Last few days spent catching up with old friends: Richard and Patty, and my beautiful daughters: Kate and Emma. Then it's back to work mend the torn mainsail, and - four must-do jobs before we head south for Hobart, Tasmania.

Adrienne has been sewing the big mainsail in Nick's garage; this is a huge task, at which I will be helping today, to feed the yards of sailcloth through the small throat of the sewing machine.

Yesterday Nick (our crew to Hobart) and I partially dismantled and lubed a winch. Only took us an hour, that is, after we had draped cloth curtains all around to catch any springs or things that might pop out.

Second success - we tightened up the anchor windlass casing (which was leaking grease, and topped up the lubricant.

Next two jobs - (1) Rebuild the toilet pump with valve and leathers kit. (2) Trace and cure the air leak in the raw water intake hoses. Then it's fuel and water top up, provision and we should be ready.

Weather permitting, we are aiming to leave Sydney on the 31st December.

Christmas day tomorrow, at my daughter's house! Last Christmas we were at sea.