Yes, we past all the islands and rocks to the north of New Zealand and turned the corner for home at 0550 today, so now it really is Australia here we come.

If you want to follow our track and haven't tried yet, just go the right hand side of the blog page and click on current position. This chart tracks our trip when we input our latitude and longitude. We just type away on a sailmail email putting all the correct codes in, and push the button and a computer sets everything out on the blog page for us. Except for times when human error intervenes and the codes aren't put in the correct place and oooppsii the posting doesn't get done, like yesterday. You can also follow the instructions if you have Google Earth on you computer and you can actually see our live position, neat isn't it! If we had satellite communication on board we could also post the pictures at the same time. Unfortunately, we don't so we have to wait till we get to land and get wi-fi coverage to do that.

The trip is going well, we're averaging about 6.5 - 7 knots, wind is from the NE at about 15 - 20 knots at times, with a 2 metre swell, "Volare" is still moving along nicely on a beam reach. We move between having one to two reefs in the main and the genoa furled in depending on the breeze. Captain Greg doesn't like to over extend the boat, especially in confused, cross seas. We could sail a lot faster if we put more sail out but no use over extending the boat and making it a lot less comfortable for the crew. So we're pretty snug, except now and again when we go over a big undersea trench and we notice the sea gets a lot more confused and choppy.

Current ETA into Newcastle (where we will clear customs) is next Thursday, 20th Dec, but this will be updated as we get closer. We'll have a quick stopover, change of crew, my Dad 80 year old Harry Parsons (nearly 81) is going to do the last leg into Sydney with us. After all, he is one of the reasons why sailing is in our blood. Dad has done about 5 Hobart's in his days and sailed many thousands of miles himself. For the intrepid sailors or motor boat people amongst you, Dad may have even rescued, towed or taken your position when he was on watch at the Sydney South Head Coast Guard Station, as he was very involved in Coast Guard Sydney for approx 6 years and Commodore of the Sydney Flotilla for the last few of those years, until last year when he switched from the Coast Guard to his new passion, Bowls. #

---------- radio email processed by SailMail for information see: http://www.sailmail.com