I'm Going on Mastermind!

The premise of the game, Mastermind, is simple. Four contestants drawn from the British public, compete against each other and the clock to earn the most points. They do this by answering genuinely difficult questions. Each is quizzed firstly for two minutes on the Specialist Subject of his or her choice, and then - in Round Two - for a further two minutes on their General Knowledge. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

During the Christmas break (after Santa brought us a TV) we watched Celebrity Mastermind, which inspired some lateral thinking.

We talked about our 'specialist subjects' and the best one I could pick was the International Collision Regulations for Boats! - exciting huh?

That was until yesterday - when I came up with the perfect subject matter that would undoubtedly earn me the highest score....  'where everything is stowed on our boat.'

Some of the supplies for crossing the Pacific. Most were stowed in the aft cabin.

For those who have lived on a boat for any amount of time - you get it - right? Those who don't, let me explain. You may think that living in a smaller place with fewer cupboards means that you can put your hand on everything you need in a moment, well it doesn't.

• Often additional galley supplies are stored beside clothes.
• Pulling up carpet and floorboards is often part of stowing.
• Containers holding doodads and thingymies are lovingly stored as 'we'll need that one day' - to be forgotten about - leaving the pot to wriggle down below everything else that has been stuffed in, beside, and on top of it!
• Dismantling beds to reach items is not unusual.
• Moving furniture has to be done.

​Plus, to keep the boat trim (fore and aft) and to prevent a list (leaning to one side), often items have to move home. On a long voyage we eat through a lot of food, use water and fuel, so to keep the boat balanced, items must be moved.

These tools had to be stowed somewhere. Many were stored in an air tight barrel that sat in the head! (Toilet).

It seems I can't remember names, what I did yesterday (or even this morning), but I can remember where each item is, was, and will be, at any given time! 

I'd receive a perfect score for my chosen subject, but I'm not sure how I'd do on the general knowledge!

What would be your chosen Speciality Subject?