OK looks like we have a window after a long wait here in Whangarei. Although we love it here and we could stay and enjoy all that NZ
has to offer which is a lot, it is time to get back on the Sea and let the TRAIN stretch her legs a little with that new mainsail. Weather
looks light to start then some head winds and pretty steady trades after that. In all a pretty fair outlook but as always things can change
out there and we will adapt. Weather here in NZ has cooled off after a record warm trend with temps much like Vancouver has had of
late, not bad for winter down South. But with lows at night getting into single digits now, time to go. Our visa's expire on the 17th, our
anniversary as well, so this is an opportune time to git.

There are at least four of us departing Monday on what looks like the last window for a while and that is about the end of the departing
fleet for the season. Looking fwd to getting into the warm waters, dragging a line and working our way North So far plan is to head for
Tonga, then Samoa and see how weather is shaping up and our timing is and we may well head for Hawaii and North for home, or,
directly North from Samoa and over the high and run like hell down wind for the barn or just hang around where it is warm and see what
grabs our interest and just drift along wherever the wind and impulse takes us. So as plans go that is about as good as a cruising itinerary
can get considering all the options and variables to contend with and our very open schedule and as they say out here all plans are
written in in the sand at low tide and so are subject to being washed clean on the next tide. Also it is good to have a plan, that way you
can change it! Once at sea we will post updates along the way and will also post updates and position reports on YIT which allows the
arm chair sailors to follow us on google maps and visualize where we are, very cool.

Back to preparations, check lists, stowing, checking some more, stowing some more and then checking all that, early to bed as tomorrow
the watch schedule begins and we get back into the rhythm of on and off watch and acclimatize to the motion of being aboard a yacht at
sea. Easy stuff!