[password] zara1010[position]35 11.739s 174 01.653e[status] Back at home no=
w. The plan to stay in Opua and socialise whilst we waited for the rigging =
and stanchion repairs was thwarted by the weather - the worst part of our t=
rip was the 35kn beat to windward to get from Russell - where we'd stopped =
to share coffee and cake with two other boats who'd left Noumea just a day =
before us - back to our mooring. The timing of our arrival to the bay at th=
e bottom of the garden was perfect=2C the weather lightened up for about 30=

[password] zara1010

[position]34 50s 173 58.5.e

[password] zara1010

[position]33 38 .s 173 12.e

[status] Brilliant day of fast sailing with winds from aft, genoa poled out and did 89nm in last 12 hrs. Forecast is for the fun to stop, but meanwhile we're making the best of it - just 110nm to go, but will we arrive in time to check in before the officials go home tomorrow??

[speed] 7.1

[heading] 150T

[weather] 18knts NW 2-3 m swell .

[END]

[password] zara1010

[position]32 24.460s 172 17.777e

[password] zara1010

[position]31 25' s 171 33'.8 e

[status] The wind dropped off this afternoon, so we've been motor-sailing as the seas were too lumpy and the wind too light for our kite.
Had to re-fuel during a calm patch, wind coming back now and due to be 20kn+ from the NW.
This will be the slowest day so far.
Saw a pretty big shark fin slicing through the waves off our cockpit, then circle before heading off again.

[speed] 6kn

[heading] 150T

[weather] W 16 kts Clear skies & lumpy seas 1013 hPA
[END]

[password] zara1010

[position]30 30'.2 s 170 57'.8 e

[status] Good sailing has continued, but we have the current that we enjoyed whilst going up to New Cal against us now, so that is a trifle irritating - although obvious I know.
The nights are quite cold now, but lovely and starry with few clouds and a pretty moonrise.
Need to grate and bake our carrots and transform into a cake, so that should be a workout this morning - also a serious cheese eating session is required - it's a hard life out here!
Hope to get in on Sunday before the weather changes to SE.

[password] zara1010

[position]28 22' s 169 34' e

[status] WInds have stayed since yesterday morning, the waves are 1 metre or so on the beam, so it's bouncy but we're having a good sail.
So hot yesterday we showered outside to cool off in the afternoon, now the nights are getting chilly though.
Not quite halfway just yet.

[speed] 6.1kn

[heading] 150T

[weather] 13 knts W Beautiful & blue above & below 1008 hPA
[END]

[password] zara1010

[position]27 07' s 168 51' e

[status] Good sailing all day. Blue everywhere now, lovely

[speed] 6.1kn

[heading] 150T

[weather] 13 knts SSW Hot & sunny. 1006 hPA
[END]

[password] godd

[status]

:position 36 37.337s 174 47.305e

Gulf Harbour Marina.

On the Naked Bus tomorrow night, Wellington bound.

[END]

[password] zara1010

[position]26 26.366s 168 20.14e

[status] Sailing again after a night of motoring against 1.2kn current so added frustration there.
Decided to bake some rolls stuffed with sausage, cheese & onion as we're down to the dregs of the Noumea bread, plus we need to eat those things before arriving in Opua - it was more like a work out than a baking session - but the aroma emanating from the oven is worth it.

[speed] 6.1kn

[heading] 145T

[weather] 13 knts SW/ SSW Bright & sunny. 1007 hPA
[END]