Monday 16th, May

We are all well aboard and we are making good progress
toward Fiji with about 190 miles made for the past 24
hours. We have less than 600 miles to and should get in
on Friday local time.
Current position is 28 03 S, 177 36E
We are on course of 350 M at 7.5 kts.
Wind speed 15 kts from the SW. 

Sunday 15th May

The day was quiet yesterday and we had to motorsail
from 1000Huntil about 1800H and then the wind began
to build to 20 knots again and we were sailing once 
more. We are only about 45degrees off the wind and
the ride has been a little  bumpy. The weather is
already warmer and I hope will continue to do
so. We all have our sea legs now and enjoyed a
dinner of pasta and sauce last night. We  expect 20
knots of wind for the next 36 hours at least and it
should back to the west and then south west giving
us a down wind ride which will be more comfortable.
Position at 0600H May 15
local time is 31 08S, 176 02E
Speed 7.2 kts course 19  M,
wind speed 22kts direction NW.
Next report this time am

Saturday 14th May

We are doing much better. Winds are less and the
seas have got quieter.
Current  position is 33 10S, 174 43E
Speed 6.5 kts under full sail
Course 357 M Wind is  13 kts from the NW
Sea state still lumpy but less.
Still cold but that will  change soon

Friday 13th May

News from Callisto:

We are at sea again after many months and it looks
like I've lost my sea legs. Terry and I lost our
lunches and the only one who remains well!
Sea is very confused and lumpy.
Position at 0905H UMT is 34 23S 174 28E
course 356 speed 7.0 kts.
wind is 20 kts from the NW
57 miles run 1047 to go

Opua, New Zealand

We are playing the weather waiting game. Many boats left on Saturday and Sunday and are now getting bashed up by two frontal systems that are moving through northern New Zealand right now. It's blowing 25 kts from the north in the marina as we speak and raining hard so I'm not going any where for a day or two.
Monday was a beautiful day and we rented a car and did some more provisioning and took the Admiral for her Mother's day Spa experience, which I'm told she enjoyed and that she is still feeling relaxed. We took a ride over to KeriKeri and had lunch and picked up our new crew Terry from Pahia. He had a long journey from southern California and he is looking forward to going to sea and getting to Fiji, as am I.
The weather is looking good now for Friday morning and even though it's a Friday and the 13th we are going any way. I leave you with some photos of Opua and our ride up to here.

leaving Whangarei at last

Whangarei in the morning fog
Town Dock, Russell
Cape Brett pronounced Cape Britt in new Zealandese

Bay of Islands
Haruru Falls, Pahia
Opua Marina

Downtown Russell

Pleasant anchorage at Whangamumu, old whaling station and waterfall

Anchorage at Tutukaka

Opua, New Zealand

We are safely berthed in the marina in Opua after a pleasant and calm trip up the coast and into the Bay of Islands. We had dinner with many of our old friends from Tahiti and Tonga and we made some new ones.
Many boats are leaving for Fiji today and tomorrow but we will wait for Terry on Monday and keep our eyes glued to the forecast for the next weather window north.
I'm ready for some warm weather!

Tutukaka, New Zealand

We finally broke free of the dock in Whangarei and we are anchored up in the harbor in Tutukaka. The weather wasn't so good with 15 kt headwinds and squally thunder showers. The anchorage is a little rolly but it's good to be out of the marina at last.
Next stop Whangamumu and then Opua by Friday