Yes, after two days and nights at glorious Palm Beach, Pittwater, we are once again out on the briny, heading South in light winds, expecting to be anchored by 8 pm tonight.

Working the high tide and the forecast Nor'easterlies, we are hoping for a fairly quick and painless cruise to the land of my childhood and growing up, university and art school. Just like Tonga or French Polynesia, this is a foreign country - childhood, the young man breaking out, hopes and dreams, so far away, and poorly remembered. Yet the air tastes like home.

Sydney is a great town. Tomorrow some time with Claire, Adrienne's daughter, and Nick, who will sail with us to Hobart, then the next day to sail the whole length of the beautiful harbour, go under the harbour bridge, and find ourselves an anchorage in Rozelle bay, in the working port area.

Then to visit with my daughter Emma. Plenty of time, to catch up with friends. And have a bath.


Pic: This morning we bent on the original mainsail, mended in Nuku Hiva, after sending the ripped one back with Nick. Adrienne will sew it back together at Claire's house.