Provisioning the Boat

     Outside, snow covers the ground and there's a thin layer of ice on the lake. Inside, I've completed decorating Christmas tree Number Two with tinsel. I thought that four trees were enough this year. Then I delivered some homemade cranberry relish to Diane's house and discovered that she was decorating Christmas tree Number Five. Hmmmmm. I may have to root in my storage room tomorrow and dig out one more tree to keep up with Ms. Evans. I could put up two more, but then Diane would have to find another tree, so I'll just opt to tie with her.

     My BVI trip project for today was to work the online spreadsheet for provisions (e.g. food & drinks for the boat). I don't want to waste a few hours of precious vacation time in a grocery store on Tortola. In order to save time once we are in the islands, I have all the food and beverages delivered to the boat.

     This does take planning: how many meals will be eaten on board the boat; food that is easy to prepare; meat that can be cooked on the charcoal grill rather than in the galley; menu variety; food preferences; and quantity. I know all of Roy's like and dislikes (no liver or anchovies). I sent Taya and Sallie a food questionnaire about a month ago and that helped me come up with the final menu. We will still have a couple of meals off the boat, especially the wonderful lobster on Anegada.

                                Okay, I didn't cook this lobster. It's from Neptune's on Anegada

     I will submit my food and beverage order via email about 10 days prior to departure, which means this week. I've been using Bobby's Marketplace for several years and have found their service to be very efficient. Once my order is received in the BVI, its reviewed and I receive an email confirmation.

     The food will arrive around 8-8:30 a.m. on January 4th. We'll all stow the food quickly and give the cardboard packing boxes back to the Bobby's delivery man. We never keep those boxes on the boat as they could contain bugs. Ick! It's also important to have each crew member know where the food and beverages have been stowed. One year, we didn't realize that Roy had stowed two cases of beer under a settee in the saloon. We thought we ran out of beer after a few days and some of the guys bought two more cases of beer. When we were cleaning the boat on the last night. someone discovered the two cases of beer that Roy had stowed. We had so much beer that the guys were drinking it for breakfast before we
got off as they hated to waste it. So, that is why it is important that everyone know where items are stowed.

     I'll let the food order sit for tonight and check it tomorrow. Then...zoom...it'll be emailed to Bobby's and I can check off that task.

     Sweet dreams!

      Karen