Image: Bear Hill, Schouten Island

Our sail across Bass Strait (aka 'The Paddock') can only be described as text book perfect and as Vicky says "patience makes for predictable voyage planning" - so waiting for a suitable weather window in the shelter of Twofold Bay was worth it. We departed Eden last Wednesday 7th March and dropped anchor at Schouten Island Friday night after a wonderful down wind sail at an average of six knots!

It's been over 12 years since Tangaloa's keel last slipped through Tasmania's crystals clear waters so making land fall was a mixture of emotions full of rich memories, melancholy and excitement all slightly numbed by sleep deprivation and a stiff dram of whisky to celebrate our arrival.

After a good nights sleep we awoke to the familiar smells of coastal vegetation, a hint of autumn chill in the evening, the calls of clinker currawongs and the amazingly beautiful vistas of the dramatic granite coastline around Freycinet National Park. The image of Bear Hill on Schouten Island with Tangaloa in the foreground says it all!

One week later and a little further south in Spring Bay, Triabunna, the VHF radio reminds us we are home. The forecast is "Strong and gale wind warnings - 25 to 40 knots from the north"! Nothing like a fresh breeze to reinforce that we are home at 42 degrees south again.