I'm pleased that you approve, David. With the lazarette painted with shiny paint, there will be added reason for condensation to form. I suspect it will still be an issue, but I don't think it will cause any problems, though I dare say it may form pools in one or two places. However, while I am still flexible, I can reach just about every part of it to clean.
I think the cockpit is working out as an good all-round design. If i stay around NZ, I doubt I'll be out in much rough weather, but it is nice to keep the option and make the boat suitable for offshore conditions. And one can always get caught out.
As for the meths, while I can go into any village store and buy a litre, I don't want all the packaging. I can take my 20l containers into Wynn Fraser and they will fill them with either meths or ethanol. However, I don't want to be coming in and out of Whangarei every few weeks. I actually will have 80 litres on board, but judging by past consumption, that will only last me for just over 6 months. I must do a lot more cooking than you do! But it will be nice to be independent of the city for months on end.