We were hoping to be at least half way to Fiji right now, but we're not! We're still right here in our rainy, freezing cold anchorage in Opua. (Uh-oh, that sounds a bit whiney, huh?!!!) It seems the New Zealand Custom's department has taken an interest in our battery charger and although we had been told on Thursday it had been released and was on its way, we found out on Friday it was not only still at Customs, but that they needed more forms faxed to them from the store we ordered it through. Ugh! The only reason we're not too upset about the whole thing is that the weather has been so bad, there was no way we could leave anyhow. So for now, we keep on waiting. Glen (pronounced Gleen here) from Cater Marine, the chandlery (marine store) we have bought a lot of stuff from while here, assures us it should get here Monday afternoon. It is looking like there may be a break in the weather and a good opportunity to get underway on Wednesday, so we're sure hoping he is right.

I realized after our last entry, I forgot to mention a few wonderful things... When we got back to Opua from our trip out to Great Barrier Island, there was a nice package waiting for us from our dear friends Andy and Arlene. Not only did it have some Easter chocolate in it (YUM!), it had lots of new pictures of our little Penny and her "boyfriend" Buster, their lovely new home (its so nice to see where Penny is living now), and the cutest baby elephants from the WAP. The best thing though (sorry Penny!), was a real handwritten letter. It seems like its been forever since receiving a real letter - and that's even way before leaving on this trip! It was really nice and made us realize how seeing someone's words in their own writing is such a rare thing nowadays. Anyhow, thank you again Andy and Arlene - and everyone pretend that you are reading this entry in my own personal scrawl! :)

Something else we wanted to share is a video tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. This has probably already been a big deal back in the States, but we just heard about it and had the chance to see it. It sends chills through me every time I watch it. I was lucky enough to get to see the Van Gogh exhibition when it was in L.A. Whoever thought to combine the stunning artwork with the tribute song by Don McLean was brilliant. Anyhow, if you haven't already seen it, the address is... youtube.com/watch?v=3DXemweIAvi8Q

I was able to finish putting our NZ pictures on the gallery when we got back and just today added a few more of Glen and I with our new "make overs!" It started with Glen shaving, and I'm still not quite sure what I was thinking when short hair seemed like a good idea! The good thing is, I have over a year for it to grow before getting home!

The picture for this entry is of Glen replacing light bulbs on the spreaders and installing baggy winkles (thingies to help keep the sail from chaffing on the rigging). They were a hand-made Christmas present from our friends on Orca III (thanks again you guys!). It always makes me so nervous to hoist Glen up the mast, but the winds had finally calmed for a while and he was excited to get them hung up. We have been following Orca III progress on their trip home - they had 3 weeks of pretty rough weather getting to the Austral Islands which caused some minor damage to the boat and some major un-comfort to the crew. They were very happy to get in and anchored and will be back in Tahiti in a few days.

To make up for the provisions we have been using while waiting, we ended up renting a car and going back to Pahia, Kerikeri, and Whangarei for more shopping. Glen was just thrilled! :) At least we've had plenty of time to use up most of our pork products - brats tonight and beans with a nice ham hock tomorrow should just about do it except for the bacon! It's still amazing to us all that they are confiscating pork in Fiji, but when in Rome....! I should mention we bought a few more days of internet - we had run out for awhile, but its back up, so if you want to use the yahoo address, it should work until next Tuesday. Our phone is still working here (we had to add a few more dollars to it also!) and depending on how much the sim card and minutes cost when we get to Fiji, we may have it there as well. It has been so nice to hear so many familiar voices - thanks to all who have called. A big thanks to Pete, also, for solving our mystery photo issue - those must be some humongous wind generators!

Some sad news... we were so sorry to hear that our friend Jean (Ray's wife) lost her sister to stomach cancer and a WA friend, Linda, just lost her father. There's never anything "right" to say at these times, but is another reminder for us all to make every day count.