Position 18:49.418S 160:12.29E

The sun is shining, the wind and sea are calming down and we have opened the hatch for the first time in two days.

Oh the joys of sailing !

We have been averaging 9 knots with very little sail up and today we ventured out on deck to put up the twistle rig, a good decision as the wind has decreased and is right behind us now.

Mark had a shower and a shave for the first time since leaving port on Monday, I still couldn’t find the energy so I am keeping that pleasure till tomorrow.

We have been clearing out our food cupboards this afternoon to dispose of anything that is not allowed into Australia ( there is a very long list of quarantined items).

Next job to tackle will be the freezer which still has plenty of meat from Panama to ‘use or lose’.

It has been good to have the radio net every day – it is reassuring to know that all the other rally yachts are also having to cope with the bad weather and are still remaining cheerful !