At the moment there are just the two of us onboard.  A young chap who needs ocean miles for his quals will join us here and on through to Sydney.

We are currently hanging on a strong fishing boat mooring in Spring Bay near Triabunna on Tas' SE Coast (42.31.245 / 147.55.000).  All of last night it was (yes Christina), "a bit blustery" when a nasty front travelled across Tassie.  Yesterday Storm Force wind warnings were current for most of the state's coastal waters.  We had our wind speed alarm set at 60 kts and it was constantly in and out of alarm for about 6  hrs. Our wind speed reads a few knots too high but it was still blowing bloody hard.  Our max recorded gust was 76 kts.

Slowly escaping from Tassie... We were about a week late with our planned departure from Hobart due to a constant procession of cold fronts.  It has started to get bloody cold and wintery here now.  We had a pleasant day sail to Port Arthur for an overnighter and then off and around Cape Pillar (through "Hole In The Wall" - Tasman Is & Cape Pillar) and into the teeth of a NNW screamer, 35 - 55 kts.  Slowly worked our way up to the southern side of Maria Island and then up Mercury Passage and into here at about 2000 hrs in overcast total blackness.  Sailing past all the lights of the woodchip mill and load-out wharf was very comforting.

The weather looks like coming southerly(ish) and we're hoping to make a break for The Strait tomorrow evening or early Friday.  We're looking forward to the weather warming as we go, although it won't happen quickly.

Best regards,
Gus (& the Admiral)