At last, I feel we are finally getting somewhere and we are now on the downward leg of the trip. We have made some good progress today even though we had to motor as there is no wind at all. We are currently in the middle of the high that is between the last front and the front coming tomorrow night in New Zealand. We will have to motor all night, but should have winds picking up as the front approaches. We will be still north of the front when it hits us and so we won't get the full force. We will have some north winds to take us south for Friday night and then Saturday, Sunday and maybe Monday we will have winds from the south west. We are still going west to get to Bob's new way point and when we get there we will turn left and make the run to North Cape. From there we will stay within a close distance to the coast to shelter from the SW 3-4m swell that is supposed to happen and then sail down towards Opua. There is chance of lightening on Friday night before the front comes around 10pm, but I think we should be north of it, or at least I am hoping we will be. There will be heavy rain with minimal visibility according to the weather, but we don't need to see much as we will still be way out at sea at that time and we have radar and our AIS to pick up other boats. We have out wet weather gear ready. We also downloaded Predict Wind and it showed us the same information that Bob gave us. We are feeling a lot more positive about the front. Not that we will enjoy it, but it doesn't look as threatening as fronts commonly are around New Zealand. If all goes well and we time it well, then we can say we had a great passage.

Today, was so calm that I cleaned the cockpit and did a few other jobs like, fill out all the immigration paperwork. Neil cleaned the dinghy hull while it is upside down on the deck. He also cleaned the outboard for the dinghy and so they don't have any green slime on them anymore. I used our last eggs today and made us eggs and toast for lunch. Neil was rapped and said, 'yum, yum', as he likes eggs on toast and often likes it for lunch rather than breakfast.

I sent off an email today to make a reservation for the marina in Opua. I said to Neil I want to stay in the marina while the rally is on and then I can get on and off the boat whenever and also because the weather hasn't been very nice. The marina is protected from the winds. It will also be easier to clean the boat and do jobs, plus have the luxury of using the water at the marina, as we really need to get the water maker leak fixed before we continue to use the water maker. I am hoping we can get that done in Opua. So, being able to fill up the water tank with marina water means, I can have the luxury of enjoying a nice long shower after we arrive. Heaven!!

Nothing much else to report, although I think I forgot to mention that Neil sent off an article to a New Zealand magazine about his suspected Cholera experience in Cuba. They liked the article and published it, we think in their latest magazine. We are looking forward to seeing it in print. Neil asked them if they could send us a copy to his parent's house, so it should be there when we arrive. We are quite pleased about that and the New Zealand magazine company pays 3 times more than the Australian magazine company we found out. It can go towards our marina cost in Opua and Tauranga!

Starting to get excited today, especially when I heard on the radio a boat we know were only only 5nm from the dock in New Zealand. They left Tonga with us, but decided to not stop at Minerva. They got pummeled by the front we have stayed north and west from, but are so close now. My heart leapt for joy for them, as I know they had a hard time the last few days. I can't wait for that feeling of relief which Gail had in her voice on the radio tonight.

Signing off for now and our current position is 28 degrees 27.273S and 173 degrees 34 minutes.420 minutes E. We are currently on a course of 200 degrees True, motor sailing at 5.8 knots with 3 knots of wind from all directions. We have 80% cloud cover and the barometer is falling and is now 1014 as it was 1017 earlier today. We have around 420nm to Opua. Under 500!!!