After 8 months (245 days) and approximately 6000nM we are back home in Wellington. The passage across the Cook Strait this morning was fast - with Allegresse travelling at 10.6kts for a time along the south coast. Crew are well if somewhat tired - wondering what next....

We left D'Urville early Tuesday morning after a very sound sleep! We have spent the last two nights in the Sounds (Endeavour Inlet and Opua Bay). Thursday looks like a good time to make a dash across the Cook Strait - we are nearly home!

Finally made it to D'Urville Island. Typical the wind that we had been waiting for all day materialised as we entered Port Hardy Harbour - ho hum! Anchored and time for shower, beer and dinner!

Very slow progress. Wind finally dying around 4pm yesterday so we have had to resort to the 'Iron Sail'. The forecast 15NE has not kicked in, we are ever hopeful. Daybreak and sunrise over Taranaki this morning was spectacular, although too far offshore to get really good pics of the Mount Tarankai/Egmont. We hope to reach D'Urville Island before nightfall, for a good night's sleep before contemplating the weather and the push onto Wellington - so close!

Slowish progress overnight, around 8kts from the ESE at the moment, so the wind is slowly backing around to the east as forecast. After a clear stary night we have had another lovely sunrise and the day looks set for yet another great sailing day!

Today has been a perfect day in the ocean (or more correctly the Tasman Sea). Light winds - bt enough to keep us moving, flat sea, cloudless sky and a nice temperature. Slowish progress but we can put up with that. 8kts from the SSE at the moment, forecast to back around to the east in the next few hours which will help us with our course.

A pretty good first night at sea and adjustment back to life on passage seems to be going OK. We had over three kts of current around Cape Reinga for several hours that will help towards a good 24 hour run. A beautiful morning this morning with 10kts from the East in a fairly flat sea - oh and the sun is shining and it's about 20C at 7-30.

Currently in Mangonui Harbour preparing the good ship Allegresse for our return journey to Wellington. Forecast is for a lively first day and then a dying breeze - might have to motor the last sector. Depending on progress we may stopover night at D'Urville or the Sounds on Monday before heading home. Expect to be back in Welly Tuesday/Wednesday.