Bass Strait Crossing - Episode 124

Those thin lines run from the upper shrouds to the mast steps abouve the spreaders. They are to prevent the main halyard from whipping around and getting fouled on the front of the mast. If that happens above the spreaders, it can be difficult to impossible to clear the line without ascending. Likewise, a spinnaker under poor control could potentially foul up there so it is a very simple preventative measure.

Stay safe in your contact at the front of this thing. We are fortunate that we don't have any of our relatives or friends infected and are grateful that they are all very sensible and are working to support each other. My elder sister and her husband are doing their best to maintain financial support for the families that depend on their business and I think the challenge really is acting to bring out the best in some people- like you!

Thanks Miq. We are definitely in good health though looking forward to some time off the boat soon. Tasmania closed all national parks to entry and everything around us is national Park! We are going to sail back to areas where there are no parks but also few people so we can stretch our legs again. A most unexpected consequence!

Saying you are continuing to care for your co-workers is a lovely sentiment Tim and one that doesn't surprise us in the least coming from you. I don't think it's any surprise that rural areas and other places with lower population still have a better social fabric and have weathered the storm better than heavily urbanised areas. With luck, this bump in the road will focus people on how important the simple things and other people are to their lives rather than all the material things that can get in the way. Take care mate.

Things do indeed look like they're reaching a plateau David so we are hoping things stabilise before too many people are effected beyond their ability to recover. So far, our family is doing ok and managing to support other families who depend on them too, which is all we can ask for. We hope you can say the same and thank you for staying on touch.

Sailing to Tasmania has definitely been rough on a 'clothing optional' lifestyle! We haven't felt cold like this for a very long time...

The impetus for initially getting Mirrool and sailing remote was to see if was possible to function as well in the 'natural' economy as it was in the social one we are used to. That experiment was fairly successful and a side benefit has been that our way of life, while often very inconvenient, is quite robust and not prone to disruption. As you say, there very well may be more tunnels ahead and we are content with a simpler life it it means less anxiety and management to keep it functioning.

Yes, our best laid plans have been overturned a little too, but I guess it is good for character to have to adapt on the fly. We invested in a gimballed camera to convey the sea's motion better so thank you for noticing!

Thanks David and with regard the metho, we were commenting roughly the same thing. We further wondered if there wouldn't be a few serious cases of dermatitis on the way!

Thanks mate and glad you are able to find a silver lining to the clouds. We are wondering if we will be able to complete our planned refit with the supply chain issues and perhaps an extended public quarantine. We had looked to be off the water for the worst of winter but we are keeping flexible and always reminding ourselves how very minor those concerns are in the context of what everyone is dealing with. As always, thank you again and take care.

There have been closures to recreational fishing and boating but with provision to essential fishing to feed yourself. I think someone somewhere might be looking out for live-aboard cruisers with that addendum. Even without any closures, Tassie has no shortage of empty wild places so we hope to fill that order but we were hoping to interview the people behind the Franklin Wooden Boat School. That's not possible for the time being but our fingers remain crossed!

Our thoughts are with you and yours as well Charlie. Thanks for your encouraging words as always.

We did invest in some new Burke foul weather gear before leaving Sydney as we were both sharing my old set! It has been a very welcome addition to the ship's stores down here in the southern Pacific and Indian oceans.

We couldn't have done it without all of you here. We really mean it- thankyou.

Not being rained on was indeed a big plus. Four hours of hand-steering would not have been improved had I been soaked. We trailed the main halyard, the line that hauls the mainsail up, in the water so that it may have friction on it. When we release the clamp that holds the rope on deck, the sail doesn't fall all the way down with gravity as the resistance on the halyard prevents it, though we find it a force easy to overcome. I hope that clears it up a bit. The stopper does indeed plug a cockpit scupper but being rubber, doesn't go well on a hat.

Indeed some of it is. We just postponed todays outing because of hail! It was quite warm just 2 days ago but things change very quickly here and keep us hopping.