The finale of the Volvo preparations in Viaduct Marina, Auckland was of course the boats crossing the finishing line in the harbour on the most recent leg of the Ocean race from Hong Kong. We had been closely tracking their progress from Safiya and were hoping that they would arrive in daylight. Sods law meant that they were due to arrive in the early hours of last Wednesday morning. I decided it wasn't worth missing a nights sleep (!), but Harvey was determined to watch them cross the finish line. He managed to talk his way onto the large offshore Coastguard rib that was guarding the line. He was the only spectator on board and was even served coffee and biscuits!

Judging by the photos it was quite a spectacle as they came barrelling into the harbour. After 6300 miles and 19 days at sea it was amazing the the first two boats were just 2 minutes apart and all five of the leadng boats arrived within 25 minutes of each other. The coastguard boat dropped Harvey back into the Volvo inner sanctum where family and friends and the press were waiting to greet the racers. There was quite a celebration that went on most of the night which we could hear from Safiya just 100 meters away. The next day the boats were taken out of the water, the rigs removed and a major refit and repair job started ready for the next leg to Brazil through the roaring 40's. Having seen the inside of the boat and the conditions that the sailors live in I will never complain about life on board Safiya again. One toilet between 10 or so people, no shower, four bunks (they take it in turn to sleep) and only rehydrated food to eat. We live in luxury by comparison! 

Cyclone Gita passed through eventually and was a bit of an anti climax with just one aternoon of high winds, although it hit the South island of New Zealand quite badly.

We took delivery of our new dinghy which had been repaced under warranty by the manufacturer. With the dinghy safely stowed and all other jobs completed, after nearly a month in Auckland we were ready to depart to go North to the Bay of Islands. We had a very lively sail up the coast, stopping at anchorages overnight and after two day sails we rounded Cape Brett and headed into the Bay of Islands which has really got to be seen from the water to fully appreciate its beauty. 144 tiny islands dotted around, white sand beaches and sparkling clear, blue seas. On the day the Queen Mary docked in the bay.

We are looking forward to our friends Maggie and Andy Telford joining us shortly for a couple of weeks to explore and cruise the islands.