Here we go...

It’s hard to know how to start this really, not being someone who writes a lot or at all really (unless its a shopping list!). I know they say everyone has a book in them but I am starting to think more realistically a bullet point list?!?! But I will give it a go on this little Blog!

I have copied all the background to my adventure from my facebook if anyone fancies reading how I got here feel free..

Tuesday 3 February 2009

My Last week in Australia

Well after a good flight from Melbourne and trains and ferry rides I arrive back in Manly to spend a relaxing day at the beach and visit Liz and Caylea. I have a few things lined up for my last week but mainly just saying goodbye to friends and getting organised for South Africa really. I spend a few hours with my South African friend Ryan trying to call up some hotels and tours and get an idea what to do when I get to Johannesburg on the 4th Feb. At the moment I am very organised, but I have a lonely planet so am sure that it will all come together fine!

I start to organise hotels and book tours, Kruger and the like and am seeing loads of stuff to do in Cape Town so it should be a fun packed month. In the evening I head over to the CYCA for my last twilight race, it should be interesting as Ed is skippering, Stu and Tom are there so I remember a few people and Lana comes along in the evening for drinks. We come 9th this week which apparently is about average given the boats handicap, but it was great fun. Ed takes it very seriously, but it was still fun and there were quite a few people along for the ride. Just me Stu and Tom were trimming, I was tailing on the jib sheets... Stu was giving me advice with the strong winds on technique to make sure I was tailing quick enough, only problem was the "technique" ended up with me running across the deck and having a little accident with a winch! I now have a rather large bruise on my arse as a result and was just lucky at the time that the winch handle wasn't around... hmm!

As ever wet and bruised after just a short race and its off for a few drinks with everyone, a little fun and then trying to catch the ferry... not very successfully! Its a pain to miss it as you have to wait ages for the next one. But some good points were that the girl behind the bar in the CYCA remembered me from Xmas Day (hmmmm.... I wonder why!) and that I was bribing staff for their Sydney Hobart shirts. Well it would seem that there are a few left over and she tells me to pop over Sat to pick them up.. cool, another souvenir... I know that Steve (from the crew) will be dead jealous because he was the one who really wanted the shirt! So sometimes it does pay to have a few drinks before the race and be a little cheeky.... ha ha ;) !

Next day, despite my winch injury I get going for my surf lesson. Its a group lesson, there are quite a few of us and to start with only one instructor. Its funny you get 5 minutes instruction and then you are off. Basically fantastic fun but a congestion nightmare, the guys would push you off a wave and in front you would have 5 Japanese tourists just staring at you waiting to be run over.... half that time you are falling off to avoid a collision! (thats my story anyway!) After 2 hours beating through waves and jumping up on the board I realise I love it but am not really getting anywhere. I think the only option is to keep going until I get it and can stand up! I was well and truly battered by the waves, had a few washing machine moments not to mention the board smacking me in the face... hmm! Thankfully the boards are kind of polystirene or something so no damage. I have to say though, I am getting into the beach life and all these adrenalin sports...

In the evening Liz gets a night off, yay... and we go for a lovely meal at Bluewater (cafe... not shopping centre.. ha.. ha !) have a few drinks as she is allowed a couple in the evening and is easily tipsy. We have a fun walk home and relive our travelling days with a typical visit to the kiddy playground where we go on a kind of round about thing.. hard to describe, and hard to sit on easily with my current bruises! Liz suggests lying on my front in a star shape... apparently its fun (easily led I do this !), but fun is not a word I would use... scarey springs to mind.. so for risk of further injury we soon stop (plus people have started to stare a little as if we are mad!) don't want to hurt myself before I get to stand up surfing those waves.

Anyway, the next day I get my private surf lesson with James brilliant fun and much more chance of standing up.. which happens eventually, its a great feeling even though I think it lasted about a second before I piled into the water again.. hmmm, its not easy this surfing lark

I head to the CYCA on the Saturday on the off chance of picking up the staff Sydney to Hobart T-shirt and am lucky to get 2, then its a trip down memory lane in Kings Cross with a few drinks in the Bourbon and beefsteak... , then back to Manly for drinks.

Sunday in Manly is the Cole Classic with hundreds of swimmers doing the ocean swim between Shelly and Manly beach, more leaving drinks on the wharf, followed by dinner with Richard and his wife,

My last day is spent with Liz and Caylea in Coogee, more memories and a trip to the old Dundas street house, shame to see it is being completely gutted and there is a skip outside picking up what is left of the old place. Then finish off with dinner with Liz on the wharf before I pack and head off for another adventure in South Africa... can't wait!!

Monday 26 January 2009

Melbourne

Well I for some reason booked a ridiculously early flight to Melbourne, think I was thinking we could make the most of the day... but getting up at 4.30am was a bit silly!! Anyway, got to Melbourne on the regular commuter run and after some confusion Paddy managed to pick me up. It was great to see him as it had been about 3yrs since he was last in London and even then you only have an evening of drinks to catch up.

So we dropped my stuff at his apartment (very nice I might add!), then headed into the city for a walk around and down to the Southbank for a spot of lunch. Was very lucky to also meet up with Carolyn for a quick drink at lunch time and caught up on her travels a little.

Then it was off for another walk and then back to Paddy's to get ready for a friends BBQ. Apparently this whole Australia Day weekend is just filled with BBQs so should be fun. We head down towards Melbourne Park where the tennis is being held (Australian Open apparently, I totally forgot that was on!) but on the south side of the river where there are free public gas BBQs (another great aussie invention).

There I meet a few of Paddy's friends, eat some food and drink some wine before we stroll back into the city to Paddy's favourite bar called Robot. A cute place that seems a little like a family and Paddy is known by everyone so we are well looked after. Then off to a friends house for a few drinks, where on arrival we are greated with a room full of young female german backpackers... its quite funny, looks a bit like a photo shoot and paddy gets handed about 10 cameras for a group shot!! Anyway, apparently there is a thing called couch surfing, which is basically backpackers going to peoples homes and staying on the sofa rather than in hostels.. interesting idea..

Saturday is a bit of a lazy day, we head over to the markets on the outskirts and go for breakfast, Melboure is quite a spread out city with lots of little cafe areas scattered around. Its quite nice and slow paced compared to Sydney. So we have a little mooch around the city basically and take it easy with a DVD in the evening as we have kite boarding lessons early morning.

The next morning we head to St Kilda, meet Timo our instructor and hit the beach... the first lesson is kite control only so we are not getting wet! Just on the beach going through the kites, the controls and safety. Its great fun and even though its very light winds you can get dragged easily and feel the force of it, should be exciting on the water on a board I think. I have a few teething problems at the start with Timo saying "go left, go left, go left" but I am going right... ha ha, after a few times he finally gives in saying "I am not going to tell you what to do as you jsut ignore it anyway..." ;), I just tell him that as a girl I can't work out my right from left, eventually I get there. Even so in the meantime I managed to crash land the kite on Paddy's head.... good job we are given helmets to wear for this sport.

Anyway, the kite work was great fun, much easier once you are strapped in to the big harness and I can't wait to carry on lessons... think that may be one for Cape Town as I am starting to rack up a list of things I want to do there.

Then after we have a spot of lunch we hit the markets and grab some BBQ food and then back to Paddys for a quick dip in the pool then ready for the guests to turn up. Dave a friend of Paddys turns up with a keg of beer and a case of beer, he owns his own brewery now apparently as well as a bar so good person to know for a party (not to mention his jobs as a physio and accountant!). I personally hate beer but the bottled beer he brought was not bad, but not that I am going to drink more than a mouthful... yukky stuff!!

We had a great night, and managed to skype Charys and have a little video call... however we forgot at the time the laptop was playing the music for the party, so everyone basically had to listen to the call... oooops! I went to bed a little earlier than everyone else because I had booked tickets for the tennis tomorrow and wanted to be sure I got up for it.

So my last day was at the tennis, it was Aussie day so lots of people in flags, with face paints and the usual. The tennis was great and really got me into the fact I want to go back to my tennis club and get into tennis again (haven't really done much since tearing my calf muscle!) so have that to look forward to. Serena's match was going well it was just a shame her opponent got sick, she looked like she was going to faint.. not sure if its the heat (it is pretty hot!) Melbourne is getting record highs next week is going to be a heatwave warning as they hit 40C + .... glad I will be back in Sydney for just the 30C temps phew....!

Saw a little of Nadal and then it was off to watch Andy Murray, what a great game... the atmosphere was great. Loads of Brits there supporting him and We Love You Andy banners around. Loads of singing, "if you love Andy Murray clap you hands" ha ha, it was just such a shame that he lost out. Verdasco was playing really well and just uped his game in the end (and is pretty cute I might add...!)

The rest of the time I just strolled round taking it in, with the Wii stand were you can play virtual tennis, and the swing ball stand... its very kid orientated but lots there to do and a fun atmosphere.

Then took a last stroll round the city, taking in Aussie day and also Chinese New Year celebrations and fireworks then back to the apartment packing up ready to return to Sydney and my last week in Oz.

Thursday 22 January 2009

Back in Manly

Back in Manly again and very happy to have a new apartment after being upgraded to an apartment with bigger rooms, a small swimming pool on roof, and a fabulous beach view.

I only have a few days in Manly before I head off to Melbourne so its really just catching up with friends after my adventures and chilling on the beach. Took a little day trip up to Narabeem Lagoon where a few water sports are done and had lunch near Pittwater Harbour.

Planning what to do next before I leave and also starting to finally plan South African trip. Really not much else to tell really! Just nice to be relaxing in the sunshine...

I did have a fabulous seafood meal with friends near Middle Harbour, oysters, balmain bugs... they are like mini lobsters and delicious, scallops, and blue eyed cod... yummy!!!

Monday 19 January 2009

New Zealand - Kiakoura

So off I am again this time flying not sailing unfortunately, but looking forward to what feels like a holiday from my holiday... ! A nice restful weekend break in Kiakoura. I leave on Thursday evening with Amy, flying from Sydney to Christchurch... the flight is about 2 1/2 hours, nice and easy and we arrive at midnight due to the time difference (2+ hrs ahead of Sydney).

We just crash at the airport hotel for the evening and then up early a bite to eat then we get a hire car and its off to Kiakoura which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive north up the coast. We get there for midday and check into what is described as a luxury spa... hmmm not quite, the rooms are really nice but no sign of a spa..?!? Was a little put out with the owner practically having a go at me for using a website other than his direct one to make the booking... I get the feeling he doesn't make much money that way. Tough!!

Luckily I booked the dolphin swim before we left, basically got the last 2 places on the last day available over the weekend thankfullly.. so Sunday at 5.30am we head out!! In the meantime we take a wander around have some lunch, soak up the sunshine (ah yes... it is sunny and warm as i was expecting Hobart weather!!) check out the beach (or pebbles!) and book a few things. We book to go swimming with Seals tomorrow morning, Amy goes for diving and book up a snorkel tour. The water is currently 15C, or feezing to you and me! So its funny that all the things to do are in the water... just praying for dry suits or something.

So its up and off to swim with seals first, we get our 14mm wet suits with hoods... very cosy! Then a short ride out to the seal colony and its in the water. We have our snorkel gear, and its head down in the water and almost straight away I spot a seal swimming. Visibility is a little poor, only a couple of metres so you can only see them once they are up close. Its amazing to see them swim and laze around in the wild. At one point one swims under me when I am lying on my back trying to sort out my snorkel gear and it comes up to sniff my bum... ha ha! Maybe it thought I was a large seal...

We spend a good couple of hours swimming which is excellent, the seals have us swimming all over the place so plenty excercise for this... and you need to keep moving as the water is so so so cold. The rest of the day we spend wandering Kiakoura and going to the seal colonies around the town.

After that its up at the crack of dawm 5.30am!! to swim with dolphins. I have to say though it is totally worth it, the experience is amazing. They come over and look you straight in the eye and swim round in circles with you and then duck round and under. Its a funny sight to see all these people in the water snorkelling and singing to keep the dolphins interested, the only songs I can think of are "lets all look on the bright side of life!" from Life of Brian and the theme to the muppet show... ha ha , but it seems to work, or mabye they ust think I am weird!

We see so many dolphins its fantastic, they all come up close and you can see the marks on them from when they mate... apparently they are the only other mammal that mates for fun..!! It is a shame you can't touch them soc you do really want to just reach out, it takes a bit to remember to keep your arms at your side. Its such a great experience and the dolphins are so playful, more interactive than the seals had been funnily.. (think the seals were a bit lazy when we went out!) you see them jumping out of the water and playing around you. Defintitely a worthwhile experience!

Unfortunately, in the afternoon the weather out in the water takes a turn for the worse and the tours are cancelled, no snorkel or diving, so we head out down the track from Kiakoura to the local winnery and do a little wine and cheese tasting in the afternoon. Lovely place, great wine and good fun... it has a fabulous sea view too and its a lovely hot sunny day.

We head back to Christchurch the next day to get our flight but have a little time to chill in the city and grab lunch, then its back to Sydney!!

Thursday 15 January 2009

Ulladulla to Sydney

We left the beach house early with the relevant supplies, cheese and ham toasties, wine, beer and bundy! I motored us out of the harbour, very precarious stuff as there is a lot of reef around Ulladulla and Bob tells me last time the boat had a little accident so I am being very careful and following the leads which basically guide you through safe water.

Once we are clear of the reef we head up to Sydney, its an absolutely gorgeous day hot sunny and we have a great breeze... top speed of the day I catch at 13.1 Knots... yay!! To be honest I spend 90% of my time on the helm and am pretty happy, we have dolphins cruising with us again and manage to get a better video than the previous leg of the delivery when the sea was rougher and darker!

One comment I will make is that I have never eaten so much cheese in my life... after the initial pork chops its been cheese toastie, cheese and ham toastie... cheese and salsa quesadillas, cheese and bread, cheese and crackers... of couse we have wine with the cheese!! I think next time I shouldn't be so hungover when the supplies are being bought for a delivery...

We get to Sydney for 1am on the 13th Jan, lots of hugs and kisses in the crew and good work for getting here and in one piece, no damage and a great little downwind run the whole way. Who could ask for more. So a few little celebratory drinks and then off to bed....

The next morning its up, off to the CYC for breakfast before getting started on cleaning up the boat. This takes a couple of hours then we take it easy, relax have a drink. Amy comes for a visit and we do lunch at the CYC with her and her sister Lucy. Its good to catch up, and we arrange to do the Twilight race tomorrow evening on the AFR Midnight Rambler with the delivery crew and a few extras who race weekly. Its a chilled day on the Tuesday with a nice dinner in the evening at Double Bay with Steph, Sue and some of their friends, then back to the boat.

Wednesday I pop back to Manly to start sorting things out for New Zealand on Thursday, then its back to the CYC for the twilight race. Have a fabulous time, the race is great although I get pretty bruised rolling about the boat trimming the headsail. Its a fun race though, we go upwind to the end of the harbour then back downwind where you crack open a beer, then a few more up and downwind shorter runs and we are back in! Nice and quick and a bit of fun, we at least beat the main rival of AFR which is good but no idea where we came overall.

We meet Stu and Lana (from Hobart race on AFR) on the dock, then off to the bar for drinks where we run into the getaway sailing crew and Charles from my watch on the Sydney to Hobart. After staying till the bar shuts, we head back to the boat for a little party and to drink what is left on there, then finally get to sleep. Bob Bert and Bill are back to Mackay and I head off first thing in the morning and go back to Liz's to crash for the day, then pack and in the evening I head to the airport for my next adventure in NZ with Amy going to Kiakoura.... very excited!

Sunday 11 January 2009

Eden to Ulladulla

This was a very quick trip, got into Ulladulla at 5.30am so around 12hours of sailing. Started well with dolphins surfing along the boat (I keep forgetting to mention then as I am getting used to seeing them, and little pengiuns in the bays and seals floating in the ocean, not to mention the albatross with their spectacular wings swooping down or hoping we are a fishing boat leaving left overs... ) and me cruising along downwind as always! The boys call this champagne sailing...

The wind picks up a little, 30 knots and I am held back from the helm... I was given about 5mins to show my worth in heavy winds but apparently it didn't come naturally quickly enough! So it sitting and watching the dolphins surfing alongside us for the rest of the trip to Ulladulla. Can't complain as I did get to navigate and plan this passage, so I settle for checking out position as we travel up the coast and trying to make out the lights along the coast line.

On arrival Bill as always, reliable in his delivery of the cup of tea and bacon and egg sarnie... although there have been a few laughs when I ask for lemon and ginger tea with honey... 3 old salty sea dogs hadn't heard that one before!!

I spend most of the day reading my navigation book, yes I am getting a bit keen on this sailing lark if you hadn't noticed by now. I reckon I will have finished the book by Sydney. We get a visit from the harbour master who comes to tell us about another Hobart boat that is coming in with a broke mast... hilariously it is what is left of Kioni the boat I had in the Hobart. So glad I am not on that one..!

We head to a nice Italian in the evening, then on to the local pub. Just me and Bert hang on with a few drinks later, running into the not so happy delivery crew from the Kioni we find out that the vang (holds up the boom) finally gave in and the boom broke on the way up. It seems that most people are not cruising in the fabulous conditions we have been so I have to commend Bob on his fantastic skill in reading the forecast and wind and deciding when we leave! Obvioulsy its my navigation too (ha ha !).

So anyway, after a few games of pool and meeting many of the locals (probably should have stopped winning at pool!) we actually get thrown out... well Bert does, he was advised by a young bouncer that he was intoxicated and needed to leave. We didn't argue, in fact he probably did us a favour and saved us money on pool and the juke box.. not to mention more drink. Apparently though it is almost impossible to get thrown out. Only one other person got thrown out and he threatened to blow the pub up! So Bert is now a legend in Ulladulla.

Next day we meet Berts friends Sue and Stephane and their daughter Olivia. They own a beach house near the surfing beaches of Ulladulla and have been kind enough to offer us a place to stay for a few days. Its great to relax, get to the beach and chill out for a few days before we finally set sail for Sydney. Everyone is so nice and I am being so well looked after, feeling very spoilt I have to say. It is just such a wonderful experience and so many really truly kind, generous and interesting people who will hopefully be friends.

Steph is going to be joining us on the sail back to Sydney which is planned for first thing on the 12th Jan, until then it is great food, great wine, great company and a double bed hmmmm luxury!!

Thursday 8 January 2009

Fortescue Bay to Eden

Once again we rose early, I think it was about 5.30am… this time though greeted with a nice cup of tea and a bacon and egg sarnie from Bill! Excellent start to the day. We head out of the Bay and are on our way across the Bass Straits over to mainland Australia and Eden. Eden is an old whaling and fishing village and the last safe haven before the crossing the straits going South.
Bob starts training me in navigation, going through fixes and charts its all coming back from some of the stuff Ben taught me on the delivery to Malta. So my day is spent doing fixes down the coast to practice, bit dodgy to start but gets better as the day goes by.

Its still chilly, but the weather is perfect for sailing and I have my 3 teachers on board happy to give me pointers advice and help me learn. I helm as much as I can, and really love the boat it handles really well and is nice to sail. Come midnight the wind picks up and there is a bit of chaos as we put in a reef to depower the boat. Its only 25-30 knots but we are cruising, no point busting the boat on the way back. Finally get the reef in and I hear Bert shout up “fancy a beer Bob!”, so they crack open a post reefing beer for the night… funny..!

Crossing the Bass straits is great, we have fantastic weather, no motoring, all downwind reaching.. as Bob says a gentleman never goes upwind! Spoilt again with tea, and bacon and egg from Bill. We settle easily into the day and routine of cruising. Come sundown we have our happy hour, a few drinks, cheese and biscuits. It’s all very civilised!

In the evening we seem to be attracting wildlife, the boat is hit by a tiger shark trying to get into Bert’s bunk we think! You can see it come out of the water after the thud on the side of the boat. Next a sun fish, just a giant fish with tiny fins that is a lump of muscle (pretty common that they hit boats apparently!), anyway, it hits the keel and bounces off the rudder affecting the steering for a minute but it doesn’t feel like there is any permanent damage.

We make it to Eden around midday on the 6th Jan, raft up along side another Hobart boat called Yeah Baby which is run by two identical twins. Bert, Bob and Bill all compliment me on my helming which is very cool, considering they all have about 100+ years sailing between them its quite a compliment. We head for showers, always a relief after a few days at sea. We enjoy some great seafood for lunch and an afternoon in the local pub. We meet a friend of Bob’s who runs a company doing boat deliveries, always good to make contacts for the future… you never know!
Then back to the boat in the evening for a pizza delivery, yep they deliver to the boat… and a few drinks as we have plenty to get through!

The next day we do a little tourism and visit the museum, hearing the story of Old Tom a killer whale that helped the men in the village to catch Sperm Whales. It’s quite an interesting story, and it is said that Old Tom died of a broken heart when he was betrayed by the men who then killed one of the killer whales! The Killer whales then left Eden for good and the whaling industry died very quickly without the Killer whales help... !

And Bob was a real sweetheart and bought me a book on navigation to help me on the trip. Can’t wait to get started reading it. Then after a few drinks and some food we head back to move the boat across the Bay. This is to avoid the heavy weather forecast, so we anchor in the Bay with a few other boats and wait it out. The plan is to leave late afternoon tomorrow 8th Jan so that we have another good downwind run to Ulladulla where we have an appointment with friends of Bert’s.

Before we head off though we are invited to tea and cake by one of the boats, this is for a birthday Anna and Angus are the boat owners and have basically spent a year cruising the pacific, Tahiti, Galapagos, Fiji to name a few with their 3 kids… now that sounds fantastic to me! So we have tea and cake and then head on our way for an overnight run to Ulladulla.

Saturday 3 January 2009

Leaving Hobart and on to Fortescue Bay on the Delivery

We are all up at day break to see a beautiful sunrise and out at 6.30am, I steered us out of the harbour and basically helmed most of the way. I am wearing every layer I own as the weather is absolutely freezing. My phone is off and we are sailing! Pulling out of Hobart we wave farewell and I hear the first cough of the day (beer cough that is!). I have been trained that the boys have a certain cough which is indication that a beer is needed! Very funny… so a quick toast to Hobart as we head north to warmer climbs…

It was a short day, a little motoring to start but then a great sailing run up the coast and into the Bay. We arrived there at around 2pm and anchored up. I am getting to do most things on the boat which is great, learning what I can when I can.

Shortly after we pull up Glenn from getaway sailing pulls up and rafts along side us. He knows the guys as he is also from Mackay! So we spend the afternoon and evening chilling together.
Bob puts on pork chops, mash and veg… fabulous first night dinner, with some wine and a little Jimmy Buffet… something I have to get used to! The three of them are Jimmy’s number one fans and as we have a CD player and the only CDs seem to be Jimmy I am thinking I will know all the words by Sydney!

Friday 2 January 2009

New Year Celebrations

Woke on NYE raring to go!! We had to head back to the boat to finish off the clean, which took about 30 mins. So after that we basically headed back to customs house to have hair of the dog! I went with Ben our bowman up to Shippies to meet Bob and Jos, some of the AFR crew and Bert (who was joining us on the delivery) for a long lunch. Great lunch and a few bottles of wine later and it was back to customs house to get ready for NYE celebrations.

A few more of the crew joined us at Customs House, and the plan was to meet up with Bob and Jos at the rambler for the midnight fireworks. Unfortunately, time flew by and being a little worse for wear I got lost in the harbour trying to find the AFR…. It was one of those nights when all networks are down on mobiles again so it was a nightmare getting in touch with anyone…
But eventually found my original crew with 10 mins to go till the new year and saw the fireworks with a bottle of fizzy stuff on Kioni! Then back to Customs House to finish off the celebrations. I have to change my original comments and say that there are a few people in the crew that I would definitely like to stay in touch with and see again back in the UK, the experience was definitely enriched for their being a part of it.

New Years Day I had an early start, meeting Bob, Jos and Bert at the boat for brekkie and then off to do the victualing for the delivery from Hobart back to Sydney on the AFR Midnight Rambler. It was only then that I noticed the set up for the heads (toilet). Usually in race mode the toilet is a bucket! In delivery there is a toilet on boat in the bow, all open plan no doors on this one!! Ha ha, should be interesting… The boat is very basic, compact a bijou as you might say…

Anyway, so the victualing went well and everything got put on the boat. This is a new type of delivery for me as it is more of a pleasure cruise really back up to Sydney. You can tell when the final food and drinks bill is 30% food and 70% drink (3 cases of wine, 4 cases of beer, 4 bottles of rum and a bottle of vodka… yep you guessed that one was for me!). This should be a fun delivery!

After the work was done we took a peak at the “Quiet Little Drink” at Shippies which is an all day event, bbq, drinks, music, and basically every yachtie in town is there… fantastic atmosphere and great fun. We had a good time there and then headed down to taste of Tasmania to meet more friends of Bob and Jos.

Taste of Tasmania is basically a marquee filled with different local produce, wine, seafood, meat, fruit, cheese, chocolate and basically you can but a whole product or a taste. It is a great way to spend time and eat and drink well. We tucked in to fantastic seafood, wine and cheeses and deserts until we could eat and drink no more. Great way to start the year…

I have to mention the weather here in Tasmania because it is crazy, and well I certainly wasn’t ready for it… it is summer here, and this morning it snowed enough to make snowballs. Then the sun came out and blazed, then the wind blew and it was freezing, then the rain poured and stopped as quickly as it started followed by more sunshine and steam coming off the streets. So you never know what to wear and it’s a constant layer system of clothing to stay warm or keep cool…

On the 2nd January I moved from the hotel to the boat and met the final member of the crew, Bill. So the crew is Bob, Bill, Bert and me. I spent the day getting ready to start the delivery on the 3rd,! I am very excited as Bob keeps teasing that this is a single-handed delivery to Sydney and the boys plan on sitting back and relaxing! Can’t wait