Position: Moored Rushcutters Bay, Port Jackson
Wind: NE, F3
Sea: calm Swell: nil
Weather: mostly sunny, warm

This week has been relatively productive. Nearly all the equipment requirements of the safety audit have been met with the exception of the HF and VHF antennas. I overlooked the purchase of the VHF antenna when last at the chandlery, an oversight that I can easily rectify later this week. The HF antenna is a bit more of a problem as its delivery had been delayed by several weeks for reasons unknown. Fortunately my crew, Chris has come up with a solution, namely borrowing one from a sailing friend of his. I now have the borrowed antenna in hand which I will install tomorrow. I have also replaced the coax cable to the VHF masthead antenna and a test with a local volunteer marine rescue station gave much improved reception, so I believe that it was worth the effort.

This morning I went to a GP to obtain scripts for the necessary drugs to update the first aid kit and that is now complete bar a couple of minor items that are on order. Once I have these last few items and have installed the emergency HF antenna fitting then we will be ready to undergo the communications inspection and final safety audit.

Apart from the comms check and the safety audit (and we are still waiting on the stability certification), the only other major task outstanding is for Chris and I to complete a qualifying passage of 150 nautical miles over a 24 hour period which we have scheduled for the weekend of 6-8 October. So I think we are looking in very good shape to make it to the start line.

And I have at last shaken off the nasty cold I was suffering from and am now feeling pretty much back to normal. So, I am pleased to say that .

All is well.