Australia. The hottest place on earth. Where sunburn is the greatest threat to health. Where the outdoor barbie rules.

So, how come it's tipping rain and a tad chilly?

And can you believe it - I've just come through an area where there's a bush fire. It's like it can't make up its mind.

Me? I'm like the kid in the Camp Granada song eagerly awaiting the bit when I can say, "Wait a minute. It's stopped raining. Guys are swimming, guys are sailing" Until then I'm following my weather strategy.

The big weather system, or, actually three systems, just like Perfect Storm, all had a get together over Victoria. That's bottom right for the non geographers and it's spinning its way, clockwise, up towards where I just came from.

The cunning plan therefore is to circle around the bottom of it and come back up on its western edge. Like circling a drain, with Melbourne as the plug hole.

And playing in the plug hole tomorrow night is Eliana Dave, starring at the Cruising Association, in Melbourne, talking about is solo round the world.

Almost as good as having a wee boat yersell.