[p]beale12.4
[s]
pos: 26 29.7s 175 15.2e
Date: 06/10/2017 17:00 gmt+12:00
Bye bye Tropics.
We are sailing through a big empty sea and sky in the mid latitudes now. The air temperature is cooling, but the whole scene is breathtakingly lovely. We had a very brisk start out of Fiji, but have now settled into gentle trade wind sailing in the sub-tropical zone. 12 to 15 knots, calm seas, rain squalls on the horizon to keep us alert. It is lovely sailing, if not quite as fast as the first 24 hours. The sea state is now gentle and small, Manutaki has a gentle gliding motion with just the occasional slap of sea water on the dodger to remind you where you are.
Which is close to half way home. We have done around 580 miles and have approximately 620 to go to Auckland.
A highlight last night was a drag race with an Oyster 57 sailing to NZ. I don't think they knew we were racing, however, because they furled their big genoa at dusk, and we slid past them in the night. Probably the only way we were ever going to win that race I guess.
There are 3 other kiwi boats heading home about now as well. Mahia and Riada 100 miles ahead, Yinka 30 behind. Of course, it's not a race!
We are in a very comfortable routine now. 3 hours on, 6 off, eating as much as we can rather than throw it all away at bio-security in New Zealand.
Sadly, no fish yet, but still trying.
It's very elemental out here. Wind and sea and rain. Food. Comfortable companionable conversation in the daytime cockpit, a peaceful and serene full moon lighting the way at night. Last night was the brightest I can ever remember.
We are currently sailing directly into a big rain squall, so I better put on a jacket and sort it out.
Bye for now from Manutaki.

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