in Apia with a very light radio signal!

really hard to hear them . They are about 100 mile south of Samoa

We are safely home! Boat back on it's Westhaven marina and we are back in our home. Long hot showers and a big bed that doesn't roll around. Great 5 months away, but also very nice to be home again.

Regards, John and Frances

at Q dock in Auckland. Welcome home

Time: noon Tuesday 13 Oct. Very happy on board Quintessence. We are sailing down the Northland coast, approaching Bay of Islands area, but out to sea, on our way home to Auckland. Still a long way to go, including over night tonight, but now in familiar territory.

Expect to be in Auckland Wednesday morning, time unknown at this stage. It has been a slow, and frustrating at times, trip home, but all is forgotten now that and end is in sight. We love the trips away in the tropics, but always anxious about the ocean passages between NZ /Pacific / NZ.

Kind regard, John, Frances and Robert

Time: noon Tuesday 13 Oct. Very happy on board Quintessence. We are sailing down the Northland coast, approaching Bay of Islands area, but out to sea, on our way home to Auckland. Still a long way to go, including over night tonight, but now in familiar territory.

Expect to be in Auckland Wednesday morning, time unknown at this stage. It has been a slow, and frustrating at times, trip home, but all is forgotten now that and end is in sight. We love the trips away in the tropics, but always anxious about the ocean passages between NZ /Pacific / NZ.

Kind regard, John, Frances and Robert

Thanks Lisa for relay

Time: Noon Monday Had good sailing conditions and wind direction a few hours ago, but the wind has now gone lighter and swinging. We are not sure when we will be home. Depends on the weather. However, we are getting closer, 80 miles to go to North Cape.

Otherwise, all OK on board Quintessence on this very slow voyage home.

Regards, John, Frances and Robert

smelling the barn. Thks Donella for relay

Time, midday Sunday. I spoke too soon yesterday about the wind from a favorable direction. It did not last! Of course the wind swang back to the SE, so we continue to tack towards home. Very slow progress and frustrating for us. Wondering when we will ever get home. However, we must be getting closer to NZ, we have rain. A wind change tonight or tomorrow? We will keep you posted.

Regards, John, Frances and Robert

Finally, the wind has swung, just enough, for us to actually be steering directly towards our destination. Please may it last, or dare I say it, even improve. First time in this passage, we are actually pointing where we want to go. NZ. A beautiful day out here, ( if one has to be out here) although it is getting cooler as we get South. All in good spirits.

Regards, John, Frances and Robert

Thanks Colin/Ithaca for relay

Time 9:45 am Friday. We are very uncomfortable in very strong head winds. So wet and uncomfortable here. Also making very slow progress. Passed really close to Norfolk Island late yesterday, before the weather turned to custard. Now we just keep going and get home when we get there. Also having poor radio / sailmail reception. I assume it is because of the poor weather.

Regards, John, Frances and Robert

not happy with the wind direction!

We went about, hoping to South of Norfolk Island. At the moment we are heading straight for it, 25 miles away. Can't see Norfolk yet. Just frustrating getting head winds and not being able to head straight for home. Otherwise, all OK.

Regards, John, France and Robert

Nw of Norfolk. Hoping for AKL on Tuesday

Time. Noon NZ time Tuesday 6 Oct. A more pleasant day for sailing than yesterday. Or maybe we are getting our sea legs. Good to be heading home, but we all know, still a long way to go. All OK on board.

Regards, John, Frances and Robert.

on passage Noumea to Auckland with eta with the front on Tuesday!

On the marina at Port Moselle, Noumea. Very comfortable right in the heart of town and handy to the market.

Hopefully departing here in about 10 days for the voyage back to Auckland. (Hope the weather has improved in NZ.) Regards, John and Frances

At anchor / on a mooring bouy, in Baie Du Prony and very comfortable. Heading into Noumea tomorrow, Wednesday.

All well on board.

Regards, John and Frances

At anchor on the west side of Lifou Island along with 28 other yachts from NZ, Australia, America, and Germany. We are included in the Island Cruising Assoc that arranged special custom's clearances into Northern New Caledonia. Heading to Noumea in a week or two. All OK on board.

Regards, John and Frances

Sailing from Vila to Lifou, New Caledonia. Frustrating now as the wind has gone very light again and we are sailing at 90 deg to our required course. Might be motoring again soon. Should be there Sunday Regards, John and Frances

At Port Resolution, Tanna Island. Departing this morning from here for Vila. Should be there Tuesday morning.

About 25 miles to go to anchorage. So will be there before night fall. Although it is pleasant sailing out here, we will all be very happy to drop anchor and have a calm and full night's sleep.

Regards, John, Frances and Elizabeth. PS Having trouble sending this out on sailmail. Will try again later.

sailing fast(at last)A bit lively out here but at this rate we should make landfall at Anatom, Vanuatu, during Sunday and before dark. We got the toilet unblocked this morning and what a releave that was to all on board.

Regards, John, Frances and Elizabeth

Finally got some steady breeze so we are now sailing stopped rolling about. None of us are feeling good but all ok

Still enjoying life at Musket Cove Marina. Ideal for the young grandchildren staying on board with us. Moving soon to Vuda Marina to prepare for our trip to Vanuatu.

Regards, John and Frances

We are in the Musket Cove Marina, tied up stern to the dock, where we can just walk on and off the yacht. All secure and comfortable on board. We have daughters and grandchildren visiting us over the next couple of weeks so that will keep us busy with lots of action on the boat and the 'Island Bar' Regards, John and Frances 8:30 am Saturday 19 July (Carol's Birthday)

At anchor at the Southern in of Waya Island. Adjusent to the village and school. Only yacht here.

Intend moving South towards Musket cove in a day or two.

All OK on board. Wednesday 15 July.

Regards, John and Frances

At anchor at Blue Lagoon / Nanuya Resort. All good on board but can't stay here long as we need to start heading South early next week to be at Musket Cove soon.

Regards, John and Frances

In the marina so we can do some re provissioning and getting orgainised to go to the lower Yasawa Islands.

Subject to no Cyclone Rachele heading this way. All OK on board.

Regards, John and Frances

Now at Nananu-i-ra on Viti Levu. Had a blustery sail from Coconut Point, across Bligh Water yesterday. The wind was forecast 20 to 25 kts. We had 25 to 35 gusting up to 40 kt. Scary for us but the wind was aft of the beam so it made for a quick trip. No other yachts here.

Regards, John and Frances

We intend sailing across Bligh Water to Nanua-i-ra Viti Levu today. We would appreciate David mentioning what conditions we might get today. Thanks. John and Frances

We departed Savusavu Thursday morning (finally)and have done the 25 miles and through Nasonisoni Passage to a anchorage about 3 mile past. Surrounded by mangroves and some coral. No other boats here. Windy during night but but no problems. Today we move on to Coconut Point (25 miles) and overnight there. Then Saturday we do the 30 mile leg from Southern Vanua Levu to Northern Viti Levu. A bit concerned about that passage as it is always windy between to two main islands. Once we get to Nanauni-i-ra we are is sheltered waters so should be no problems.

Regards, John and Frances

Secure and comfortable on a mooring in Savusavu Creek. It still rains a lot here but it is compensated by easy living here, right in the town, with good economic dinning out every night. Life isn't too bad.

Regards, John and Frances

On a mooring at Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji. Arrived before dawn this morning. This wasn't our intended destination. It was meant to be Vanua Balavu. We departed Ngau mid afternoon yesterday intending to sail the 120 miles to Vanua Balavu last night arriving this morning. (Too far for a day trip) However, we didn't get the 15 to 20 knt SE wind forecast. Instead we got 30 + ktn E, almost right on the nose. It was very uncomfortable and pitch black out there last night. After discussions between Frances and I, we reduced sail and run down wind the lesser distance (80 miles) to Savusavu, arriving safely early this morning. Very pleased to get into sheltered waters.

Regards, John and Frances

We have moved on from Suva to the island Ngau. About 50 miles east of Suva. Blustery quick sail yesterday but we arrived by 3 pm so could visual the reef. But no sun so very hairy coming in through the coral passage. We'll sevusevu at the local village this morning before we make plans for our next leg. Regards, John and Frances

Safely in Harbour at anchor. Very pleased to get into calm water where we can put things on the table and they don't slid or get thrown off. We all had hot showers late night (separately) and it is bliss to have clean and non smelly body.

Garth Fly's back to NZ today. He will be missed. There will be a few days now, before we update our YIT report. Largely because there will be nothing to report, Frances and I will just be checking out Suva and doing some boat jobs.

Cheers, John and Frances

could barely hear them which is normal for Sva Hbr. No doubt enjoying lots of sleep

At dawn this morning we could see Kandavu Islands where there are meant to be, just south of Suva. So we are nearly there. Suva is 20 miles away, about 3 hours sailing. I assure you we all want to be there and to stop rocking about. Also good that we will enter harbour in daylight. should be there between 3 and 4 pm. It would be neat if we can get 'Custom's Clearance' today.

This will be our last YIT report for a few days because we will be at anchor in Suva Harbour. Tonight we will celebrate our arrival with a bottle of bubbly and to say thanks to Garth for this trip as he flies home to NZ on Friday. (He is not even seeing much of Fiji) Thanks for the support every one.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

great radio

Moral is good, we are sailing properly with out the motor going. Nice breeze from the right angle and we are making up some of our lost time. It's getting hot up here, even at sea. Cheers to the people feeling the cold and rubbish winter weather in Auckland.

Kind regards, John, Frances and Garth

wow, smoking along to Suva

Have gybed over hoping to sail straight to Suva, but back motor sailing. Hoping a good sailing breeze will set in soon. Don't expect to be to Suva before Thursday night. Depends what the weather gives us. All well on board.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

all well

A nice day out here. If one must be out here? Good sailing today with the sun shining. Pretending we are having a good time. All OK on board.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

got wet in the front but all OK

Horrible night last night when a front went through. 55 knts was our max wind speed. We ran before it for comfort but went a lot further East than would have liked. Now close to required course and sailing good. Just have to make up the lost ground.

Thinking of you all.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

Very uncomfortable. Was traveling fast over night but the wind continued to increase so we had to reduce sail. Now sailing with just storm jib only and running off course a bit for comfort. just had gust of 38 knts. Just have to wait for this front to pass some time Sunday.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

bumpy but all OK and dealing with it!

Too much motoring 'till now because of no wind. Now the wind is building with more to come. All OK on board.

Regards, John, Frances and Garth

all well

Good to be sailing, motored all night with no wind and slow progress. A wee bit concerned about some possible . rough weather coming up. we are in our own world out here, but don't forget us please. John, Frances and Garth

are finally sailing after lots of motoring. Will have plenty of wind come Saturday!. All well

all ok. Not happy about motoring for so long. Cheers from Frances, Garth and John

all well . Were given a heads up about stronger conditions by Fri/Sat

Time 1015 hrs Saturday 16 May. Sitting on marina preparing for our intended departure on Tuesday 19 May for Fiji John, Frances and Garth

Time 1700 Hrs Tuesday 28 April 2015. On marina at Westhaven , doing preparation work on the boat for when we take off mid May.

Time 1700 Hrs Tuesday 28 April 2015. On marina at Westhaven , doing preparation work on the boat for when we take off mid May.

On marina at Westhaven. Checking that our positioning works through YIT

in Auckland