Went through the heads yesterday before the front while conditions were benign....motored most of the way around to Flinders and currently anchored off the pier enjoying watching the sailing school and club races. Nice little town and good spot to prop while waiting for ideal weather to head across Bass Strait to Deal Island. Might wait another day for the swell to die down before we leave, though - so it looks as though NYE will be on passage :$

Went through the heads yesterday before the front while conditions were benign....motored most of the way around to Flinders and currently anchored off the pier enjoying watching the sailing school and club races. Nice little town and good spot to prop while waiting for ideal weather to head across Bass Strait to Deal Island. Might wait another day for the swell to die down before we leave, though - so it looks as though NYE will be on passage :$

Went through the heads yesterday before the front while conditions were benign....motored most of the way around to Flinders and currently anchored off the pier enjoying watching the sailing school and club races. Nice little town and good spot to prop while waiting for ideal weather to head across Bass Strait to Deal Island. Might wait another day for the swell to die down before we leave, though - so it looks as though NYE will be on passage :$

Moved up to safety beach in the northerly chop and discovered a lovely anchorage. Went shopping and got accosted by the marina security guard for typing the dinghy up in the wrong spot, despite having been told by him that it was fine to tie it up there. Anchorage great - avoid spending any $'s in the marina, it is horrible. And tie up your dinghy to the floating dock at the boat ramp....then it all works!

Moved across to anchor straight off McCrae yacht club. This is the dinghy club where it all started....with mum and dad learning to sail on a 470 in their 50's. Nice to hang out and have friends drop by and say hi while we wind up to xmas madness

Stopped at Portsea for a swim along the way. beautiful warm days at the moment, but a change coming tomorrow. Tied up to the marina at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron. AMAZING facilities....highly recommended outside of silly season. nice area and close to granny and papa at Mccrae :)

Great downwind run in mostly light breezes from the prom. Left at 5.20am and managed to be in through the heads right on slack water at dusk. Tied up to a free mooring at queenscliff where the cousins disembarked....been a great week for all 4 cousins.

Amazingly placid passage from our short Gabo Island stopover. Downwind in 8-12 knots meant the boat was calmer than at anchor for the most part. Beautiful quiet sailing and great sunsets in mostly cloudless skies. Jumped to 22-30 knots from the NE as it got dark approaching the Prom last night, but snuck our way in and had the anchor down by 10pm. Such a beautiful part of the world.

Super smooth sailing with wind from almost dead behind. Motored to Gabo Island yesterday and spent a delightful 3 hours walking and meeting the fill in lighthouse keepers, Tony and Karen. Got a tour up to the top of the lighthouse (2nd highest in australia) which was a heap of fun and also amazing to see the stone work from 1862. Watched our friends on Steely Dan sail past before getting back underway ourselves at 5pm. Hoping to make it into Refuge Cove at Wilsons Prom before dark.

What an awesome stop for 3 hours while we waited for the wind to pop up! Motored around the corner in glassy seas and then dropped the pick in a delightful anchorage. Walked across the island and met the lighthouse keeper who took us up the lighthouse where we watched Steely Dan sail on by again. Extraordinary lighthouse. Saw two different seal colonies and the kids got super close to a baby seal. thoroughly recommend the stop!

Pulled into Bittangabea creek - stunning little 2 boat anchorage with a beach and all round protection. Good to get the Kai, Jaiya, Jordan and Oliver (cousins) out and exercising after a day and a half sitting still. Starlit night with fire on the beach. Head to Gabo island some time this morning to see some penguins - then a sunset departure for Wilson's Prom. It's getting cold - thermals and sleeping bags have been dug out!

Left Manly at 11 yesterday once the NE wind had come in. Had a stunning sail in 20-22 knots until about midnight when the wind died. Motored for about 5.5 hours and now the SE'ly has come in as forecast by GRIBS. Should be a nice sail now and hopefully be into Eden by about 2.

Nice catch up with a few of the magnet crew yesterday. Heading off to head south towards Melbourne via Eden and Wilsons prom today when the wind comes in

Moved around to store beach next to manly. Beautiful spot and close enough to still go shopping in manly :)

Had a spectacular sail down the Syndey Northern beaches in 15-20 knot NE'lies. Turned into Sydney harbour and sailed past all the famous landmarks to land at Blackwattle Bay. Can't believe you can anchor almost in the city centre! Was an amazing and exhilaerating day.

Had a gentle but nice sail down from Coffs. Left yesterday lunchtime and got in just before sunset at 8pm. Beautiful spot and wish we could have stayed longer. Sail was amusing as, at times we were doing 6.5 knots in 5 knots if true wind. Gotta love the east australian current!

Made it to Coffs yesterday at 12pm. Had motor on for the last 11 hours, but a great passage overall. Relatively painless check in. I think we're happy to be back in Australia....

Champagne sailing with the screecher for most of the day yesterday in 6-12 knots of easterly winds and smooth seas. Motoring since 1am as the last of the wind disappeared, and due into Coffs about midday today. Looking forward to some fresh veggies and fresh coffee beans.

Cracking day. Hooked into the East Australian Current and looking at close to a 240 mile day! A solid 2-3 knots for a lot of the time. A few showers over night, cleared up again this morning with very pleasant sailing. It's getting cold! Left the tropics officially yesterday :(.

Fairly bouncy day and night but laying Coffs easily with swell and wind steadily decreasing. More wind than expected early on but at a far better angle than expected as it backed us 25 degrees throughout the day. Motion settling down more now so overall happy with progress, making an arrival at Coffs on Friday a possibility.

Will be underway in an hour or two - hopefully headed for Coffs if it is not too bouncy once we get out there. Will probably lay off 20 degrees for the first 36 hours until the wind and swell die off a bit and then harden up.

Beautiful day yesterday. Only 10 knonts of wind, so got up early and watched a couple of huge sea turtles make a very slow crawl back into the ocean after nesting. Thinking about leaving tomorrow or Wednesday for Coffs or Bundaberg

cranked up to 20-24 knots for most of yesterday. Nice long walk along the beach observing the birds and myriad of turtle tracks up the beach to nesting sites. Haven't spotted any actual turtles yet. May go on a foray tonight.

Safely at anchor on east side of Chesterfield. Textbook tradewind sailing yesterday - 12-15 knots, very little swell, good relaxed day and one tuna on the way in. Looks like we will be here for 4-5 days before heading on to Aus

Nice smooth sailing, albeit a little slower than we are used to. GFS seems about spot on for wind strength and direction. Current now against us by about 1 knot. Hoping to get into Chesterfield before dark - should just make it.

Fast run yesterday with winds 18-24 knots of SE in the evening. Backed off a lot since midnight but still on target for a 215 mile day. Lost two lures yesterday :(. One was a monster which Jaiya reckons she saw the bill of a marlin or sailfish come to the surface on one of the big splashes....unfortunately line loooped around the top of the rod, jammed as it was running out and promptly snapped.

Had a delightful sail inside the lagoon up the coast yesterday. Stopped by Teana - nice wavesailing spot on the south side of the pass - but sadly no wave gear on board ;(. Wind cranked up to 22-27 knots in the afternoon so went to Puen for the night. Just got underway to Chesterfield now

Packed up the wind toys after a great last blast yesterday. May just make a 30 mile run up the coast to Teana today, though and wait for the southerly swell to die down and leave tomorrow morning from there instead. Anyone might think we are reluctant to head the boat towards Australia :$

Enjoying the windsurfing and last of New Cal before we head off on Monday

Back at Ilot Maitre to soak up our waiting time windsurfing. Wind piped in 8pm last night - lots of south in it but should swing during the day, it seems. Pretty set on leaving Monday unless something really nasty appears on the weather horizon. Just need to pop up the mast again today to replace some split pins.

Jobs almost done. Will check out today and are close to locking into a monday departure for chesterfield. Go out to Ilot Maitre for some windsurfing today.

Finally back in Noumea after a nice sail in NE winds yesterday. mirror smooth this morning in the harbour and fairly hot and humid. Diesel, Doctor and supermarket done. checkout, fresh and boat jobs to go before we head back to Ilot Maitre for some pre passage windsurfing

Beautiful beach time without a cloud in the sky in the morning yesterday (ua is up there as a favourite with Gadji) meant we couldn't quite force ourselves into Noumea so had a nice sail in 15 knot SE stopped at Ilot Mato. Definitely out of food now, so the call of the criossant is strong. Considering anything between sat and tuesday as departure for Cheterfield depending on likely winds into Chesterfield and a blind guess of how long we will hang out in chesterfield before making the run for Bundaberg

Long and arduous passage of 3 miles up to Ua. Just another stunning island anchorage....this one with a couple of resident Ospreys on it. Coral alive and great for leisurely snorkel straight off the boat. Reluctantly heading up to Noumea today to check out later in the week and considering a Sunday departure for Chesterfield

Finally moved on from Bae De Gadji out to Kuare in the southern lagoon. Perfect sail yesterday in 8-10 knots of wind, dead flat with code 0 and even managed to pick up a mahi mahi on the way. Getting used to the boat actually moving at anchor again :$. Stunning location, but a little bouncy last night at high tide so may move up to Ua today before heading to Noumea on Monday.

Still at Bae De Gadji. Finished the inaugural Bae De Gadji regatta yesterday after 2 days and about 15 races with 2 windsurfers, 2 sailing dinghies, and 2min start sequence. Had a ball with the kids all swapping out and racing on time trials :). Might move today to Kuare - not sure.

relaxed days....glassy mornings and 12-14 knots in the afternoon for sailing and windsurfing. Going to have to tear ourselves away from here one of these days - most likely thursday. BBQ on the beach for Halloween tonight as Vicky and Jaiya have been baking witches fingers and eyeballs :)

Spectacular morning. Had 10-15 knots yesterday but has dropped out. 2 sailing dinghies carrying 5 kids from 3 countries have gone exploring and found a good camping spot to run their own jurisdiction and haven't really been seen for the last 2 days - although they did call in a lat and long :)

Great sail to Bae De Gadji yesterday. Had 12-20 knots from the NE. Hard on the breeze most of the way, but fun flat water beating. Beautiful spot in the inner anchorage here - 360 degree protection.

Left noumea at 5am en route to Bae de Gadji while there'e NE'lies.

Gusty and squally today. Great day yesterday - school sandwiched between two windsurfing sessions. Jaiya now stand-starting on a waveboard :).

Didn't make it far from Noumea. Stopped at Ile Maitre and found a whole tribe of kiters, windsurfers and kid boats so pulled the windsurfers out and have been here ever since :). Look to take the NE down to Bae De Gadji on Sunday, probably. Gonna get some serious wind tomorrow, it seems.

Windy yesterday anchored off Noumea. Checked in and looking to beat back up to Bae de Gadji on the isle of pines in the next few days to find a nice windsurfing spot to settle into for the upcoming blow :)

Asinvari - what a great spot - did bat cave and had Jaiya's birthday. Beautiful location and lovely village

Conned our way into a nice little anchorage. Well protected but a little current

Anchored off Ratua Island Resort. Great spot and lovely owners of the resort

Moved over from Ambrym to Port Stanley on Malakula...no wind and lost two lures with big strikes on the fishing lines. Off to Louganville today in preparation for Granny and Papa coming tomorrow ;). Less rain than we thought in the last two days...chased it away again by putting up the rain awnings.

Snuck into anchorage closest to Olal on North Coast of Ambryum in small coral lagoon with two other boats (Alexander and Ka Pai)....Thank Chris from Ohana for surveying this spot a few years ago! Well protected from swell at low tide but a little jiggly at high tide. Should make it convenient for the festival today...rumour has it that it might have shifted a day earlier and start today - will find out for sure when we go ashore this morning.

En route to Ambrym from Port Resolution. Nice solid wind for the overnight broad reach. Black night given cloud cover and no moon.

Safely tucked up at anchor in Port Resolution, after getting in at midnight on sat chart, friend's track and radar - although conning our way in was easy compared to finding an anchoring spot in amongst the forrest of masts of the pacific circuit rally :$. Turned engine on at 1pm yesterday and glassy smooth ever since - spectacular sunset and starlit night with glow of volcano on approach. Seems like things are happening 6-12 hours ahead of GFS GRIBS (wind change in Fiji when we left was about 6 hours ahead of GRIB)

Nice night, wind dropping and backing, swell has settled down. Gliding along but probably have to put the motor on later in the day. Due in some time around midnight tonight. 122 miles to go. Caught a tuna at dusk last night, so the Tika sushi production line kicked into action for dinner :).

Left Vuda at 2.30pm yesterday, bound for Port Resolution. Fast but uncomfortable night with a washing machine (short period) southerly swell running, no doubt generated from the depression to the south. Wind and swell seem to have backed us a little this morning, hoping they will continue to do so during the day today so we can do an arc down towards Tanna.

Having a great time at Navadra for a kid boat catch up....6 boats, 14 kids, camping on the beach...don't come near unless you want a noisy anchorage :$

Great sail yesterday but were kept busy. 108 miles in 12.5 hours, two fish (mahi mahi and tuna), 4 gybes including swinging code 0 between each hull and had the code 0 in and out about 10 times between gybes, fish and wind gusts :). We're getting better at stopping the boat quickly when the fishing line goes. Great surfing down west coast of viti levu. Max speed 18.6 on main only :$. . Got the anchor down just before dark at Musket cove.

Left Kokomo private resort at 5:30am for a run up to Musket Cove. Hoping to get in before dark, but if not, will anchor at Momi bay

made the most of the glassy day yesterday and drifted the Naigoro pass at low tide, did Sevu Sevu and then came back up to swim with the Manta's at high tide. Great day!

On the way to go drift dive the pass. Amazing day yesterday once rain cleared at 10am and stunning again today :)

Fast and bouncy ride down from Suva yesterday afternoon - but caught a yellowfin coming in through kadavu channel and beautiful anchorage here now. Looking forward to explore the area as weather settles.

nice fast day run yesterday after a super quiet passage. Got in an hour after dark, just before the rain started to eat some of the two wahoo caught yesterday :)

Beautiful, albeit slightly slow sailing. Managed to pull in two wahoo at the same time yesterday morning. Passed an east west cloud bank last night with a light sprinkle of rain - only an extra 4 knots of wind in it. Hoping to be in Suva right on sunset tonight.

super quiet night with wind between 6 and 8 knots, but swinging 30 degrees, so glad to have autopilot on wind angle

En route to Suva from Ha'apai. Spectacular day, great sailing and nice view of Tofua Volcanoe as we sail past

Stopped briefly at one of our favourite atols in the haapai's

Anchored off Matafonua, enjoying the windsurfing and clear water now the rain has cleared and the sun has come out. Managed to drop the go pro off Kai's mast today, mark the spot with a buoy and actually find it with snorkelling gear later. Happy about that :). amazing sail down past about 20 pods of whales on Thursday.

Stayed overnight in Mananita on way back to Ha'apai. Stunningly beautiful spot. hosted a Swiss family for dinner who are camping out for 4 weeks.

Anchored off Kenutu. Lovely spot :)

Anchored in the lagoon off Foeata Island. Stunning spot - a little jiggly at high tide. Good wave on south side, but beyond our equipment and abilities. Heading into Neiafu today to rig the dinghy, Tika Taka, and compete in the King's Birthday regatta.

Anchored in an uncharted lagoon on the SW side of Nomuka Ika, nicely protected from wind and swell. Good snorkelling.

Anchored off Haafeva waiting for the wind to blow itself out a bit. Hopefuly we might be able to resupply some onions eggs and potatoes at the village

Anchored off Tofanga Island in Ha'apai Group, Tonga, enjoying the windsurfing, snorkelling and dinghy sailing :). Will think about moving some time in the next few days as the wind goes up one more notch.

Anchored just off the Tofanga Island in Ha'apai. School, windsurfing and fires on the beach :)

Anchored off the sandspit next to Uonukuhihfo Island in Ha'apai, Tonga, enjoying the windsurfing :)

Stunning day in Ha'apai, anchored next to Limu in gin blue water

Heaved to next to the outer reefs of Ha'apai. Stunning night and fantastic sailing for last 24 hours. 2.5m long period swell and 20 knots on the beam made it fast and fun. Should have anchor down by 10am. Beautiful day and nice to have the family home back in the tropics! Just realised had typos in last 2 positions (should have been W not E longitude)

Tried to put the brakes on for a period yesterday by pulling in the tiny bit of jib we had out (already on 3rd reef in main). Worked a little. Squalls of yesterday have now left us which is nice. Swell has backed us a little and wind eased so slightly more comfortable and back moving along well again without too many crashes and bangs.

Hard night. Lots of squalls. Short period building easterly swell makes it a washing machine right now. Considering running off to Minerva to take pressure off the boat.

Intend staying until Wednesday but need to clarify this decision as DOC have not given a permit for anchoring here due the Myrtle rust problems. There is no transiting or anchoring within 1000m of any island in the Kermadecs.

Lovely quiet night. Wind, swell and seas all from straight behind. planning to head east until the wind swings then slowly come back to the west until the depression goes through. Probably "jog on the spot" until tue or wed.

Left yesterday and now wondering what to do with the weather situation on route.

Anchored in Pipi Bay in Port underwood after a great, fast sail through Cook Strait yesterday. Making the run up the east coast tomorrow and hoping for good weather!

Just finished up a wonderful 2.5 weeks in nelson, including an epic 8 day hike and catching up with nearby friends...as well as waiting out the remnants of 2 cyclones

Moored in Port Taranaki...awaiting some northerly winds to take us back down to Nelson