When the Wind Carried the Smell

Because we care about the environment, we collect our rubbish during a voyage and unload it when we reach a marina. On a passage lasting two or three weeks, the bags still have to be stored somewhere aboard.

During the Atlantic crossing we kept all our rubbish for 15 days and stored it at the stern. Crossing east to west under sail means following the trade winds. The wind came from astern, bringing every smell from the bags straight to us.

Eventually it became unbearable. We moved every bag to the bow to get away from the smell.

A little thought before choosing where to store things can save a lot of trouble — and a lot of stink.