[password]8Tarnhows
[position]21 02.8s 175 15.7w
[weather]strong wind warning Tongan waters, heavy rain, poor visibility.
[status]Good morning one and all,
The Bay of Islands, NZ, to Tongatapu Island, Tonga, an eight day voyage including one beautiful day at South Minerva Reef.
We had a glorious first six days sailing and a not so glorious last two. In particular, the last 30 hours were initially spent motoring into a stiff 20-25 kt nor-easterly breeze, followed by a gusty reach toward the end. But, Huey had more in store for us; conditions deteriorated to winds gusting 40 kt with heavy rain showers. Most unpleasant, especially in the dark of night.
As a prelude to this unseasonal tropical depression developing we saw a waterspout, which in hindsight was an indicator of the unstable atmosphere.
However, not to be deterred the gallant crew of Ambler II manoeuvred her at first light through the channel and in to a safe anchorage at Atapa Island, part of Tongatapu.
Some might say ?well done those men?. We simply take it in our modest stride.
We have made contact with the authorities who understandably are allowing us to stay here until the conditions abate and we can comfortably enter Nuku?alofa harbour.
I did forget to say that the Skipper caught a 2m shark at Minerva. We believe it was a Long Nosed Grey Shark and in the interests of the environment we let it go.
We have seen quite a lot of small flying fish along the way with two of them flying aboard; one was alive and we rejoined him/her with the school, the other unfortunate individual had a bad case of rigor mortis and was buried at sea.
I?m now struggling to not enter the realm of verbal garbage.
May I leave you with the same:
thinking of you all, always,
Jim, Steve, Tim and Bill(scribe)

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