Back at Gulf Harbour after a fantastic season in the Islands. Nice to be back, but it could get a tad warmer.

1730hrs arrived into Opua Marina safe and sound. Calm trip in with 10knot NW winds. Good to be on land - for a moment. Thanks to David and Patricia and Mike for the wonderful web site and looking over us during passage. Much appreciated.

A better day motor sailing at 7 knots with 8 - 14 knots of southerly winds, with 2 meter SE swell. COG 132m. Nice sunny day and hoping this is our last night of sailing, hoping to get into Opua tomorrow avo.

A better night for sleeping, but sill motor sailing with 8 knot SE, travelling at 6 knots. COG 133m. Swell of 1.5 meter Sth. Partly cloudy skies and VERY cold. Thermals and winter woollies are on permanently now. Goodbye tropics!

Motor Sailing at 6 knots with SE winds 10 knots. 2-3 metre Sth swell and 1 metre E swell. COG 116m. Partly cloudy skies and cold. Another day of pounding into the sea, but slowly calming down late this avo and not so sloppy. Both good on board.

12-15 SSE Winds and motoring at 4.00 knots into it, so not that comfortable. COG 175m. 3 mtr SE swells and cloudy skies. Both OK but a tad tired - a few days to go yet.

15 - 20 SSE winds and travelling at 5 knots. 2-3 metre SE swells. COG 156. Horrible day of sailing, cold and rainy, with the wind pushing us towards Aussie. Hoping for some sunshine and Southerlie winds to push us back to NZ. This could be a long journey!

Still motoring with 3 knots of wind SE, glassy seas, travelling at 6 knots. Fine with some high cloud. COG 128m. Both cruising along, would love some wind in our sails.

Lots of motoring with 4 kn SE travelling at 6 kn. 1 mtr swell SE. Beautiful sunny skies. COG 134 m. Pretty uneventful evening, with only one ship sighting so far.

Its been a day of motor sailing, travelling at 6 knots, with wind 10knots SE, Swell of 1 mtr SE and sunny skies. COG 132 m. Cruisy day sitting in the sun eating home made pizza. Not roughing it too much.

Started motoring at 11.30 last night and currently motor sailing at 6 knots with 6 knots SE. 1 mtr Southerlie swell. A little bit of high cloud. COG 140 M We had an influx of flying fish bombarding our boat last night, so had to do a bit of a clean up this morning - not big enough for breaky.

depart New Cal 6am this morning with a good breeze, currently travelling 6 kn with 10kn SE. Swell 1 mtr SE. COG 175 and sunny skies. Both of us ready for a few days of limited sleep.

Had a great early morning along with lots of other Kiwis and Aussies at the local bar watching the All Blacks win and the locals beating each other up. Currently at Baie de Citron, but heading out to Ilot Maitre today where we will prepare to depart first thing Monday, fingers crossed. We have loved every minute of New Caledonia and intend to come back soon.

At Ilot de Legenere, just nth/west of Noumea. Weather fine with light winds

Sitting in Baie Maa about 7 miles nth of Noumea.

Baie de Citron

Baie De Citron for the night after some shopping in Noumea

Sailed up to llot Maitre for a windsurf with a heap of kite boarders & other windsurfers

Sailed up to Baie de Prony on main land New Cal, very nice place apart for the rain &wind today

At Baie de Kuto with 20 other boats, some local but most from off shore

Sailed from Ouvea to Isle de Pins overnight with Sth westerlies which was fine until they built up to over 20 knots, great windsurf when we got to anchor.

Back at Ouvea before heading to the Sth lagoon & Noumea

Currently at Ile Beautemps-Beaupre, which is a little lagoon in the middle of nowhere and no internet. Saw a humpback whale last night and followed it in our dingy. It was flapping its fins around in the water - spectacular! We had 5 great days with our friends Kirsty and Geoff who we have just said goodbye to. All good in New Cal so far.

Currently at Ouvea and enjoying the beautiful white beaches and clear Aqua water. Not in a rush to leave as the windsurfing is very good.

We made it at 1450hrs Sunday. A good trip with an equal amount of sailing and motoring. Early hours of this morning we hit a wave that was full of oil, which distributed itself all over the front of our boat and gennaker. A bit of clean up on passage with lots of hot soapy water. Not much fun up on the bow. Tx to that ship that pumped out its bilge. Oh well, good to be hear.

No wind and glassy seas, which allows you to see lots of flying fish, but no fish on the hook today. Course 240m Speed 6.5knots with 2-3knots of wind. Beautiful sunny still day - great for a launch.

Another fabulous sunny day, which started with enough wind 8-12 knots to put the gennaker up, but later the wind died and motoring.

Course 242 Speed 6.5knots. Dolphins kept us company for a wee while which was a treat. Both fit and healthy.

Great day sailing with between 12-16knot SE winds. Course 250m Speed 7 knots. Sunny skies and smooth seas. We had a bonus fish, which Warwick claims is a black marlin. Yum, we can finally fill our freezer.

Departed Vuda Marina at 1300hrs, heading for New Caledonia Course 240m Speed 7.4 knots with 11 knots southerlie winds. Blue skies and beautiful conditions.

At Denarau and heading to Vuda Marina today to check out of Fiji and heading for New Caledonia.

Currently at Denarau, refuelling and stocking up for passage to New Caledonia, departing Wednesday 2nd Sept

Heading Musket to catch up with Paul & Helen from Sweet Disorder

A couple of nights at Blue Lagoon

Yasawa Is. Not a boat or person in site,fine weather light wind, what else can you ask for

Currently at Muskat Cove after spending some time with friends in Denarau

Left Muskat Cove a couple of days ago to meet a couple of friends up at Blue Lagoon.

Looking forward to spending a few days with them, hope the wind drops a little.

Left Nanau-I-Ra on Wednesday and spent a night at Sawene Bay, just south of Lautoka. We are now at Muskat Cove and intend to be in Denarau today to pick up friends for a few days.

We have been in Nanau-I-Thake for the past week, playing on the windsurfers. We intend to stay for another week. Having lots of fun.

After a long day to get cleared by customs 4.30 avo and lots of drama getting a cruising permit, we are now off to Namina Island for lots of beautiful diving and a perfect few days for it - Yay!

Arrived into Savusavu 20/5 0130hrs, where we hooked up to the quarantine mooring. The drive unit for the auto pilot (the one thing that wasnt replaced) clapped out, so we were hand steering into Savusavu. Its been an adventure with a few challenges, but we made it. Tx to all those that have followed our progress. As we move around the Islands, we will be updating our position from time to time. Tx David and Patricia for the weather updates - much appreciated.

Lots of land to be seen and not far from Savusavu. Its been a mixed bag today, ranging from 12 - 30knots from South through to North East winds. Hard to know what sails to use really. Should arrive just after midnight. Looking forward to going to bed without lots of movement.

Another long night of 20-25 SE winds, right behind us - lots of rocking and rolling making it hard to sleep. Making ok distance tho travelling about 7.5 knots. Looking forward to the home run much later tonight, maybe early hours of the morning.

A slow start for the morning 10-15knSSW, but the afternoon has been better sailing 18-25knSW. Still reasonable swells, which makes everything a bit harder, but we are now getting closer and should see some outer Islands in the morning.

Rough night with big swells 17-25kn SSE winds. Not much sleep. Only a couple of days to go.

What a trip! Winds between 20-25 SSE and averaging 8 knots. The swell is about 4 meters and we are doing alot of rock and rolling. First time of not doing a proper meal tonight, just rice and casserole out of a tin (not bad actually). We have been hand stearing all day, quite fun surfing the waves. 15.8 knots at once stage.

We are leaving North Minerva today. The winds are a brisk 15 - 22kn Southerly - Perfect for heading to Fiji, behind us all the way. We have enjoyed the snorkeling - saw a big turtle yesterday in the entrance way, swimming towards us - amazing! Another three days of travel should be fun.

Arrived at North Minerva 1630hrs after spending a nice time at South Minerva. Walked around some of the reef this morning with people from 2 other boats. Not much wind at present 6kn Easterlies (got it right this time - "sorry David & Patricia" yesterday I said W winds and should have said East winds). Anyway, what matters is that we caught a nice big yellow fin tuna for dinner. Yum!

Got to South Minerva late morning and spent a beautiful sunny day here. 9 knots SE winds here. We had our first snorkel in a long time and it was lovely. Looking forward to a full nights sleep.

A nice gentle easterly sail between 5-8knots, with winds between 8-12 knots. Only a couple of hours before we reach South Minerva, which we will go into as we went into North Minerva last year. Another gorgeous sunny day. It is definitely warming up - the clothes are getting lighter and lighter.

Another fabulous sunny day with a lovely gennaker run all day travelling 6-8knots with about 8-14knots of westerly wind. Just started motoring now, as the wind has dropped and we need to power up. Both well and relaxed.

Fantastic night of sailing. Between 8-15 knots of wind, westerlies and averaging about 7 knots. Nice conditions. No one around us last night. Still on track for reaching Minerva Thursday - YAY!

At about midday the westerly wind kicked in about 7-12knots and we started with Main, Gennoa and stay sail, then saw a boat in the distance, so put up the Gennaker and really covered some ground going 5 - 8 knots. We caught up to Warratah Lass and had a chat. We both took photos of each others boats. We will catch up in Minerva. It is nice not to be motoring for a change. We are both well, enjoying the sailing.

A calm night, little wind 5-7knot westerlies and lots of motoring - 6.5knots. Hoping for stronger westerlies today. Both of us are well and getting enough sleep. We still are very lonely out here though - no one on the horizon. Hope to arrive at Minerva Reef about Thursday.

Another day of motoring at 6 knots with 3-7knots of wind. Smooth seas and lots of sun. We had a visit from 5 Swallows this morning who flew into our centre cockpit, with one of them positioning himself on the steering wheel next to Warwick, then falling off each time the wheel turned automatically - very humorous! No one else in site, so another lonely night on the ocean.

A long night of motoring and no wind - between 3 - 7 knots variable and very smooth seas. Good sleep as the motor drowns out all the other sounds. Both of us fit and well and pretty relaxed. Its not getting any warmer yet tho, but we have seen flying fish and the water is getting bluer.

Another day of light wind and very slow sailing, but we are going forward which is the main thing. Averaging about 5.5 kn. Both of us are well and enjoying the cruisy pace

A good gentle sailing night between 9 - 20knots with SE winds. About a 1 meter swell. Its good not to be motoring but still making reasonable distance. A few boats were around us last night, but we are by ourselves now. Both of us survived the first night and are not too tired. All Good!

A beautiful day to start off with, but alot of motor sailing. The breeze has now freshened to 10-12 knots SE and we are having a nice gentle sail. Warwick is ready to start his first shift 7 - 10pm and I will try to grab a couple of ZZZZ's. All in all, not a bad first day.

Leaving Opua at 0945 hrs. No wind to speak of, but a beautiful day nonetheless. Looking forward to a safe passage. Crossing our fingers for a little bit of wind. Bon Voyage and everyone at home take care. xxx

At the Bay of Islands sorting out the odd equipment failure and other odds and ends. Waiting for a good weather pattern to leave NZ, hopefully end of the week (cross fingers).

We decided to shelter at Whangamumu for the night as the wind would have been on our nose 25-30 west/sw going into the Bay. No point smashing ourselves just yet. Had a nice walk instead. Heading off today to Opua, but may need to motor as not alot of wind.

After a windy ride up the coast, we arrived at Tutakaka today and intend to possibly arrive at the Bay of Islands Thursday.

We are on the move, anchored at Bon Accord Harbour for the night. Wont be back at Gulf Harbour for another 6 months. Yay!

in the marina testing yit. looking forward to heading north - fiji bound approx 1st of May all going well with weather