#89 NOW February 6, 2006 1430-UTC +11 hours (Tasmania, Australia) Anchored next to the town of Dover (S43'19.4 E14'00.5). 73 degrees Good Morning! I had to do it! I just had to do it! So, it was a bit silly of me, but that's my personality. I have this need to go a little further. What's around the next turn or where does the road end. How many steps are there to the top of the leaning tower of Pisa, or to the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral? Two days ago, I fulfilled another wish that I have been secretly cherishing since I started this cruise. I rounded the South Cape of Tasmania. Not exactly Cape Horn, but it will do for now. In addition, for an added bonus, I crossed from the Pacific Ocean into the Indian Ocean. "Ah yes me mates, I was sailing me ship around the Tasman Cape. Thar she was on my starboard side, big, bold, and grand. On me larboard side was nothin' but the Great Southern Ocean as far as ye eye could see. Thee wind was whislin' through thee riggin', makin' an awful racket. Thar were giant 15-foot swells a rollin in from the Antarctic and a sou'wester was whippin' ye tops into foam-graybeards risin' from the deep. Ah yes me mates, they don't call this thee roaring 40's for nutin'. Well, you get the idea. I had a wonderful time. To add to the celebration, just before reaching the Cape, dozens of porpoises came by to congratulate me. I am sure they were smiling at me as they leaped out of the water. I have pictures to prove it. >From Recherché Bay, it was only three hours one way to the Cape. I really wanted to continue on, but the weather forecast was for strong winds and 25-foot seas. So good judgment prevailed and I returned to the relative safety of the more protected east coast. If I had a couple of months, I would love to circumnavigate Tasmania. It is truly a fascinating cruising area. However, the weather can be a bit of a challenge and one must not mess with Mother Nature. I proceeded up the coast to the small town of Dover. It is Tasmania's most Southern town of any significance. They do have a post office and store. Fishing is the main industry in this area, and the harbour is filled with fishing boats. I found a nice place near a sandy beach to anchor. Tomorrow I will take the kayak ashore and explore this little settlement. Life is a Cruise, Larry Rick -- Larry Rick Done Dreamin' Nordhavn 40 #33 Site: http://gricknet.homedns.org/Dads%20Web/doneDreamnHome.htm