Whangaroa Harbour, Milford Island (Wairaupo). A stunning return, beautiful evening, still, warm and peaceful.

Gulf Harbour Marina, safely back in our berth, trying to find reality.

Thanks to GHR for all their support.

Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island. Cold trip down from Tutakaka. A lovely sheltered anchorage and strangely empty.

Tutukaka Harbour, anchored for the night, very nice to be back here, although no flying fish, lots of penguins.

Tied up and cleared. opua.

Opua Marina, cleared, the first mate is happy and looking for a shower. Thanks to all.

Almost abeam Cape Karikari, no land in sight. Thought water temp would be too low for flying fish but no, one on deck this morning and numerous scid marks on the dodger. Heater going inside Distracted this morning. 40 NM from BOI. A good fast arrival.

making good progress, 205nm from Opua, still at the rodeo. Sea & wind have eased overnight. Having to wear clothes, boots and socks not welcome.

Not quite laying up to waypoint in BOI, wind was NE for a while last night but shifted back to ENE early this morning.

The old bucking bronko is going for it.

still in holding pattern, very rolly & uncomfortable overnight. Great day catching up on chores yesterday.

Have decided to slow down and wait for squash zone to pass ahead of us, very easy conditions at present, A good night going nowhere. Wind has recently changed from S-SSW to ESE. All well on board (eating too much).

slow night motorsailing to windward and trying to get some money in the bank.

On passage from Isle des Pins to Opua. Pleasant conditions, a mix of motor sailing and the real thing. Beautiful sun rise this morning. All good. One flying fish on deck this morning.

all is well. A good start.

Baie de Kuto, Ile des Pins. Another cruise ship yesterday. A beautiful morning to be leaving.

Baie de Kuto, Ile des Pins. Another cruise ship yesterday. A beautiful morning. One more trip to the bakery and the final pack up for the sail home.

Baie de Kuto, Ile des Pins. Another cruise ship yesterday. A little rolly in here this morning.

Baie de Kuto, Ile des Pins. Stunning anchorage,alive with turtles, a dugong or two? ( a dugong flipped in front of me yesterday morning while paddleboarding) Lots of fish and remora. Cruise ship in yesterday, many Aussies, interesting. Looking at a Friday departure to NZ.

Baie de Kuto, Ile des Pins. Stunning anchorage, great to be back. Fast sail from Ile Casy yesterday morning. Dinner aboard Aradonna last night, very nice, fun.

Ile Casy, Baie de Prony. Isle des Pins tomorrow.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. A much quieter morning. Leaving for Prony this morning

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. A much quieter morning.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. Still very breezy but hot by day. Very social.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. Rain here late yesterday and overnight, no rain since August 4th, the locals are very worried, bush fires at Komac.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. Preparations for our trip back to NZ are well underway. Has been very breezy here.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. Our visitors are off back to NZ this morning, a great time had by all.

Port Moselle Marina, Noumea. Parked with the locals, not the cruisers, for our sins. Off to do the tourist thing today, after a rig check. Visited the boatyard and Maritime Museum yesterday. The trip home is getting closer.

Ilot Amedee, still beautiful although a tad breezy and bumpy. Out unreliable Hidea outboard has failed us yet again, so not really possible to take our guest ashore. Onwards for the shelter and delights of Noumea today.

Pointe Mere, Bonne Anse. A quiet but pleasant motor sail up from Ilse Des Pins yesterday, the hoped for winds didn't come to much. No fish. Very nice anchorage here, great view of sunset.

Baie De Kuto, Ile Des Pins, still amazing, a visit around to Baie De Kanumera yesterday. Th Dugong has been making brief visits.

Kuto, Iles Des Pins, New Caledonia. Nice moter sail down to Kuto from Ilse Casy yesterday, this place is still paradise, our guests don't want to leave.

Ile Casy

Port Moselle, visitors arrived safely and now warm. Off to Prony this morning.

Port Moselle marina. Friends arriving from NZ today. Has been very breezy.

came back yesterday in 35kts to collect guests.

Port Moselle, marina

Ile Casy, Baie De Prony. Had a great sail from Ilot Ua. Witnessed a whale off Ilot Mato thrashing it's tale and blowing about every minute, this went on for about twenty minutes but got slower, not sure if whale was giving birth, bonking or what? never saw it's head (help please Dani). A fun evening with Masterplan and Jams, long overdue catchup. Breezy but hot.

Ilot Ua, beautiful Ilot, named after our first grandson. The birds on the Ilot, while beautiful are very protective. A bit bumpy here this morning.

Ilot Uatio. Another stunning Ilot and perfect for the weather conditions. Beautiful coral. After departing from Ilot Kouare we checked out the nearby barrier reef, Recif Neokouie, then out through Passe De Kouare and back, amazing colours and pipeline seas. Air temp. 26-27C during the day.

Ilot Kouare, stunning anchorage, water colours are amazing. Green flash number two for the season last night. Another hot day yesterday. Paddle boarding shortly.

Anse Majic, Bonne Anse. Quiet spot, on mooring. Very hot yesterday, chilly overnight. Off to Southern Lagoon this morning.

Baie Du Carenage, Prony, New Caledonia. Sheltered anchorage, good holding in red mud. Off to local warm pools this morning for weekly bath.

Ile Casy, Baie de Prony, in the company of Aradonna, a favorite spot.

Had to leave Ilse Ouen, Baie de la Tortue yesterday. A local boat with three kanaks in it, was harassing the other three boats in the anchorage, when they came to us one jumped on board Distracted and was very aggressive when asked to get off, after lots of yelling and verbal abuse he ordered us to leave his island and left with his mates. We were not going to hang around. All a bit of a worry.

Baie De La Tortue, Ile Quen. Very pretty bay, a few turtles with remora stuck to them. Good holding and sheltered. The resort appears to have closed and aerodrome nearby may be in operation although we only saw one small plane and it was going the wrong way for a take off or landing. Warm by day, chilly nights.

Ilot Mato, stunning lagoon, beautiful blue green water, sheltered from sea, excellent holding.A bit breezy this morning. No paddle boarding this morning.Great result last night.

Ilot Mato, stunning lagoon, beautiful blue green water, sheltered from sea, excellent holding. Not as much sea life as Amedee, or people and boats. More paddle boarding this morning.

Ilot Amedee, on a mooring, sheltered, great snorkling and paddle boarding. Amazing sea life, lots of turtles unfortunatly for them many have remora attched to them. Seagulls protected here and very nasty. Very warm by day.

Ilot Maitre, on a mooring, sheltered, great views and paddle boarding. The hotel rooms above the water are not very attractive, the coral is good and lots of turtles. A blanket and sheet last night.

Baie Maa, New Caledonia. Spent yesterday at Ilot Signal, came back when seas got up late in the afternoon.Saw our first "Green Flash" for the season last evening. Off for a paddle.

Baie Maa, New Caledonia. Lovely sheltered anchorage.Very breezy yesterday, nice long walk. Off for a paddle.

Baie Maa, New Caledonia. Lovely sheltered anchorage.Went to Aradonna for drinks and dinner, fun had by all. Off for a paddle.

Baie Maa, New Caledonia. Lovely sheltered anchorage, a bit breezy yesterday but died out overnight. Aradonna came for drinks and dinner, fun had by all. Off for a paddle.

Port Moselle, Port De Noumea, New Caledonia. Out to cruise Southern Lagoon this morning after a visit to the market. Saturday is a special morning at the Noumea market.

Port Moselle, Port de Noumea, New Caledonia. In a berth, cleared Customs, off to town to clear immagration this morning.And market delights.

Anse Majic, Bonne Anse, New Caledonia. A trip to Lle Casy for the afternoon to feed the dog and back to Bonne Anse for the night and dinner with Per de Lune, onwards today.

Baie Du Cap, Bonne Anse, New Caledonia. Time to catch up with old friends. A new anchorage for us, difficult to get a good hold but beautiful. A tad colder than we've been used to.

Port Boise, New Caledonia. Very pleasant motor sail down from Lifou. Cleared biosecurity on beach at Baie de Gaactha, communicated via loud voices, novel.

Stopped outside Canal de la Havannah to let tsunami pass, non event but prudent. Looking for the elusive "Curried Prawns".

waiting outside Havannah pass GrandeTerre.

Baie de Gaatcha, Lifou, Iles Loyaute, New Caledonia. A good fast sail, arrived here about 1630 yesterday, stunning clear blue / green water. Good anchorage. Huge sleep.

On passage from Port Vila to Lifou. Very pleasant sail, departed Vila 1100 yesterday morning, full moon, boobie hitch hiker on mast top from 0000 - 0400.

Port Vila. Off to vote this morning, then depart for The Loyalties. Laundry returned to Yachting World.

Port Vila, Efate. Preparing to depart tomorrow morning after voting at NZHC. All going well apart from laundry going missing last night.

Port Vila, Efate. Amazing day here yesterday, new waterfront park opened by NZHC on Friday, kids of Vila really enjoying it, great effort by NZ.

Port Vila, Efate. Back to prepare for departure to New Caledonia, possibly Wednesday after voting at NZHC. Spent yesterday afternoon at Mele Bay, a bit rolly.

Esema Bay, Port Havannah, Efate. Great watching turtles all around us yesterday, the odd small sea snake. To the north of our position are four large steel mooring bouys, unlit. Apparently hurricane moorings. Care should be taken if coming here at night.

Esema Bay, Port Havannah, Efate. Back to an old favourite anchorage.

Port Charles, Undine Bay, Efate. We went around to Undine Bay today to check out the residential development, greeted by two sharks on the way into the small marina, but chose not to stay. Now back in Esma Bay. This morning after praising our anchorage it took us an hour to retrieve our anchor, caught on demolition dumpings, we don't recommend the anchorage we stayed in last night.

Port Havannah, Efate. A construction site at this end of the bay, sheltered and good holding in sand.

Richards Reef, Port Havannah, Efate. This spot is very special.

Richards Reef, Port Havannah, Efate. Saw a big fat dugong outside The Havannah while paddle boarding this morning, also numerous sea snakes resting on the reef.

Esema Bay, Port Havannah, Efate. Great weather here, back to an old favorite anchorage.

Richards Reef, Port Havannah, Efate. Fantastic anchorage in easterly conditions, frinedly locals.

Port Vila, off to Port Havannah this morning

Port Vila, still stocking up, visited NZHC, will vote there on 6th Sept.

Moorings now almost full in here (ICA)

Port Vila, restocking, more boats arriving constantly.

Port Vila, Efate. Restocking and catching up with old friends

Port Havannah, Efate. Off to Port Vila this morning.

Lalepa Island, Port Havannah, Efate, Vanuatu. Amazing morning, warm, still and sunny. Great safe anchorage in westerly conditions. Good trip down from Epi yesterday, light easterlies went light westerlies, flat seas.

on passage Epi to Havannah harbour

Revolieu Bay, Epi. Sheltered from swell behind reef. Off to Havannah Harbour soon.

Lameh Bay, Epi. Great sail across for Malakula, spotted five whales breaching. Whistle stop for horse trading. Will move down to Revolieu Bay for early departure to Havannah in morning.

Port Sandwich, Malakula. Moved slightly could not see Ambryn volcanoe last night. Stunning safe anchorage.YITsters gone. Amazing how French stripped Lamap on departure.

Port Sandwich, Malakula. Great view of one of Ambrin's volcanoes last night. Nice anchorage.

Gaspard Bay, Maskelyne Islands, Malakula.

Awei Island, Maskelyne Isalands, Malakula. Happy Birthday to YITster Mike.

Caroline Bay, Malakula

Lorlow, Metenovor Bay (SW Bay), Malakula.

Lorlow, Metenovor Bay, Malakula. Anchored at Munvet Point yesterday, very sheltered but mozzies became issue late in day, YITsters became unsettled.

Tisvel Bay, Malakula

Malua Bay, Malakula, Vanauatu

Aore, Luganville, Santo.

Aore, Luganville, Santo.

Aore, Luganville, Santo.

Aore, Luganville, Santo. Town will be much safer today, cruise ship gone. Shopping can continue.

Aore, Luganville, Espiritu Santo

Andrews Point, Baldwin Cove, Espiritu Santo. Lovely anchorage, Tx GHR. The resort appears to be being rebuilt. A frenchman advised us this is a private bay, we could not go ashore but could stay the night. Onto Luganville this morning.

Andrews Point, Baldwin Cove, Espiritu Santo. Lovely anchorage, Tx GHR. The resort appears to be being rebuilt. A frenchman advised us this is a private bay, we could not go ashore but could stay the night. Onto Luganville this morning.

Lisburn, Cape Mataavea, Espiritu Santo

Lisburn, Cape Mataavea, Espiritu Santo

Lisburn Anchorage, Cape Mataavea, Espiritu Santo. A spirited sail today 10 - 35kt S, 2.5 - 3.5m S sea, well worth the effort, first anchorage in a month with no roll and very sheltered. A lot to explore here. Could be here for a while.

Wusi Bay, Espiritu Santo. Another with two islands in it according to Navionics, not a one to be seen. A lovely sail down the coast.

Wunpuko, Espiritu Santo

Wunpuko, Espiritu Santo

on passage to the NW anchorage on Espiritu Santo

Veutumboso, Vanua Lava

Sasar Waterfalls, Vanua Lava, Banks Islands. Paradise.

Sasar Waterfalls, Vanua Lava, Banks Islands. Paradise.

Sasar Waterfalls, Vanua Lava, Banks Islands. Paradise.

Sasar waterfalls, Vanua Lava, beautiful, isolated and shared with two generous, small villages.

Sola Bay, Port Patteson, Vanua Lava.

Veutumboso Bay, Vanua Lava.

Kwetevut Bay, Santa Maria, moving on to Sola this morning

Kwetevut Bay, Santa Maria Island. Great sail yesterday, 30kt as we approached Is. Nice anchorage, Tx GHR. Olivia with us

Port Olry, Santo. Deparing for Santa Maria this morning, with Olivia

Malvoror Island, Thion, Port Olry, Santo

Thion Island, Port Olry, Santo

Lonock Bay, Hog Harbour, Santo. Olivia One in company.

Lonock Bay, Hog Harbour, Espiritu Santo. Australian yacht Olivio nearby, too shy to talk to GHR.

Champaigne Beach, Hog Harbour, Espiritu Santo. Stunning anchorage

Palikulo Bay, 9 yachts here.

Palikulo Bay

Palikula Bay, Espiritu Santo

Aore, Lugnaville, Espiritu Santo

Aore (on a mooring along from resort), Luganville, Espiritu Santo

Aore, Luganville, Espirito Santo.

Calm, CC 100% recent rain, Bar. 1011

Palikulo Bay.

calm, CC 50%, recent rain. Bar. 1011

Palkulo Bay, Espiritu Santo

Palikulo Bay, Espiritu Santo

Vanihe Bay, Aoba

Asanvari

Asanvari

Asanvari, Maewo. A beautiful bay, sheltered from sea & wind anchorage. Unfortunately they lost their yacht club during the cyclone, reopen new club in July/August.

Bwatnapne Bay, Ile Pentecote, Vanuatu.

Ranmawat (Waterfall Bay), Ile Pentecote. Well done ETNZ

Homo Bay, Ile Pentecote, water & laundry day yesterday. Go ETNZ

Homo Bay, Ile Pentecote, Vanuatu. Nice fast sail away from volcanic cloud of Ambryn yesterday afternoon.

Ambryn, off village Ranon, very hot and humid still conditions, be very pleased when trades reappear.

Epi, Morevi Point, Olivia anchored next to us, a bit rolly.

Laman Bay, Epi. Olivia One is anchored next to us. Great spot, visit from dugong and dolphins

Lameh Bay, Epi. Olivia One is anchored next to us

Vanuatu, Port Havannah, Samoa Point.

calm, 100% CC, Bar. 1011

Go ETNZ

Port Havannah

Calm, 75% CC (high), Bar. 1013

Port Havannah, Richards Reefs.

Calm, CC 80% (high), Bar. 1012

Good to back here after four years, new resort at Moso Village and super yacht onshore next to resort, had been anchored here 4 years ago.

Port Havannah, Esema Bay

Calm, CC 40%, Bar. 1013

Port Vila

Calm, 95% CC, Bar. 1014

Port Vila

Calm, CC 50%? recent rain, Bar. 1014

Calm, CC 60%, Bar. 1013.

Port Vila, stunning weather over the weekend

Port Vila.

S 5kts, 40% CC, Bar. 1010

Port Vila, Vanuatu. On mooring outside Yachting World. All cleared and under internet tree. Thanks to David and Patricia for all their help & humour.

in P Vila

Will keep the pedal down so 11.5 hours to Port Vila. gave us the news of the Americas cup crash and mast loss for NZ against UK in Bermuda. Poo

Baie de Tadine, Mare, Iles Loyaute

Baie de Tadine, Mare, Iles Loyaute

Port Boise, about to sail for Mare

Baie de Prony

Anse Du Pilote, Canal Woodin.

Baie de L'Orphelinat, Noumea, now cleared out

Baie De L'Orphelinat, Noumea. The Australian invasion has arrived in town.

Baie Maa, about to move to Noumea to clear out for Anatom

Baie Maa

Uitoe, Pointe Caouritta

Ile Ndukue

Ile Ronde, a little piece of paradise (yesterday)

Ile Abu, Baie De Uitoe

Ile T'Ndu

Ilot Mbe Kouen

Ilot Mbe Kouen, stunning anchorage.

Baie Maa, anchored here last night after a lovely afternoon at Ilot Te Ndu, got a bit rolly as the tide came up.

Port Moselle, Noumea. Calm, 0% cc, bar. 1011

Reef entry at Amedee @ 0745. Port Moselle Marina @ 1030.

Great trip.

16nm from Amedee entrance, should be in just after daylight

sailing downwind trying to encourage more east from wind.

motorsailed all night to windward in light NW. Now reaching in 10-12kt SW. seas have calmed right down. Life is fantastic.

bumpy night trying to get over top of Norfolk Is before NW arrives.

Pleasant motor sailing, sea has settled. Adverse current annoying. Beautiful moon lit night.

unsettled sea, great to be back out here. good progress

10kt SW, 5% cc, 1014

Cleared customs 0800, exiting BOI.

Stunning day to depart NZ

Matauwhi Bay, Russell. Bay of Islands. Waiting patiently.

Deep Water Cove, Bay of Islands

E 5kts, 5%cc, 1024. stunning evening.

Teparapara Bay, Whangaruru Harbour

15kt SW, 95% cc.

Urquharts Bay. Quick trip from Kawau

Out of Gulf Harbour, anchored in School House Bay, Kawau Island. Waiting for TC 99P to decide where it's going.

Bryants Bay, Ponui Island. Not nearly as exciting as Chameleon at sea. :position 36 51.305s 175 11.886e

Otarawao Bay, Mahurangi Heads :position 36 30.705s 174 43.604e

Urquharts Bay, Whangarei Heads :position 35 50.868s 174 31.791e

Oakura Bay, Whangaruru Harbour :position 35 22.635s 174 20.690e

Patunga Point, Whangaruru Harbour :position 35 21.522s 174 20.069s

Whangamumu Harbour 35 15.035s 174 17.785e

Pacific Bay, Tutukaka Harbour :position 35 36.000s 174 32.189e

Omahungaiti Bay, Great Barrier Island :position 36 08.808s 175 26.578e

Stony Bay, Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island.

:position 36 10.896s 175 20.199e

Raktu Island (Arid Island), The Cove :position 36 07.239s 175 29.596e

Harotaonga Bay, Great Barrier Island (08 01 2017) :position 36 09.869s 175 29.012e

Little Bay, Waikawau, Coromandel Peninsula.

Greeted by a smiley seal as we entered Little Bay, soon after anchoring we spotted a pod of Orca working the bay, guess the seal became lunch.

We made the local swimmers aware of the pod, most were in black wet suits.

No casualties, as of yet.

Kennedy Bay, Coromandel Peninsula :position 36 40.218s 175 34.049e

Whitianga Marina, Whitianga Harbour :position 36 50.157s 175 42.449e

Matapaua Bay, Mercury Bay sition 36 44.423s 175 48.572e

Humbug Bay, Mercury Bay tion 36 44.523s 175 49.487e