We've been wafting around in shorts and T-shirts with the temperature in the balmy mid-twenties for the last couple of weeks here in Tasmania, just fiddling about on the boat. Well, for "fiddling", read upgrading parts of the rigging, standing and running. Trying and failing to replace the computer that was "fixed" before we bought the boat and finally, inspired by the gleaming brightwork at the Wooden Boat Show, sanding and varnishing the cockpit table, pretty much the only bit of visible wood on the boat. Goodness knows how many heart attacks we might have been induced if we'd motored round and made a guest appearance at the show. The things the French can do with plastic.

Anyway, we, along with about thirty other boats are poised to head off for a wee sail around the island. And it was all looking rather grand.......right up until last night.

Wham! Thirty knots across the deck and bucketing rain and it's been blowing like stink ever since.

It's the weather's way of reminding you that while, sure it's shiny bright some days, you're still in the Southern Ocean. Maybe just the first few degrees but you're over the threshold, on its territory, so best keep a look out or you'll get whacked.

Which we are getting right now. Real happy to be in the marina.