42o47S 148o47E

Over the past 24 hours the weather has made a mockery of us and had us scooting around the foredeck trying to second guess the next dramatic change - to no avail. Following a very civilised start and fast sailing in this, the scariest leg of all, we found ourselves last night clawing down the Yankee 1 (our largest headsail) in 37 knots of wind. Minutes earlier we had been enjoying a moderate 15 knots and the prospect of a quietish night before a gradually-filling breeze.

Instead we were rudely reminded of how tiring repeated sail changes in choppy seas can be; the swell built quickly and the following 12 hours were spent in high winds with headsails being changed in quick succession and the reefs going in and out, out and in - all with a large amount of incredibly salty water being thrown over us to boot (the salinity of the Tasman Sea is striking and burns face and hands unless religiously washed off). The water is at least still warm. Once we turn right, this will of course be icy cold.

For now, however, we are struggling to set ourselves up for that infamous right-hander at the bottom of Tasmania, which will launch us out into the great grey wilderness once again. Although some 32 miles offshore (roughly in line with Maria Island), we suspect that the strange and unpredicted weather last night and today might be due to a huge wind shadow off Tasmania which now, in a sparkling evening, brings no wind and a boat speed of under 2 knots! We cannot get east as this would bring the wind right behind us and we would grind to a halt, so we are simply trying to make the best of our current course.

The big question is whether the more easterly yachts, VAIO and Me To You, will escape these unpredictable airs, enjoy a more constant breeze and be scooped down to the corner of Australia before whizzing off into the Southern Ocean ahead of the rest of us. The good news is that we lie in third with barely a hair between ourselves and Imagine It. Done., and less than two miles separating us from Barclays Adventurer. It is a waiting game and a brief respite tonight from high winds.

On a pink note, thank you to the crew for giving me one of the best birthdays ever! I have been thoroughly spoilt with cake, champagne, singing and pressies and thank you to J&L for the packages, Jane for the pick-me-up, everyone at home for the birthday messages, Trucker Jolene and HMTI on Barclays Adventurer for the decorations and reading matter (xxx), Phil on Samsung for the book and M&N for the most amazing package! Wow. I will try my best to call later. With so many new face packs I will surely look 21 instead of 30 (here's hoping!)

Naomi Cudmore