I was told that everyone gets a pasting across the Tasman and we were no exception. We have battled 40+knot NE headwinds for some time now. At times we had storm jib and trysail beating into it. Last night the forecast was for more gales overnight followed by winds today backing into the NW. We decided to deploy the sea anchor to wait out the wind. After considerable machinations the drogue went over the side and we lay back against 120m of 25mm double braid nylon in the building seaway. The night was very wild and unfortunately not particularly restful due to excessive rolling and noise from the chain over the bow roller. We were glad to get going again in the morning. We thrashed our way to windward yet again to leave the Three Kings Islands to starboard and then cracked sheets to romp off past Cape Reinga and at 8pm tonight the North Cape. The islands appeared very remote and foreboading in the heavy seas and winds but looked like a good place to visit in fine weather. We are hoping to make port in Opua tomorrow morning and looking forward to some dry gear and a non moving bed. Everyone on board is well but all of us are sporting some bruises of one sort or another.

02. Crossing the Ditch

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The weather gods are not giving in without a fight. We have just under 100nm to go to Cape Reinga which is east of us and we have 30- 35 kts on the nose with seas to match. This is all courtesy of the dominant high and a developing low which is creating a squash zone behind us. To make it to the cape as quickly as possible to escape this weather we are motor sailing with triple reefed main and no jib. The waves are crashing over the boat all the time and it is not a little damp inside. To lift our spirits we have met with Dr Glen Fiddich and are now trying to relax into the conditions. Some wonderful big albatrosses have flown past but the biggest of all was NZ Orion 1 out on reconaissance yesterday. We spoke with them on VHF 16. Saw our first ship since leaving Sydney 9 days ago. We must be getting close. We hope to round the Cape tomorrow morning.

02. Crossing the Ditch

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The headwinds have continued slowing our progress east. Overnight we had a backing breeze to 070 and were able to point at NZ for a change. Wind strength up to 25 knots so we kept a conservative sail plan of triple reefed main and staysail to avoid pounding too hard through the seas. Currently steering about 100M under jib and two reefs. The infamous Wanganella banks are to port thank goodness. They look quite nasty with 25m depths only. We have all had a bit of cabin fever as the cockpit was extremely wet in the last 24 hours. However today saw us have lunch outside for the first time in a while. Everything inside is a bit salty making it all greasy, yuk. We have not seen any fish life or other boats for many days now. Occasionally we see a flock of petrels patrolling the ocean but otherwise this is a really big place. Imagine you are the only person on a small island with ocean all around for 1000km. Or like in the deserts of Western Australia. Just vast. For a while it appeared that we would soon have to face a major crisis i.e. no rum. Fortunately, Jen did some fridge diving and has extracted some more fine spirt. We will be having celebrations at every milestone that presents itself.

02. Crossing the Ditch

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The relentless SE has pushed us well to the north and now is swinging easterly before going NE tomorrow. We hope to work down to north cape on this new breeze. Seaway has been variable from washing machine to regular swell with two metre chop and back. Currently working on 033 M under staysail and triple reefed main in 25 knots. We have taken a large amount of water over the boat but Diomedea is handling it very well. We are well and in good spirits, having had sundowners just a short while ago. We have spoken with russell radio for a position log. All foredeck activity is conducted in underwear and Musto jacket. Bizarre but saves on washing salty clothes. Have had celebratory consultations with Captain Morgan, Doctor Gordon and Father Carlton successfully conducted. NZ within striking distance of less than 400m. Sailing fast as beer is running out. David

02. Crossing the Ditch

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The last 24 hours have been sunny and warm but the seas have been lumpy. I thought I had asked Phil to send out a grader ahead of us. We have also had some challenges. After dusk Sunday night there was a loud report and the jib started down the track on the forestay. Hmmm.. no halyard. We were able to furl the jib and set the staysail and sail quite effectively. However in the morning it was time for some aerial freestyle courtesy of Geoff. The halyard was intact but a fitting on the top end of the furler had given way. Geoff boldly volunteered for the retrieval and success was ours. Eventually we hoisted the jib and were away. The rest of the day was spent in idyll mode for some and for a prolonged session trying to get the freezer sorted out by others. Unfortunately the wind was very much on the nose and we have been pushed a long way north during the period. We have had our standard sea sickness prophylaxis of alcohol and cappuccinos and managed to fit in some food as well. During the afternoon seas built and we took a lot of water over the deck as we did 8 knots into the waves. This prompted the discovery of new leaks and now it is time to fix them. We about to pass the halfway mark in a few hours but we need to get south to some extent otherwise we will miss NZ. Jen, our fearless navigator, who rarely leaves the deck saloon, has plotted out the next 48 hours and hopefully her promised NE breeze will appear. PS watchkeeping in the deck saloon is outstanding.

02. Crossing the Ditch

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Its dark. Black. 3 am. The moon is days away from its rebirth. The stars are faint and disguised by atmospheric vapour. Towering black shapes roving the inky sky come bearing down us. They are oppressive and seem to linger overhead. The stars are blotted out one by one. Its dark. I can barely see the horizon line. With each looming cumulus comes new wind. Sometimes its favourable but more often it heads us. The cockpit is a vague collection of angles lit by the green LED instrument panel. As I sit here bathed in this ethereal glow I watch millions of tiny sea creatures flash their signature sparkles in our bow wave. There is some light. We are bounding across the Tasman sea in a thankfully moderate seaway. Diomedea shoulders aside the ocean to leave her stamp on each wave. She is on her way to New Zealand and is anxious to get there. 300 miles behind lies Sydney and now there is 795 to go. You sleep on.

02. Crossing the Ditch

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