Brangdon, good point I hadn't realized that I had moved back into Australian mode so quickly. I've only been back here for one year and it's showing already. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

There is a good way to know how much to adjust your watch when converting solar time to your time zone. Just go outside and find the solar time with a watch and your compass. The difference between the two times (minus daylight saving if applicable) is exactly how much the local solar time is off from your time zone.

You could also make up a conversion table to keep in your kit with the watch, listing the conversion for select locations accross the country.

It is important to note that the differences between Local Solar Time and Local Clock Time in any location vary by up to 16 minutes over the course of a year. This is because few days are exactly 24 hours long.

This table gives a rough indication of what is called the "Equation of Time" these differences are in addition to those relating to the time zones. The table helps you find the Local Clock Time.

If you want to be exact, convert the Local Solar Time to Local Clock Time with the table, and then adjust for daylight saving time and your time zone.

As far as I'm concerned solar time is good enough for me, I try to ignore daylight saving time as much as possible! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />