Last night was the total lunar eclipse. I was lucky enough on my watch that the clouds cleared a bit and I could see the shadow progressing across the moon. However, shortly after that, the clouds hid it, and then it was a very dark night for the next few hours. The darkest night watch either of us have had in a while!

The wind eased a lot, so we ended up motoring and motor-sailing for most of the night. Then the wind returned and we've been making good progress since. The temperature has dropped a bit further, and we're now in long trousers and socks during the day. Wonder how it will be tonight? Thicker jumper perhaps...Its not really that cold, 24degC in the cabin during the day - but we're totally acclimatised to the tropics.

Thoughts are turning to the timing of our arrival. Its likely we'll be in sometime on Saturday night, or early Sunday morning. The wind is easing again now, so we may have to resort to a bit of engine overnight - but after that the wind looks good for the rest of the trip - with 15-20knots from behind for 2 days before turning NW and giving us a broad reach on starboard tack all the way into Whangarei. It would be nice to arrive late on Saturday evening so we get to sleep a full night without watches disturbing things, but as long as we're in on Sunday to get cleared - that is fine too.