[p]beale12.4
[s]
pos: 20 14.9s 175 34.5w
Date: 30/05/2017 13:00 gmt+1300
Beautiful, beautiful sailing! 10-15 knots, trade winds, reaching across azure seas under blue skies.
All very happy on board.
Lost another lure today with a big fish hitting and ripping the trace off, so no more tuna today. The tuna has been fantastic; tuna steaks yesterday absolutely delicious.
We had a bit of excitement last night on the midnight to 3am watch - we saw our first other vessels; fishing boats. One passed within half a mile and we had a brief chat on the vhf.
Then today we spotted land around noon - our first sight of islands in the Ha'Apai group.
Bas is excelling himself in the galley. Fresh coleslaw in the making. Food has been excellent since we have had this light weather sailing.
This is the pacific offshore dream, real. The rumpty passage to Minerva rewarded with interest.
Our timing is a bit late to make it through the reefs before nightfall, so we are going to be cautious and heave to for a while tonight, then approach at first light. Another new experience, we'll see how that goes.
Signing out for now, we'll be in touch again from Tonga.[END]