Pam rudely awoken by a fishing competition

I was sound asleep in my bunk when I suddenly woke to Little Dragon rocking violently and a roar of engines alarmingly close. It was 5 am and pitch dark. I got up to inspect what the hell was going on. A fishing boat with a 140 hp engine had pulled up alongside me. The rocking subsided and I was just going back to bed when another fishing boat roared in pulled up not far away. Little Dragon rocked even more violently and I feared that the anchor might not hold. I popped my head out again and this time asked what the hell was going on. "Fishing competition" I'm told, it seemed to be an all male affair. Not wanting to deal with my anchor in a nightdress I got dressed. More and more boats arrived, each at full throttle. They came from Yamba, Iluka, Grafton, Maclean - from up and down the Big River. I had the misfortune to be moored right on the starting line. Just before 6 am around 20 boats cast off and drifted silently backwards into the misty dawn. 6 am the hooter went. All 20 boats opened their throttles and charged off in search of their favourite fishing spots - 17 upriver and 3 downriver. Two minutes later they are gone. Calm returned and I made a cup of tea to settle my nerves and watch a glorious sunrise. My anchor held.

9 am and another new crew arrived, Noela Yates and Gertrude Kurtz. As on the day before it was a dead calm so we set up on the club's front deck to brew a cuppa. Quite suddenly, just as we were beginning to wonder if we were going to get any sailing, a breeze came up. In fact within half an hour or so there was quite a stiff breeze.

The first photo is of Noela taken just before we head off for our regular ocean swim at Byron Bay. The second photo is of Gertrude taken a couple of years ago of her rowing across a lake in Austria.

This was the first time that I had sailed Little Dragon in more that a gentle breeze and it started off as exhilarating. It turned out that Noela had sailed before and was a capable crew. Gertrude did not have much prior experience but was thoroughly enjoying herself. I cannot sail Little Dragon single handed so it is very much in my best interests to make sure that my crew enjoy themselves so that they want to come again. It seems to be working so far. One of my strategies is to make sure that we all take turns sailing the boat. We sailed most of the way to Iluka but the wind was getting stronger and stronger. I began to get anxious. So far we could handle Little Dragon but what if the wind continued to get up? I had never put a reef in - it was one of the things on my long "to do" list. I decided it was time to turn and head for home.

We put in for lunch at the sailing club and met up with two members both with Hartley 16s. They challenged us to an informal race to some green can on the way to Iluka (I figured that they would be ahead and they would show me the way). Noela and I had put in a reef over lunch but they said it was unnecessary and suggested we shake it out. I got the feeling that they felt that reefing was akin to "real men don't eat quiche". As a child I was taught that it showed good seamanship to reef early (I suppose I should find an alternative to "seamanship"). Rather reluctantly I shook out the reef and off we all headed towards Iluka. They took the lead immediately and for a while it was fun following but the wind blew up further and we had some minor equipment problems. We abandoned the informal race and returned to the more protected waters upriver from the sailing club.

It was time to winch Little Dragon out of the water onto her trailer, but before I could do that I had to get the trailer backed down the narrow ramp. I made a complete hash of it watched by a crowd of fishing enthusiasts. One of them, a truck driver, offered to do it for me but I was determined to do it myself. Finally with the help of a woman giving clear advice on "left hand down" etc I did it. We got her out of the water and packed up.

Then Noela noticed that the spring loaded arms that help guide Little Dragon onto the trailer were digging into the bottom of the boat. Time to consult the sailing club members' brains trust. They were having a post sail beer but readily agreed to head over to have a look. Next move is a whack from a hefty hammer but that doesn't work. Much discussion ensues and the consensus is "that you have got a problem!" I agree.

PS The trailer workshop in Billynudgel has shown done an excellent modification and the spring loaded arms are no longer denting Little Dragon's bottom.

Little Dragon pursued by a pirate boat

Saturday and a new crew - Theresa, Martin, Max and Lewis Bail. They reported for duty promptly at 9 am to a dead calm - not a ripple on the water. We made the best of it in our own ways, Lewis jumped into the kayak and the adults brewed a strong coffee.

As soon as a light breeze got up it was really simple to get underway as the boat was afloat and rigged. So Martin, Max, Lewis and I were off. Theresa opted to stay ashore and relax after several overnight shifts at work. However Theresa can't have relaxed completely as lunch was spread out when we returned to shore.

The light airs meant that my new crew were all able to take a turn at the helm and learn how to tack the boat as well as how to handle the jib. They caught on quickly - well done. I was surprised and impressed by Lewis demonstrating that he had read and remembered port and starboard from the book on sailing I had given them ages ago.

I took this photo of the Bails more than 2 years ago so please mentally add 2 year's growth to both Max and Lewis (I doubt Theresa and Martin want you to add any extra to them).

While we were having lunch John Woods showed up with his green Hartley 16. After lunch there was a fine sailing breeze. John Woods launched (wow I wish I could get organised that quickly) and we followed not long after, eager to hone our skills.

The green boat was tacking backwards and forwards in front of the clubhouse waiting for us - seeming to want a playmate and to check out our sail trim. As Little Dragon still didn't have a vang or downhall the mainsail wasn't setting all that well and John pointed out that our jib traveller was set too far forward for the conditions. I really welcomed this well intended and much needed advice.

I was soon having to give urgent training on "starboard tack has right of way" and "port tack gives way". Then asking the crew "which tack are we on?" It took a while before all the Bails were confident which was starboard tack and which port tack. In the meantime the green boat was zooming up to us and going about at the last minute or forcing me to do so when it was on starboard - quite alarming for crew who were out under sail for the first time ever.

Soon Martin and Max were egging me on to "Go Pam, race them!" Max wanted to make toilet paper bombs to throw at them (Pam was a spoilsport and said NO). Martin just doesn't know how to curb his competitive spirit. Lewis must have read too many books about pirates and he was convinced that the green boat was about to ram us and thought that our best tactic was to escape - as far and as fast as possible!

I decided to back Lewis and run for it - downriver - so that rather than Pam at the helm ducking and weaving with the "green pirate boat" we could get back to all taking turns at the helm. I think Max and Lewis were extremely chuffed that they did as well at the helm as their father.

After the rather miserable conditions the day before we had the good fortune to enjoy a warm sunny day and we were all sad when it was time to come ashore.

Sailing makes one hungry so we all went off for a fish dinner at a renowned fish and chip shop in Maclean before the Bails drove home and I returned to my bunk for a second night.



Theresa took this photo from the shore of Little Dragon and the "green pirate boat".

John, I am serious when I say that I have no plans to race next season and if I did I know that you can beat me. I have just read an article comparing Hartley 16s with Farr 5000s and the Hartley 16s are faster.

Nearly dismasted

25 April, Anzac Day, started fine with a forecast of a good sailing breeze so I set off on the 2 hour trek south to Harwood where I had arranged to rendevous with Nicky and Rob Greenlaw. I intended to stay 3 days camping in Little Dragon overnight right in front of the Big River Sailing Club.

Day 1 went pretty much as planned, Nicky, Rob and I launched without too much drama but still taking ages to get organised. When we finally got underway the weather was rather miserable, light winds and rain. Maybe Rob, who used to be a ghillie in Scotland, felt nostalgic (not that I saw any sign of that). Despite the weather we made the most of it and practiced sailing up and down the Clarence River not straying too far from the clubhouse.

However we did get as far as the Harwood Bridge and Nicky suggested that we sail under it (was she interested in the good pub just the other side?). I knew that there was meant to be 8.7 metres clearance under the bridge and I had measured my mast. I reckoned that we would only squeeze under by a whisker - not a sensible safety margin. However a couple of locals had assured us that we would get under easily "No worries!". So just for the hell of it we decided to give it a go. As we got to the point of no return I was sure that we were about to be dismasted and we all held our breath. We made it - just. Some fisherman were watching and indicated that we had only cleared by a handspan. The lesson I learned is not to believe everything the locals tell you.

That was enough adventure for me for the day, so we sailed back to the little sandy beach in front of the sailing club. My plan was to tie the stern to a convenient tree on shore and hold the bow out at right angles on the anchor. But how to get the anchor out to hold the bow? Suddenly it came to me, I remembered that I had my single kayak with me so I could paddle the anchor out. It worked just fine, although I later gathered that it is not the orthodox way to stern anchor. Apparently I should have neatly judged the moment to drop the anchor as I was sailing ashore - well next time ...

We had got pretty chilly so we all enjoyed a hot shower (thanks to the Big River Sailing Club for your terrific facilities), after that it was time for Nicky and Rob to wave me goodbye. They were going home and I planned to spend the night aboard and wait for a new crew in the morning. They were a bit worried about leaving me but I was looking forward to my first night aboard. Realistically thtere is only room for two.

After an unexpectedly good fish dinner at the Harwood petrol station and a glass of wine at the Harwood pub I was in bed by 8 pm and slept soundly for 10 hours. I awoke to the sun rising over a completely calm and misty river. Magnificent. So I celebrated my good fortune by making my first ever cuppa in Little Dragon's cockpit.

Four shielas launching

12 April 2008 - Cathie Jones, Nicky Greenlaw, Lee Fenton and I gather for the launch - stopping at Little Italy en route to The Big River Sailing Club for a hit of Italian coffee.

This (b)log will double as my log so here goes:

Tide 0537 low 0.32 m Yamba (correction for Harwood variously suggested to be 1.5 hrs - 2.5 hrs later!)
11.39 high 1.33 m
1713 low 0.55 m
Wind forecast SE to SW 11 to 16 kn
Although we arrived at the Big River Sailing Club at 9.30 am it took us 3 hours to get afloat. There was a relaxed atmosphere when we rocked up, it was the end of season BBQ. A buzz went round "4 shielas!!" Despite this reaction John Woods and Reg tried to determine the tactful level of assistance. Whilst we planned to do it outselves I certainly welcomed some help.

It was the first time we had come together to rig the boat and deal with all the other preliminaries such as removing the trailer lights (something I might have overlooked if I had not been reminded). It took ages to get the mast up but we managed it unaided.

As skipper I decided that I should do a safety briefing before we headed off (I really wanted to boast about my radio and new safety equipment such as flares). Nicky and Lee listened politely but Cathie indicated that enough was enough and it was time to get going.

Then I had to get the trailer backed down the rather narrow single lane ramp and off into the water. Despite my reversing practice in the Byron Bay High School's car park I was still pretty hopeless. John and Reg offered to do it for me but I said "no - but please help". So with much backing and forwarding and them saying "left hand down" then "right hand down" I finally got it down the ramp although very much on the edge.

Once in the water John advised us to set off under power in reverse gear (I would have prefered to sail off as I had never used the outboard). So I tried to reverse out, well the motor started first go which I felt was a good omen but then I just couldn't get it to lock into reverse gear. John called out instructions from the shore but I still couldn't get it into reverse. He almost lost his cool when he asked "have you got a manual and HAVE YOU READ IT?". I said I had but it still wouldn't go into reverse. John, as you will see from the photos was neatly dressed and planning to go out for lunch and not go sailing. However he decided that he had better help out "the sheilas" and he gallantly jumped aboard. I was more than a little chuffed when he also found it impossible to get into reverse so we set off forwards. Then all 5 of us were out in the river with John getting late for his lunch date. Help was at hand. Another trailer sailer came up alongside and John, showing great agility, jumped aboard leaving us to experience our FIRST SAIL.

The conditions were near perfect - a light sailing breeze and bright sunshine. At last it all seemed worthwhile. Although there was no proper vang or downhall and the luff of the jib was a bit slack she sailed well. She sailed magnificently. No weather helm. We tacked and gybed and she responded just how she should. It was exhilarating. We all took turns at the helm for three glorious hours (missing out on the BBQ). Then it was back to the ramp.

Cathie, Lee and Nicky held Little Dragon while I reversed the trailer down the ramp. I made hash of it but I did it eventually. Then I had to winch her onto the trailer while the others held her straight. This was the first time I had used the brand new winch with 3 gears. I had been assured that with 3 gears it would be a piece of cake - well it wasn't. Later I was told that it was probably because I hadn't reversed the trailer quite far enough into the water. What a lot to learn....

Back on land it was the pack up - quite a complicated and lengthy process. John assures us that we will get it more streamlined. I hope so.

Finally weary but happy we joined the members of the Big River Sailing Club for tea and cakes before we headed home. Yet again we were all made to feel welcome and encouraged to return. Next day we met in Byron Bay for our usual morning swim and all confessed that we had been exhausted when we got home and found muscles that we hadn't used for some time.

Big River Sailing Club, Harwood

Once the fitting out was underway I turned my attention to where to sail - a pretty vital matter.

Non-sailing friends asked if I planned to launch at Byron Bay. My sailing friends realised that launching off the beach into the surf and then out into a Pacific swell was a total non-starter.

The Richmond River at Ballina was a possibility but its estuary is very tidal and launching at the sailing club problematic.

I looked at Manly on the Gold Coast and it wasn't my scene at all.

Then I found the Big River Sailing Club at Harwood on the Clarence River and it felt just right - the only downside being the 2 hour drive to get there.

It's a low key place nestled behind the cane fields and near the sugar refinery but it comes alive every Saturday in season. It runs a sailability program, teaches sailing as well as racing from juniors in sabots up to seniors in trailer sailers. The river is wide and looks pretty safe - good for novices.

I checked it out during the annual regatta on the 15/16 March and watched all the trailer sailers getting winched out of the water at the end of the day. Part of my huge learning curve was to find out how it was done. One experienced owner (who had better remain anonymous) caught his mast on a branch of the tree (the tree in photo 1) and that was the end of his racing for the weekend. Whilst sorry for him in a strange way it gave me confidence - if I come to grief I won't be alone! I spoke to several owners and they were all happy to hear that I planned to join their trailer sailer fleet - although I don't think they believed me when I said I did not intend to race.

The photos were taken a few weeks later when we launched (post on 4 shielas launching coming soon). Photo one shows the area open grassed park-like area where one can camp and prk trailers. Reg was guiding me (very patiently) while I reversed down to the ramp to winch Little Dragon out.

Photo 2 shown both John Woods and Reg advising me on how to tilt the trailer so I can winch Little Dragon onto the trailer.

Photo 3 shows the broad Clarence River at Harwood and John still giving a hand.

The trailer sailors of Big River Sailing Club have been great - thanks to all of you for your help and encouragment.

Fitting out

Some of you may want to skip this as "boring" but I have happy childhood memories of "helping" Dad fit out Chanty, our clinker built 18 ft Essex One Design, in Johnson and Jago boat yard at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.

I reckon Little Dragon was an excellent purchase, although 22 years old she had been freshly painted, her hull, spars, sails, outboard and marine battery were all in good order. However she hadn't been sailed much for many years and some work was in order.

First I had to locate boatyards, chandlers, shipwrights, riggers, canvas bimini repairers, marine auto electricians, trailer repair yard and outboard motor workshop - I think that's all. Byron Bay is a surfing centre not a sailing centre so none of these exist locally. However networking with local trailer sailor owners paid off and I have found them all.

The trailer has now got a new winch and jockey legs, the outboard has been serviced, the auto electrician has rewired the radio and navigation lights, a rigger has swaged new shrouds and given some very helpful advice on how to get the mast up.


Then it was time to visit Whitworths the chandlers in Southport. They have provided me with 5 star service. Nothing has been too much trouble for them (of course nothing is cheap!). I needed various new fittings to attach to the mast and boom to get the vang, outhall, downhall and reefing all shipshape as well as shackles, mooring lines, flares, V sheet, winch so it goes on.


Another great find has been Michael Cocks the shipwright at Boatworz in Ballina, he sails an 18 ft trailer sailer himself and is enthusiastic to get Little Dragon properly rigged and trimmed.


I don't want to give the impression that all I have done is trail Little Dragon from one workshop to another (although there has been a bit of that). I have done as much as I can myself. Sanding and repainting the cabin doors, siliconing minor leaks, fitting reefing lines to the mainsail for starters.


Finally I must thank all my supporters, mainly swimmers, who have popped round after our post swim coffee and helped me get Little Dragon in and out of the garage and the mast on and off, advised on how to flush out the outboard, undone recaltricant screws etc etc. I have been on a huge learning curve and welcomed advice about many technical issues such as the best battery charger for my purposes etc etc.

Brunch to celebrate the arrival of Little Dragon

I was so excited when I finally "moored" Little Dragon on the street outside my house that I wanted to show her off to all my friends immediately. So I invited all those who had expressed interest to an impromptu brunch on Saturday 1 March. I should be honest and admit that I had an ulterior motive - the reason that Little Dragon was in the road not my back yard was that I didn't feel competent to drive her in!

Thank you so much Terry Crowe for demonstrating such phenomenal backing skills. I'll never get that good. The first photo shows us all watching her arrival at her "mooring" in my back yard.



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Here Terry is showing me how the jib furler works - I had never used one before.
Terry and Cheryl own a trailer sailer and Richard Flavell is a professional boat builder - so their advice was (and I hope will continue to be)invaluable.

Finally thank you to all my friends, especially those of you who volunteered to crew. I can't launch and sail her on my own.


I started to feel like I was captain of my ship - even if I was only surveying my back garden not yet the ocean.

Sailing up the Pacific Highway

On 25th February 2008 I became the proud owner of Little Dragon.



Full of nervous anticipation I tried to help Brian Stringer, the vendor, hook Little Dragon up to my Subaru Forrester. The last photo was shows me on my way.



Brian had cared for her well and made sure that she was securely attached before I left for the long drive home. Whilst it was obvious to me that he was a novice sailor I didn't pretend that I was anything other than a novice at trailing a boat.



So thank you Brian and I wish you and your wife well with your new motor boat.



I had around 800 km to drive up the most dangerous highway in Australia - and I hadn't a clue how to reverse. Well, I knew the theory but had never tried to put it into practice. Why is it that almost all Australian men just seem to be able to noncholantly and effortlessly back trailers down absurdly narrow ramps?



First stop was at a garage where I found I needed one new wheel bearing and second stop was at a tyre shop to replace both the trailer tyres. I wasn't taking any chances on the highway with dodgy tyres.



Then, very gingerly, I pulled out onto the highway for the long drive. To my amazement all went well, she followed me without a single wobble. So I just set cruise control on 80 km and headed north. I managed to make it as far as my old friend Helen Mower and Phil's place at Nambuca Heads for the night. Thanks to both of you. I really needed that glass of wine on arrival. It had been a long day.


The next day was easier as I had more confidence in trailing (at least while going forward). I reached Ballina by early afternoon and decided that to stop at the tip. No, I did not want to get rid of Little Dragon, but to weigh her.



She weighed in at 920 kg which was a great relief as it was easily within the official towing capacity of my Subaru Forrester.

Helpful hints from Nahani

I have admired Peter Thorne and Helen Vorrath's yacht Nahani for several years and always hoped that I would get a chance to come aboard for a sail.

My opportunity arose during the first week in February, Peter and Helen invited me to join them on a cruise from Hobart down the D'Entrecasteau Channel to Recherche Bay and back. We had a great time and I was really spoilt - I am not used to being treated more as guest than galley slave. Take care, I could get hooked on the easy life. Nahani is the most comfortable and well equipped yacht I have ever been aboard. The whole week was a joy. Thanks.

Of course when I arrived I was bursting to tell Peter and Helen about Little Dragon, I had agreed to buy her a few days earlier. I didn't know (or had forgotten) that they had owned a trailer sailer before buying Nahani.

Peter had a copy of Whitworth's catalogue and he spent many hours advising me on what I needed to purchase. It was a great help as everything has changed since I owned a catamaran in the 1950s! Luckily for me perusing chandler's catalogues seems to be one of Peter's hobbies. I was like blotting paper soaking it all up! Thanks again.

It all began in Buff Point Central Coast NSW

Last Christmas I took the plunge - I decided to buy a trailer-sailer. During January I spent many hours on the net researching my options. I wanted a boat that would sail well, be manageable by a senior citizen with one crew and, vitally, be light enough to trail behind my 2 litre Subaru Forrester. I settled on a Farr 5000 as first choice but I was willing to look at other options such as a Careel 18. Most of the boats I fancied were built in the 1980s but I reckoned great - more affordable.

Next came the buying phase and I found 3 for sale on the net - all in Central Coast NSW. The Australia Day weekend found me hurtling round the Central Coast in a little hire car checking them out. The first two looked more than a little tired then, just before dusk, I saw Little Dragon. It was love at first sight. She is gorgeous. Of course I tried to remain level headed and take a responsible approach to the outboard motor and trailer (I knew very little about either) but I was hooked and asked for a test sail the next day. Jan Davis (a friend from Greens NSW) came out with me on a rather hilarious test sail. Neither the mainsail or the jib were set and the rudder jammed down. The previous owner was more of a fisherman than a sailor. However she did not sink and I decided that the problems were easily fixed. So I clinched the deal and arranged to return a month later to trail her back to the Northern Rivers.

Confidence building in 2007

Three years ago my ankle was so painful that I started to think that my sailing days were over. However a skilled surgeon fixed it and by 2007 I was ready to get afloat again.

I responded to Jim Marco's advert on "Find a Crew" website and to my amazement he took me on. I spent the best part of 3 months crewing on his 37 ft yacht Intention in Vanuatu. Thanks so much Jim for giving me this opportunity - it was great. I learnt so much and it helped me start to regain confidence.

The first photo shows me at the wheel of Intention with Cathie Jones, a swimming friend from Byron Bay who came also came along as crew. Cathie left after 3 weeks as her leave ran out and she was replaced by 2 more swimming mates - Nicky Greenlaw and Lee Fenton. All 3 have been rash enough to volunteer to crew on Little Dragon - see the post about the "4 shielas launching" coming up soon.

My sister Pat visited from September to December last year and as I mentioned in the blog "It's in our blood" we have both followed the family sailing tradition. In fact she has owned and raced her own dinghy single handed until she decided a couple of years ago that pulling the dinghy up and down pebble beaches in England was getting too hard and she moved over to crewing in keel boats.

We decided to try our hand at chartering a bareboat in the Whitsundays, a Catalina 28 for 7 days. It was the first time we had sailed together since we were kids and I think we were both a bit nervous of the sisterly dynamics. I reckon it worked well and I was very willing to defer to her as skipper (Pat I challenge you to add a comment with your perspective). Photo 2 shows us about to set off on Ripple.

We had a ball, the Whitsundays are stunningly beautiful, the weather good, the snorkelling superb and the sailing an enjoyable challenge. I don't think I need to go into the details of the failure of the macerator and how we ended up using a bucket rather than the head for most of the week.

I have sailed on the tall ship Soren Larsen several times over the last decade as "voyage crew" and really wanted Pat to have a similar experience. It is very different to crewing on a keel boat in chilly England, so we decided to do one sector together. In October we sailed out of Santo in Vanuatu and round the Banks Islands for 10 days. I recommend sailing on Soren Larsen to anyone who dreams about the romance of sailing on a tall ship in the South Pacific (although on bow watch at 2 am in gale force wind and heavy rain the romance wears off quickly for many voyage crew).

This photo shows the two of us showing off on Soren Larsen's bowsprit.
The final photo is of the 4 - 8 watch on Soren Larsen (Pam 4 from left and Pat 2 from right). On arrival all the voyage crew are put in a watch and expected to stand watches whenever we are underway. The officer of our watch was George, First Mate. The two permanent crew had a tough job teaching the six voyage crew their bunts and clews.





So to sum it up - by the end of 2007 I felt I had the confidence and certainly the enthusiasm to sail into 2008 - it was just a question of how.

It's in my blood

My sister and I were both taken sailing when we were still in carrycots so it's not surprising that sailing is in our blood and we are following the family tradition.

The first photo is of our grandfather racing at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex in 1909.

The next shows our mother age around 10 at the helm with her brother, sister and cousin.

Next my mother is still at the helm, this time a young woman.

Finally my mother, again at the helm, this time cruising with her husband just before WW2.

My early memories are of mucking around in boatyards while my father was fitting out our 18 foot Essex One Design.

When my father wanted to show off his daughters to family friends and relations instead of getting us to recite poetry or play a piece on the piano he taught us to demonstrate tying bowlines behind our backs!



My first (and until now only) venture into boat ownership involved a very dilapidated 14 foot Cheetah catamaran (rather like a modern Hobie Cat) which my cousin Jill and I co-owned. We got her seaworthy and sailed her for a couple of seasons until we both left school and moved away from the Thames Estuary for work and studies.

Now fast forward almost 50 years. I have retired and for the first time for many years got the time to spend more time afloat. Sure, in the interim I have sailed whenever the opportunity arose; for example teaching sailing in the south of France, a decky on the Darwin to Ambon race, voyage crew on the tall ship Soren Larsen in the Pacific, crewing on the 37 ft yacht Intention in Vanuatu and only last year bareboating with my sister Pat in the Whitsundays. That last experience was so enjoyable that I started to dream "what is to stop me buying my own little boat?" Answer "nothing" so that, in summary, is what led to my love affair with Little Dragon.