We are perfecting our techniques for sailing downwind, having spent 5 years close hauled with the wind on the nose! We are in the company of Heather and Mike on board Calypso having met up with them in the Bay of Islands on Tuesday evening. We have had a really good time with them, sailing, exploring, swimming and walking around the many beaches and coves of the Bay of Islands. One of the highlights was exploring a cave on Waewaetorea Island. Simon had been through it before with the Spirit team and so dropped Heather, Mike and I on shore, showing us to a tiny cave entrance over a grassy knoll and under a tree. We squeezed into the narrow entrance and were soon in pitch darkness. The sounds of the waves booming and splooshing around us were quickly drowned out by our squeals as were were washed off our feet, backwards on top of each other and then whooshed around the corner, where we could see some daylight. Swimming was hard, as sometimes you were going forward, sometimes backwards and sometimes managing just to keep in the same spot! Simon took the tender round to meet us at the far side and after some amazing snorkeling, headed back to our respective boats for a shower before the Calypso crew joined us for a curry night! Yesterday, we rounded Cape Brett, visiting the Hole in the Rock and sailed down to Whangamumu, an old whaling station. We had a peaceful night there, having had yummy mince and tatties on board Calypso. Today we are heading to Tutukaka, where we have booked a night in the marina to get fuel, water and do some much needed laundry. Our aim is to keep heading south to Auckland and spend a few days exploring the Hauraki Gulf. Will keep you posted! Thanks for the comments...we are really enjoying them.