I have been meaning to thank, individually, each one of you who wrote back to me. Thank you so much for all the encouragement.  Alas, tiredness got the better of me and I am only now managing to, briefly, send something.

We’ve been in Tasmania for just over five months. They were the toughest ones of my life.  Following this ordeal I asked Pete to write me an ode – whatever that means. He is agonising over it. So you might wish to give him a helping hand! I am still recovering. And so is our relationship which was put through quite some strain.

I will not dwell on this hardship, suffice to say: no more boat work for me and no more new boats. I am adamant, I am done with it. I mean it. Hold me to it.  

In a state of shock I could not bring myself to take any pictures of the neglected China Moon we found. Then I had no desire or time to photograph yet more boat work. So like by some magic, four months on the China Moon was transformed into a cheerful pink boat. We are sailing again! 

One enduring memory I will hold of Tasmania are the gutsy and gusty winds that seemed to blow incessantly, with fury, by surprise, like from nowhere, in an instant and so too they would vanish. Add to that the wilderness of its imposing coastal cliffs and you get the gist of it.  Our cruising of mere three weeks was short but not without its excitement. I am getting used to a totally different boat from Kokachin.  More on that at some other point.

We are both very much looking forward to our Tasman Sea crossing to Nelson, New Zealand. Setting off in 12 hours! 

The sea with its infinite cleansing powers should wash away all that earth life brings.  The simple, pure, essential existence will enable our rebirth / reunion to Neptune & Venus with only beautiful memories to cherish.

Three Cheers to China Moon and us sailing again!