First in First Served - from Toby

On each of the 4 floors of the Nurses Home was a large bathroom with showers, toilets, and 2 baths. The baths were large, deep, and extremely difficult to procure. The rule was, first in, first served. As long as you were able to get a spare bath, and start the water running into it, it was yours.

A few minutes early off duty was the key to getting a relaxing bath at the end of a busy day!

I would fill it to almost the top, add bubbles, and sink into the hot, luxurious, gloriously relaxing water, dozing until the water became uncomfortably cool. Sometimes, if no one else was hammering on the door wanting their turn, I would pull the plug for a bit, to allow replacement with more hot water, to extend the bathing. Sometimes a cold water bomb would come over the top, from someone waiting, and this was a clear message that time was up!

When I finally emerged from the bath I would have hands and feet like prunes, but for me, the bath ritual was well worth the effort, and continued for the duration of my time in the Quarters.