It's been very slow going. The wind has died off and we've been motorsailing slowly on one engine to save fuel. Unfortunately, there has been a strong counter current impeding our progress. We are averaging just over 4 kts SOG, which is frustrating. At least the seas have been very calm and skies clear. There are clouds gathering on the horizon and tonight we expect 20 kts from the SE, which should roll over into Easterlies, followed by lighter North Easterlies within 24 hrs. That is what we hope to ride the remaining 650 miles into New Zealand.

Today we picked upa hitchiker. A large brown hawk of some sort tried to land on the masthead. I kept scaring him off so he wouldn't damage my antenna or wind instruments. He must have been exhausted because he crashed right into the sail and collapsed on deck. We are over 170 miles from Norfolk Island which is the nearest land by far and I have never seen a bird of prey more than a few miles from any coastline. He's been sleeping on deck for the past few hours and now as I write he is grooming himself just outside the window. I hope that's a good sign because it will be rough tonight and the decks will be awash. In fact, the wind is already freshening.

Otherwise, all is well on board. Fingers croossed as we still have a long way to go...