To everyone, the very best wishes for 2013!

This New Year’s was a bit different from last year. I did spend it on a yacht again, but this time I was far from alone, surrounded by friends and other sailors. The last yachts of the Sydney to Hobart race came in yesterday afternoon while I was sitting on Akatea, moored in the Hobart marina. It was really great to ring in the new year with the crew from all the different boats. Hobart has been really nice. It’s a perfect change of pace from Sydney. Of course, it’s gotten busier with all the excitement of the race and the arrival of the yachts, but it’s still just a nice town surrounded by sea and mountains, much quieter than Sydney which I really enjoy. I didn’t get to see much of the city, as I could be found on or around Akatea most of the time. We were busy replacing the race sails and halyards, doing grocery shopping, and all the other normal preparations when you’re getting ready for a sailing trip again. So Akatea is in ship shape and all good to head back to New Zealand again. Today we will do the final preparations and hopefully tomorrow we will be on our way. I’m looking forward to being out to sea again. One month in big cities around the globe with no sailing is just way too long. It looks like the weather might get a bit rough out there, but that will only make the trip back to New Zealand more beautiful.

Laura