Random reminder

Press, 9 May 1983, Page 30

Random reminder

BACKWASH

They are the proud possessors of an ocean-going yacht and in it were returning from an overseas trip. But foreign travel can be expensive, even in one’s own yacht; and if the silver spoon that was in one’s mouth at birth was a mere teaspoon, one has to use one’s wits to keep financially afloat. And so it came to pass that our man, who must have had smuggler’s blood in his villainous veins, hit bn the idea of importing illicitly a quantity of gin that he was able to get his ask-no-questions-tell-no-lies hands on.

Nearing their beloved homeland, to evade official investigations as to the nature of his nest egg, he took precautions by emptying the reserve water tank

and filling it up with gin. No doubt led by Bacchus, the gods were on his side. When the customs came aboard there was no trouble at all and they were quickly given a clean pass. With this ordeal over, he showered and dressed, then went ashore to attend to a litle business matter, leaving his wife behind to do the tidying up. Later that day he returned to his yacht and a very distraught spouse who tearfully explained how she had inadvertently soaked their dirty washing in a tubful of what turned out to be their precious gin and then, in her dismay, she had pulled out the plug. We can only hope that the local herrings enjoyed getting soused.