Summer is here, at least seems to be here, because in Tasmania we are careful to roll the eyes or raise the eyebrows and use an ironical tone of voice as we say it. Summer is not inevitable, as it is in Sydney, for example.

So with the warmer weather we are thinking of working on the boat, to bring her back to full seagoing condition. The problem is ... we are thinking about it, and not doing it! Puzzled by this lack of motivation, Adrienne and I sought some guidance from the hoary Chinese I Ching, of which you can ask any question at all. When the oracle spoke it advised to keep the Bluebottle, and not sell. We were both delighted, demonstrating that it's not hocus pocus, but leads you past your own confusion to an answer already within your mind.

So we are freshly energized, and have started working on her already. One of the main reasons to keep her is that we have some grandchildren who are very interested in the boat - what a wonderful thing, as a child, if you have a Grandma and Grandpa who have a real sailing boat!

Photo: Earlier days - family summer day, on Antares, Lime Bay, Tasmania.