Day 230 Arriving at our ultimate destination

We measured the distance yet to go and decided if we motored with full sail, we might make Opua before the customs, immigration and quarantine closed for the day at 1800. Throughout the day, the wind varied from none to 10 to 15 knots and from the south to the southwest. Sometimes we were surfing along at over 9 knots and at other times we were pushing against the wind at less than 4. By the time we tied up to the quarantine dock it was 1815 and we had missed the opportunity to check in. This meant that we would have to stay on the boat until tomorrow and our dreams of a steak dinner and a beer were replaced by rice, spam and water – not an adequate substitute.