Today we've done more sailing than expected, given the circuitous path we have followed around the 3 Kings Island group which is directly north of the North Island. A 220m cargo ship in front of us early this morning took the short cut between the 3 Kings and the North Island, however we didn't have the same luxury as even under motor the winds would have been too strong in front. Anyway we are now making good progress and about to start the final track down the eastern seaboard of the North Island towards Opua, where we should arrive around 3pm tomorrow (30 Dec). We have our Q (Quarantine) Flag flying, which signals to other vessels that we are in NZ waters but not yet officially cleared. Everything is going well, Parms has just put a giant lamb roast in the oven, we had roast chicken for lunch and Whitey is keeping watch (and giving us the same tunes on the ukelele on repeat). There is no way we will get through our remaining meat and fresh veggies before Customs trash it all tomorrow but we've given it a good shot! Just waiting for our phones to pick up reception again, but as Andrew pointed out if you sailed into Australian waters around Cape York from the north, which is effectively what we are doing, then you'd be waiting a while before you get anything from Telstra etc. Let's hope NZ have got their act together a bit better than we do!



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