[password] pilot25041
[position] 23 39.6s 178 54.3w
[status] Wednesday 17th October late morning & we're still safely anchored in Minerva reef along with 10 other boats after another 2 arrived yesterday morning. The wind has continued howling since we got here, at times gusting up to 30kts, hence everyone hunkered down and no one moving from their boats!

On Monday we got a couple of loads of washing done and since then we've achieved 'not a lot', we've ate very well ....... including eating the last of Pam's sirloin steak for dinner last night ....... "I didn't realise you could eat so well on a boat" said Tony, whilst Anahera made a chocolate, date & almond cake yesterday....... all absolutely delicious, so we're all well rested now ready for any challenges ahead.

Allan has confirmation that there's room for us at Whangarei where we 'plan' to make landfall for our Customs & Biosecurity clearances, the only issue could be the 3day holiday weekend due to Labour Day next Monday. Once this is completed then next stop is Gulf Harbour ready for haul out and underwater repairs /other boat maintenance, as there are now quite a few jobs on the 'To Do' list, but generally Surreal has stood up well to the challenges posed on what will have been a 6mth and circa 8000nm voyage by the time we get back to NZ!

The gribs now indicate the wind easing this afternoon, and although decreasing further over the next few days, it looks like it is forecast to be in a favourable direction the whole way and hence the sea should be fairly flat, so hopefully a fairly comfortable last leg for the crew!

Position 07.00nzt.

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