These words were uttered by Swedish sailor Mikaela Ahlbäck when she was rescued yesterday along with the rest of the Scandinavian crew off the south east coast of Australia after their yacht capsized. And here I thought the Swedes were unafraid vikings. What is being circled by sharks in 6m seas and 80-knot winds between friends?

Of course, this story made the papers and early morning radio service over here. Anything to do with Swedes, crocodiles, sharks or bushfires in Australia ia guaranteed to be on the news. I sometimes wonder what twisted impression Swedes get of my homeland if that is all they read about it. I can say that it has even further dissuaded Lars-Göran from ever sailing in Australia. He used to be quite enthused by the idea, until we got an electronic chart of the coastline and he spotted names like Disaster Bay, Coffin Bay, Shark Bay, Cape Desolation, Cape Catastrophe, Dangerous Reef etc and he has become less and less enthralled. Add to that a steady diet of Discovery Channel shows about the world's most dangerous snakes, sea creatures, spiders, insects etc (always with a healthy Australian representation in the top 5) and he has turned from a Viking into the meek, mild, white-socks-with-slippers Swede that we know today.

I think he prefers the peace and tranquility of the Stockholm Archipelago, even if she is wearing her winter coat right now.