Just a short e-mail to let you all know that we made it safely to Hobart. We arrived to a rousing welcome from Gabby's family members, followed by the obligatory champagne etc. As for our sailing to date, we really have had more than our fair share of head winds. I guess that's sailing, but broad reaching or going downwind is faster and more fun.

Something nice... everywhere we've stopped people have been really friendly and helpful.

Kangaroo Island was interesting. A late night arrival into the bay Kingscote and then we were in American River for three nights. It is renowned for it's great fishing. When we were there it was to hide from bad weather so we didn't catch any fish. It blew really hard.

After that, in the middle of the night off the SE of corner of South Aust had to dive under the boat to free a craypot line that had wrapped up on the prop shaft... not my idea of a night out.

Port Fairy in western Vic is a really beautiful, picturesque little town (Maree T you're right). Had a fab stopover there.

Next a brief stay on the east side of King Island. Fine weather and a hire car for a day was just the ticket. Dinner at the Grassy Club was highlight with the cheap little restaurant inside being operated by an ex Melbourne scene, 5 star chef. Amazing food.

Then it was off to Strahan on Tassie's west coast and fortunately a calm entry through Hells Gates into Macquarie Harbour at daybreak . After well over thirty years, going through in the Gates was still familiar from when "that young man" was fishing off the west coast. (Every pub there still feels like coming home). We went right up the Gordon River too.

We're now moored in Jim's pen at the end of Elizabeth St Pier in the middle of Hobart. It's a beaut place to be and only steps from the city centre.

We expect to depart for the Tas east coast around about the third week of May and then back across Bass Strait to continue on up to Sydney and parts north.

Best regards from Gus and Gabby.
PS. Please stay in touch