Campbell in the Sunshine in Oz 15 Jan 2014

We have been sailing in the Prince Philip Cup in Perth, Australia. It is the Australasian equivalent of the Edinburgh Cup. Clear blue water, very warm water, wind strength 3 to 5, no tide, wall to wall sunshine, temp mid 30s. Basically, everything that Burnham is not. I don’t want to come home!

Very tight racing and we were proud to achieve 2nd overall. My crew were all Aussies, we were four up, including a very keen young 14 year old, James Stout. The Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club has a large Dragon fleet and 26 boats came to the line, one German, us, two from Melbourne and five from Sydney.

It is hard to comprehend the logistical issues in Australia. Distances are staggering. I have agreed to tow a Dragon back to Sydney; it will take me five days almost non-stop driving, much across the desert.

They might thrash us at cricket, but we can still hold our own on the Dragon race course!