23 December 2009 Hobart Tasmania

I'm in Tasmania researching potential crew for illywhacker at the same
time as enjoying the company of old sailing friends. The waterways
around this most southern state of Australia have some similarity to
Canada and even Alaska. If I were to cruise these waters in the future,
the heaters aboard and efficient insulation would most certainly be
appreciated. There are many quiet anchorages here with good fishing,
challenging walks and plentiful bird and animal life. After my last year
of despair and subsequent gradual rebuild, perhaps a year of local
cruising would be a good tonic. To all those friends and readers of this
diary, I thank you for allowing me a diversion from the true purpose of
this, a cruising yacht site. While illywhacker and her travels have been
my life, none would have been possible without Lyndall, my companion all
the way. Losing her has meant a huge adjustment which has been reflected
in these paragraphs and I thank all those who have written with kind
emails of support. May you all have a happy holiday season and an
adventurous 2010.