Birchmont, WA, AU. Wasn't planing on sailing as no wind forecast but doing a recon for tomorrows NW'er to get alternate access to the smooth to save a very long upwind slog.  However there was a good breeze for the whole drive down, way above the forecast 8kts.  Did the recon and the breeze was a nice 15kts so decided to rig.  The sky was looking extremely dark and the tide was quite high but sun where I was.   Headed upwind in the good breeze to the smooth stuff, got there and things turned to shit.  Wind dropped off, piles of thunder and started dumping it down.  Knowing that the wind usually dies suddenly after a squall decided to high tail it and get back.  The squall was getting stronger but resisted the urge to do a bear away as the wind was shifting west so it was a struggle keeping upwind enough to get back to the launch spot.  Almost made it.  Got within 100m and wind dropped dead, sun came out and that was that.  Would have been a very long day getting back had I not turned around (but backup plan was to ditch to recon spots and walk out).   Shoulda sailed first then done the recon as would have got 2hrs sailing in.  iSonic117, SvT8.6, FF28