# 31 Rough passage to Bundaberg

We had a rough last passage from Vanuatu to Bundaberg. Within 24hrs of leaving Port Vila we were caught in a 35-46 knot storm that lasted all night. Seas were 4 - 6m! There was spray everywhere (including in the boat!). This then calmed down to mid 30's and eventually to 20 - 25 knots. We then had about 36 hours of nice conditions. In the first two days we averaged 160nm per day.

As we approached Observatory Cay the wind went to the NE. This meant we could not anchor there for a rest. We sailed past the cay and as we got into open water again the heavens opened up with rain, thunder and lightening. the wind went N, NW, W and then SW. Smack on the nose at 20kn+! After a few hours it went more southerly and we were able to hold our course towards Bundaberg. Next few days had wind from S to SE so we had a bumpy ride. Nani was very sea sick. On Saturday night we sighted the N cardinal light off Fraser Island and on falling winds arrived Bundaberg early Sunday morning.

Our last passage of 1000nm took just under 7 days. Average daily run was 143nm per day!

We cleared in with customs and then had a long, long sleep. We're home!

Many thanks to those sending us emails congratulating us and for Peter McKenzie who came to Bundaberg to greet us.

We are now packing up the boat to be hauled out and stored. We'll be back in Melbourne in a about a week or so.

Thank you for sharing in our 3 year adventure from the Caribbean to Australia.