Get Your Feet Wet

When boat life takes its toll on your skin, it’s time for some pampering, says Helen Tidy

- Helen Tidy

I cannot be the only one who finds boat life more than a little hard on the skin, can I? It is true that I am known as something of a delicate flower in the skin department, given as I am too weird allergies and bizarre skin conditions, but even so. In fact, I know I am not alone. Not so very long ago I saw a plea from a fellow boater on social media asking for hand cream recommendations that cope with boating.

This set me to thinking. Not only can we spend a small fortune on various creams, balms and ointments, that may or may not work, but in so doing, we are frequently adding to the plastic problem as such cosmetics usually come wrapped in masses of packaging. Having begun making my own soap, I figured, how hard could it be to make my own balms and such?

The hardest thing turned out to be finding enough containers to store things in so saving jars and tins and anything that might come in handy would be wise before you begin. Nothing worse than having knocked up a batch of body butter only to discover you have nothing to decant it into!

So, let’s start with feet, shall we? Not the loveliest of part of anyone really, unless you’re a foot fetishist but I suspect most boaters have spent too long looking to be that way inclined. Earlier this year, having completed Tardebigge and made it to Netherwich Basin at Droitwich Spa, in less than perfect weather (think torrential rain, hail, and oh yes, sleet) I can promise, my feet were seriously rank. I suspect I was only a few days of developing Trench Foot. My tootsies and I were in desperate need of some pampering.