Going through customs

The view from customs house . Hotel that is 

Would you believe ?

A walrus escaped from Antarctica . Got through immigration 

Made it

There it is .

We have just turned north into Storm Bay . Long slow cruise for the last 40 miles .

Finally almost nearlySEC=UNCLASSIFIED

We have slowed down now to time our arrival but finally I have seen Australia once more . Well not quite but I have seen the light of Maatsuyker island off the southern tip of Tasmania . It’s still around 25nm away but it’s there . Several of us were on the bridge straining our eyes for this monumental event . Never seen as much excitement over a tiny flash of light on the horizon . Bed time now up early to smell the gum trees and maybe have phone coverage

Nearly there !SEC=UNCLASSIFIED

We are getting ever closer now to Tasmania and hopefully late this arvo we might even get a glimpse of some mountains . We are coming in pretty much slightly to the west of Tasmania and are now tracking all but due east and will travel along the southern tip and then turn north again into storm bay in the morning . Wind is coming from the NW so unlike 86 I don’t think I will smell the eucalyptus before we sight the land

All going well I should have a beer in hand by 1600 tomorrow

Warming up, well maybeSEC=UNCLASSIFIED

The outside temp has just hit double figures at just over 10 degrees . But it’s windy grey overcast day with intermittent drizzle and it’s cold out . A nice sunny windless 0 would be much much nicer and warmer !

Time travel !SEC=UNCLASSIFIED

We continue on our ENE course towards Hobart and soon we will need to head more easterly as we are not that far south of Hobart but quite a way west south of Perth at the moment . Normally I have a nap in the afternoon however I’m not sure how I will be able to this afternoon as we are doing a 4 hour time shift in one hit after lunch to bring us into like with Hobart . Even dinner has been cancelled !!!!

On the upside it’s 4 hours less to try to fill in .

At last and arrival timeSEC=UNCLASSIFIED

We we have slowed down a little butnot as much as I first feared . And we have an ETA into Hobart now which is 12 Noon Sunday 4th so the countdown can begin !

Things are afoot !SEC=UNCLASSIFIED

Well during my nap I heard them start the V12 engine . That could mean one of 2 things . Either they are going to run both engines which would give us a few more knots than our current 13 or they are going to shut the V16 down and slow down to around 8 .

Sadly it would appear it’s the latter so with 1800 nm to go it could be as late as mid next week before we arrive 😦