is all very mind boggling. Something about 12 or 24 volts something about 240 volts something charges a battery something doesn't the kettle runs on so & so volts the microwave something else we need a car charger to charge the phone the tv will need a digital marinised tuner (?!) and the lights could be bloody charged with bananas for all I know (and care).

Seriously, it's nuts.

So we've agreed to have a little bit of everything: the generator running a little bit, the main engine charging stuff whilst we're on the move, solar panels (ugly and bulky and space taking when there's not much to take) and a wind generator (which Xave says whirrs in a loudly whirring kind of way and will possibly interfere with the tv antenna).

and I've also decided on a manual washing machine - one where you turn the handle like a mad woman to spin a barrel inside which chunders the (minimal) clothes inside. That'll be a good job for Cooks. - thanks for the suggestion Trish.

Like I said. The simple life.