Well 2018 has arrived and we celebrated here in Hobart with beers and music on the boat as we watched the fireworks out in the harbour. It was a wonderful end for Andie and me to 2017 and a great start to 2018.

Well we are out of stealth mode and unfortunately we didn’t benefit from what we hoped would be kind winds to give us the wind angle we wanted to make a push for a podium position. As I said, sailing is a fickle friend.

So this morning when I came in watch at 4am, 7pm with you, I was greeted with the sight if the south Tasmanian coastline about 8 miles away. The cloud was clearing and blue sky is now on its way.

Today is our last full day in Fremantle before we depart on the next part of our journey to Sydney. We’re hoping to arrive between 16th and 18th December depending on the weather. Hopefully there will be no wind-holes this time!

So today I thought I’d try to give you an idea of what life on a racing yacht is really like. Now a racing yacht has absolutely nothing to do with cruising so life below is pretty basic and when the boast has its sails up and we’re heeled over to port or starboard side then living below really does become an Olympic sport.

Well I’m pleased to say that I’m back on dry land and it’s great to finally be able to have a shower after 23 days at sea! Trust me, it was needed!! And what a result. Following a great start we were 2nd out of Cape Town and as the race progressed we moved up the fleet and at one stage were even in 1st place.

We had a great send off when we left Cape Town and with a full sun the views of Table Mountain from the boat were wonderful. We had a really good start to the race and had excellent weather to start with too.

Everyone is safe and well. Whilst life on board has been brutal in parts, the sun has shone and life eventually settles down….but there is always another tough wind around the corner!

Well I’m pleased to say our boat has finally turned up and what a welcome for the crew: a South African group of singers provided live backing music with the sun out in its full glory and the dominating backdrop of Table Mountain overseeing the occasion.

So yesterday I started the first part of my journey down to Cape Town via Dubai with Emirates. I’m typing and updating this post at 36000ft. Technology is so amazing these days.

Back in 1971 my Dad took part in Operation Seafarer. The project was organised by the newly formed Seabird Group aboard the sailing yacht Aracan.

The day starts bright with some good wind and it’s cold as we’ve come a long way south on our chosen route to Fremantle. The boat is heeled over and we are making good headway, 12knots.