Day 104 I was up at 6 in the morning finishing my passage planning from Ship Cove to Wellington. Day opens gloriously sunny. We headed towards Cook Straight leaving Queen Charlotte Sound behind. As we came clear off Cook Rock, Lord Nelson changed course south and set both topsails and outer jib. When I took my watch at 12 30 p. m. ship's speed was attaining 10 knots and wind was gusting up to 45 knots! Luckily in this part of Cooks Strait I would still describe sea state as moderate to rough. Lord Nelson was sailing briskly in bright sun, whistling wind and across almost turquoise water. Once ship turned towards Wellington Harbour entrance we were head to the wind and speed dropped to about 3 knots. Although closer to the land the more shelter we gained. Eventually we came safely port side alongside to the Queens Wharf in Wellington.
