At the Q Dock, Opua! Quickest passage yet - 8 days, 22.5 hours - Denerau Marina, Fiji to Opua Marina, NZ. Awesome sail yesterday, and thru the night - nw winds, 17-19 knots during the day, and 22-27 at night, until it died out to 10 knots approaching the Bay of Islands. Time for a nice long, hot shower, and (several) cold beers! All is well on board.

Motored thru the night with very light (1-3 knot) s-sse winds. We are approaching the sw quadrant of the high pressure system; winds have picked up to 10-12 knots from the west - sailing again! We are just under 160 nm from "the barn," and anticipate tying up to the Q Dock in Opua on Sunday afternoon. All is well on board.

Sailed thru the night with sse then se winds. Winds died off around 4 a.m.; motoring again. At sun up were visited by an albatross; beautiful! All is well on board.

Passed thru front yesterday a.m.; few squalls, no drama. Southerly winds since; now 16-20. Motoring to make southing; very lumpy ride. All is well on board.

Approaching front. All is well on board.

Still motoring; under sunny skies yesterday, grey this morning. Wind is still light. All is well on board.

Glorious day of sailing yesterday under sunny skies, fairly calm seas, and fresh breeze. Wind went light last night at 2030 hrs, and we started motor sailing. On a somewhat more westerly corse now, as we expect to encounter a frontal system on Wednesday morning, followed by fresh southerlies; will need to tack ese to sail them, then tack sw towards Opua when the winds back to se. All is well on board.

Smooth sailing at last! Wind and sea has moderated considerably. On a comfortable beam reach with suit of sails in 11-14 knots of ese wind and a 1.5-2 meter ssw swell on the starboard quarter. Forecast is to lose the wind by evening, as we enter the middle of a high pressure system; then we will set the "iron main." Still making decent progress; 815 nm to go. All is well on board.

Rough start to the passage; thru Navula Pass at 1430 local, with strong sse winds 22-25 knots, and rough seas. Wind and sea moderated around 0100 this morning, but seas are still quite lumpy in 17-19 knots of wind with a 2-3 meter swell on the nose! Making decent progress. All is well on board.

Leaving Port Denerau, enroute to Navula Pass, then on to Opua, NZ!

Moored in Port Denerau awaiting Friday, 14 November early am departure for passage to Opua, NZ.

likely to head from Fulanga to Matuku tomorrow

arrived and waiting for Immigration etc

45nm to Vuda pass so nearly there

destination change to Vuda to make repairs

late tonight winds will go south as band moves NE

will gybe soon. Wind has backed from 18 SSW last night

have been busy with repairs and now know the Maine proverb "nothing too strong ever broke"