Arrived, but guess what, no quarantine service until tomorrow. So another night on board at the mercy of government officials. Not even allowed to step off the boat. Welcome home fellow Australians!

Feel like we are prisoners.

We were looking forward to fish and chips and draught beer.

Nearly there. Hydrographers Passage is wild place for a little boat at night in 25knot winds, Spring tides and shipping all mixed up together.

Anyway, about 4 hours to tie up. Had a great sail across from the reef today wish the whole week had been the same!

We're through the passage, and weaving our way through the reefs.

ETA about 1700. Need more speed so we can catch customs before they close.

On track to make tonight's tide through Hydrographers. Swells up again, but quite tame compared to yesterday!

Well that was a roller coaster ride, in fact all 4 Gold Coast theme parks in the one session. Still a bit lumpy, but really not too bad now, the trough has blown through.

Forecast for the rest of the trip is not great, but I think we can handle it now!

Just passed the shipping lane, a fair bit of traffic on that road. Marion Reef just up ahead, was considering pulling in and letting the weather blow through, but no need now. Next stop Hydrographers, hoping to catch tomorrow nights tide.

Looking like a Wednesday lunch time arrival in Mackay if all goes to plan.

Hoolie Doolie we are caught under a trough. Boy it's rough. The computer weather models under estimated this one big time. Wind isn't too bad (25 to 28 knots), but the sea and swells are huge!. Hopefully it should pass over in a few hours.

Very pleasant night. Wind has dropped to 11 knots, so heading west to find more.

Had a good night, everyone caught up on sleep as we were far less roller coaster like. Swells have picked up a little this morning but manageable. Back in Australian waters, so the only pirates to fear now are the Stokesies of this world!

Swells have dropped off, wind average 16 knots, all sail up and off we go again. We are far more stable tonight, probably get a decent sleep.

Had to slow down in the night, swell causing mini broaches, starboard deck underwater!!!!! Main down, reefed headsail only, still making 6 knots though.

Weather has improved during the morning, swells back down to less than 2m, still under headsail only, more comfortable. A bit tiring all this constant rolling and surfing down swells.

It's a rolly old night tonight. Swells up to 3.5m we reckon. Just as well weather bureau has a disclaimer saying waves can be twice as high as forecast, cause many are definitely bigger than 1.7m!! All we can do is keep steadily plodding on through it, fortunately we are riding with the sea instead of in to it. Forecast indicates it should drop down a bit over the next 24 hours.

Great sailing, seas getting a little bigger though (as forecast). Not uncomfortable apart when we catch a swell wrong and it decides to come over the deck and spray us all!!

Mal de Mer has overcome Alfie again. So much for being a rough and tough diver girl!

Catch you on the next one.

Still cracking along @7.5 knots with 2 reefs in. No fish on the line yet, although we think they are swimming around under us as our sounder occasionally alarming less than 3m depth, chart says its 5000m deep. Hope it's fish, and not some random stalagmites popping up from the sea bed!!

Reefs in, buckled up, hold on and we are off! Bit lively overnight, but settled down today. Surfing down 2m swells, then climbing up the next. Making good progress.

10nm north of Sabine Shoal. Conditions a little worse than forecast, but making good progress.

Got back to Luganville yesterday lunch time. Done the laundry, dumped the garbage, fuelled up, and ready to go across the ditch again.

Had a final dinner out at the Beachfront Resort.

Cleared out today, got the passports stamped, and are now about to weigh the anchor. Sad, but we have a weather window we can't turn down. Looks like it will be a fairly speedy trip home.

Will try to get the updates happening, still have some operator error with the YIT app, but will do our best, so do not panic if we go out of sight for a day or two.

Until the next one, we are on our way - ETA about Wed/Thursday next week.

Anchored outside Peterson Bay. Surveyed the channel into the bay, 2m @ 1/2 tide. Think we'll stay outside providing not too rolly.

Anchored outside Peterson Bay. Surveyed the channel into the bay, 2m @ 1/2 tide. Think we'll stay outside providing not too rolly.

Anchored outside Peterson Bay. Surveyed the channel into the bay, 2m @ 1/2 tide. Think we'll stay outside providing not too rolly.

Anchored outside Peterson Bay. Surveyed the channel into the bay, 2m @ 1/2 tide. Think we'll stay outside providing not too rolly.

Anchored outside Peterson Bay. Surveyed the channel to get in over the bommies, only 2m @ 1/2 tide, so I think we'll stay out unless it is too rolly.

Happy Birthday James. Anchored in Port Olry, this place is magic. Lobster and coconut crab for tea.

On our way to Port Olry, but called in to Champagne beach for the night, sun getting a bit low to negotiate bommies later (another hour or so to Port Olry). We'll head off again in the morning.

Anchored in Shark Bay, but the sharks are nowhere to be seen. Local name is Velit Bay, Beautiful bay. Great diving on northern corner. Local people just wonderful. Recommended.

Back at the Beachfront Resort. Provisioning, and off up the coast tomorrow for the week.

Not sure if we'll have phone coverage.

Day trip to Million Dollar point and Palikoulo Bay.

Dived, snorkelled and chilled.

Back to Luganville tomorrow for university upload and reprovisioning.

Heading up East coast next week.

We arrived Saturday morning. Not sure why the updates haven't been coming through, probably operator error, sorry.

Looks like the blog post didn't upload either. Will get onto this asap.

We were stuck on board until Monday lunch time waiting for customs clearance, so have only just caught up on provisions, laundry and Internet connection.

Watch this space.

We are through the Passage Grande, that is officially 3/4 of the way there.

On the home run to Luganville now, but weather forecast is for doldrums again.

Check the blog. I think I had a problem with the date when I uploaded it, so you may need to have a bit of a hunt around to find it.

Let us know how you go.

Slowly meandering towards our destination under spinnaker in very light winds.

Friday lunch time arrival is not on the timetable now, unless decent wind blows up for the next couple of days. However that is not on the forecast.

Birthday today - will see if we can upload to the blog.

One day away from the big 6 O......sorry meant 5 O (typo error!).

Pleased to say everybody is fully recovered and the sick bay is now empty! The cook has been kneading today in preparation for lunch; freshly baked olive bread with cheese and some cold meats.

The youngest crew member has had her first lesson in hand washing; a bit of a cultural shock for a young teenager! Yesterday arvo, had to send the Captain overboard with his snorkelling gear on to check out the prop as an unusual vibration could be felt when the engine was started up. What ever was done down there the issue disappeared; he might get an extra piece of bread for that!

Engine off, sails up. Peace again. On Island time now, getting closer.

Wind came in at 1700 yesterday, great reach to the east. Covered 160 miles for the day - PB for Serena-T. Weather models say head further north, so we have turned towards Chesterfield Reefs. ETA midday Monday if current weather keeps up. Expecting doldrum conditions again late Monday/Tuesday so currently considering a short stopover at the reefs - will depend on the weather - everything depends on the weather out here!

Nurse Preston has been busy with her drug rounds which has managed to reduce 2 of the crew's Mal de Mer symptoms! The heavy mob (the whales) have obviously called for reinforcements which have included some additional dolphins. Witnessed a special event today; dolphins swimming in the wake of Serena-T.

Flat calm today, but should pick up late afternoon.

All safe and well

So many whales. Wind dropping, wind and tide on the nose this afternoon, so progress slowed. Mal de Mer is taking its toll, hopefully the girls will find their sea-legs soon - if they remembered to pack them!

So many whales. Wind dropping, wind and tide on the nose this afternoon, so progress slowed. Mal de Mer is taking its toll, hopefully the girls will find their sea-legs soon - if they remembered to pack them!

Whales everywhere first day, dolphins join us for breakfast second day, wonder what day 3 will bring.

Settling in to watchkeeping, 1/2 moon lighting up the horizon for us. Motor from midnight to 0500, 3 knots wind from behind doesn't get us going far!

Whales everywhere first day, dolphins join us for breakfast second day, wonder what day 3 will bring.

Settling in to watchkeeping, 1/2 moon lighting up the horizon for us. Motor from midnight to 0500, 3 knots wind from behind doesn't get us going far!

Welcome aboard everybody.

We are all set to depart, birthday cake eaten already - bit early but yummy.

Preparations for the big adventure are well under way; but then they did commence 1 1/2 years ago!

Sarah's new passport arrived 2 weeks ago; whoops we nearly missed that one as her previous passport was only valid for 5 years!

Dried food supplies are stored away thanks to the assistance of all four family members.

Last Monday, 4th crew member arrived in Australia from the UK; welcome Alfie.

Back at the Beachfront Resort. Provisioning today, head off up the east coast tomorrow for the week. Not sure how good the phone coverage will be, so maybe a while before we upload again.