On Boxing Day morning we went with Wendy (our house swapper’s friend) to  the Woolwich Dock to see some of the yachts and crew taking part in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The captain and crew of ‘Wild Oats’ – the popular favourite of the ‘Supermaxis’ (ie super size yachts) to win the race – were doing last minute preparations before setting off for the start in Sydney Harbour.

We waved them off to join over a hundred  other hopefuls and then the keen supporters headed home to watch the start of the race on television. It wasn’t without drama! Wild Oats came close to collision with their rivals ‘LDV Comanche’ who immediately launched a formal protest. As the drama further unfolded, LDV Comanche took the lead with Wild Oats trailing… Overnight, however, Wild Oats made up ground and were neck-and-neck going down Tasmania’s east coast, overtaking their rivals as they reached the River Derwent: going on to win the race, slashing almost 5 hours off the previous record!

As I write, the result of the protest is still awaited….