hello from Bruny Island

I'm afraid it's ages since I last wrote. We seem to have spent a lot of time battling high winds or motoring with no wind at all, today in short sleeves an shorts, and other days with fleeces and windproof jackets.

We eventually got to Hobart, and anchored in a bay only a mile from Bob and Barbara's house. That evening they drove their pick up to the little beach, and loaded our dinghy on to it so that we could go to their house for dinner and not worry about it! We are a bit sensitive these days. Then yesterday we loaded up and set off with them for a 4-day trip to Bruny Island. Tuesday is Australia Day, so lots of people make it a long weekend. Quite a few boats in the anchorages, (ie 6 with us here!) . This part of the island is a national park and very pretty. Position 43 24 661 S and 147 06.585 E. B and B went for a long walk today, while we kept an eye on the boat and did a longish beach walk and part of their path too.

On our return we will probably get into a marina as B and B have kindly said we can borrow their car to do some land stuff. B starts school next week but walks to work, and B uses the pick up. They have a lovely little stone house dating from about 1830, and B has done a huge amount of work on it, adding roof windows so that they can use the roof space as a bedroom - with views over the distant mountains, and they have replastered the walls and put in a new kitchen.

Well, the gang are busy eating all the snacks and drinking up the wine, so I'll go and join them but will write more soon.