Heads

Heads - The Naval and therefore Bootneck term for the bathroom. Why? In the days of sailing ships the place where the crew relieved themselves was on the rope supports of the ship's bowsprit. (The pointy thing that goes in front above the figure-head) Imagine hanging onto the shrouds in a blow, being soaked and trying to read 50 shades of gray.

Tradition is one hell of a beast. The Heads are of course now inside, they are always kept immaculate, how many of you get under your sinks and make sure they are as shiny outside as inside? The name and "slanguage" still applies ashore or afloat.

There was a Blackbird in the water bowl this morning going through it's ablutions. This always takes me back to 1972 when 41 Commando were briefly based in an internment camp near Dhekelia, Cyprus. The toilets were 28 deep holers, side by side backed by another 28 behind you. One quickly learned to lose inhibitions and embarrassment. Showers did not exist, sinks did, so we did what Bootnecks have done for centuries and adapted. The sink would be filled with the tepid stuff they called water, this was lashed around your body, rigorously soaped then sluiced off. Which is why the Blackbird bath always takes me back to my youth and makes me stop and smile. I was barely 20.