I've been working on something for months now and it has finally paid off. The Examiner newspaper published a list of Tasmanian Olympians a while ago that left out my Grandfather. Thomas Darcey represented Australia in rowing at the London Olympics in 1948. He was my mum's father and we were all a bit miffed that he wasn't on the list. I did a bunch of research and found a number of issues that could have led to him being omitted. Whilst he was born and died in Tasmania, he was serving in Melbourne with the Australian Air Force after returning from PNG during World War Two when a local rowing club at the time decided to enter their coxed eight in the Olympic trials. As Tom had been rowing with that club whilst he was in Melbourne he competed with them. Tom's team won the trial event and went on to represent Australia in London, however since it was a Melbourne club that entered the selection trials there could have been some confusion over Tom's allegiance. Another issue is that there are three separate "official" lists of Tasmanian Olympians kept. The Tasmanian Olympic Commission have the Role of Honour and the Olympians Club. One is a list of all Tasmanian Olympians and the other is a list of living Tasmanian Olympians. The Tasmanian Institute of Sport also maintain a list, but from what I've heard, that one contains mainlanders who moved to Tasmania after the Olympics. Tom Darcey was only listed on one of the TOC's lists and not on the others. Once I got all that sorted out I asked the Examiner to correct their omission on the public record. That resulted in the following story. Many thanks to Rob Shaw the sports editor at the Examiner for taking this seriously and writing the correction.

I think this is funny. I'm not trying to make a political statement here ( I used to hold Gunn's shares and I was at  the anti pulp mill protest last weekend so I've had a foot in both camps so to speak) I just find this amusing. There must be more to this guy than meets the eye.

I have to share this photo. I feel a bit like that lady some times!

I got to spend some time with my brother Stuart and his wife Sharon on Saturday. It was great to catch up and very civilised as well since we met at Sal's in Salamanca and had a very nice lunch and a few beers whilst our children did their thing at the market. Aren't mobile phones a wonderful thing! Mel came around for tea that night and we tried to cook spinach and ricotta ravioli from scratch (as in we made the pasta as well) but it was a bloody disaster!  I just couldn't get the pasta right and I didn't have some stuff so we ended up eating sometime after 9pm. At least the wine that Mel bought was good. It was a Spring Vale Pinot Gris from the Freycinet area on Tasmania's East Coast and it was most yummy. Are you wondering who Janice is? My desk at work is on the 7th floor over looking the Derwent River. The view is awesome and this morning the most amazing yacht I have ever seen in Hobart came up the river. It's called Janice of Wyoming and was made in New Zealand in 2005. I was working in Auckland during one of their America's Cup's so I've seen my fair share of super yachts,  but this thing is just beautiful. I went down to the wharf and took a photo with my phone, but it doesn't do it justice. The size is mind blowing. It's 130 feet long. The boom is about as thick as I am high. The furling gear on the fore stay was about as thick as me. The photo I took is below. As I was watching a very pretty girl came onto the enclosed cockpit area with her tea and a glass of wine. I gave her a big smile which she returned, but unfortunately that was all I got. I'd give anything to have a look on board. I did a bit of digging and it looks as if it is owned by a very rich, but very private American. I think his name is Larry Finch, but I'm not too sure how he makes/made his money. I did a bit more digging, and I think this may be the guy here (I've looked a bit further and I'm now pretty sure this is the guy). If anyone on board reads this whilst you are still in Hobart, then please, please, please leave me a message so that I can get in touch and have a quick look on board. I'm not interested in the owners private areas, I just want to talk to the crew that sail it! There is a good story about this beautiful piece of work here and a second page here. One day I will be able to afford a yacht like yours Larry, and you will be welcome on board anytime!