Tasmania is a lovely place in the summer. My friend who is going to make my sail has a loft there near Kettering, Russell Streckfuss of Storm Bay Sails. He has a cutter called Homer, a wife, Sue, and a young son, Riley. Russell is a good sailmaker and they are lovely people who've cruised the East coast of Australia as far north as Lizard Island. They enjoy the company of cruising folk and you should look them up. If you send me a private email at
yachtarion@hotmail.com I can give you their contact details. I'll tell Russel you are coming that way. I think Alan on Zebedee makes a big impression everywhere. He sailed into Cairns 14 days out of Sydney, tacking dozens of times up the inlet against the wind and tide. A week later he set off on a non-stop passage to Gove, going without sleep for 36 hours in the Torres Strait, followed by a 23 day passage to Borneo. Since then his sailing has been a little more relaxed!