Monday turned out to be a slow, relaxing day. We continued motorsailing, using the energy generated to also do laundry and make water on the run. As well as having the opportunity to sit and chat about plans for our Kiwi stay, we are using this downtime to really top up our own batteries in readiness for any potential adverse weather as we approach the NZ coast. Watch keeping really messes with your body clock and even though you do get into a rhythm over the course of a long passage, any additional hiatus is a huge bonus.

Coming out on deck at midnight, I was amazed to see how absolutely calm it was - the ocean was literally like undulating molten glass, our wake being the only ripple on it's surface. The sky was clear and cloudless and the now almost oval moon blazed high above, the centrepiece of a scintillating cosmic display. As there was very little to do other than watch the miles drift by, I spent most of my watch stargazing and looking for satellites passing overhead. There has been no shipping traffic, and I've seen only one plane since leaving the anchorage at Tongatapu - it's truly incredible that we are the only ones out here in this moment witnessing these extraordinary conditions. This cruising life certainly delivers some awesome experiences.

Paul took over at 0400; at sunrise he caught a whisper of strengthening breeze and deployed the headsail. Soon after, the sky clouded over and there was a brief shower. I woke and we enjoyed warm zucchini slice and mugs of tea for breakfast. It's now 0800 and we've managed to cover a further 156NM at an average speed of 6.5 knots - pretty good going with such little wind assistance and periods of counter current. We are past the halfway mark and are pleased to be on track to meet our ETA.

All well onboard.