A cold early start at 4.30am set us on our way to Hobart. There was a slight hitch in getting the mainsail hoisted in that the clip on the halyard (the tope that hauls up the mainsail) came undone and the halyard ended up at the top of the mast, with the mainsail still down. Never mind - we used the headsail only until there was enough light when we used another halyard (topping lift) to hoist the main. As planned, we short cut the Tasman Peninsula by going through the Marion Narrows and the Denison Canal (man-made). This was an interesting experience. The narrows is funnily enough a narrow entrance to a large bay that leads to the canal, and the sandbars at this entrance shift regularly. We had the latest information sheet and mud map from Marine and Safety Tasmania, which allowed us to make an uneventful crossing into the bay. We passed the small town of Dunnalley which is nestled in among some very pretty hills (see photo). Then we had to call up the bridgemaster on the radio so that he could open the swing bridge at the far end of the canal. Would you believe there is even a traffic light at the entrance of the canal to let boats know when the bridge is open - you can't see it at that point as it is around the corner. We then spent the afternoon sailing across Storm Bay and up the Derwent River into Hobart - a landmark in our trip as we consider this our half way point. We are tied up at the Bellerive Yacht Club and are feeling somewhat strange to be in a city after having been in some quite remote places over the last few weeks. Thanks to everyone for your messages - it is great to receive them. Also if you haven't discovered it yet, I have set up a couple of albums of selected photos in our gallery which you should be able to access by clicking the gallery link on the right hand side of the blog page.