[password]8Tarnhows
[position]20 31.75s 174 77.38w
[weather]nne winds 10-15kt, slight seas, cloud 2-3/8 Sc, 26 degrees Celsius.
[status]Hello to all you beautiful people,
Today we have left the Tongatapu, or southern Tongan island group, and we are motor sailing north towards Nomuka in the very south of the Ha?apai, or central Tongan island group.
The weather is pleasant and our new crew members Bob and Pete seem to be coping with the cultural adjustment of this demanding life.
Flying fish are plentiful but that?s about all we are seeing, apart from Islands and the occasional surf breaking on reefs along the way. We have been sailing on the eastern (seaward) side of the archipelago and a long barrier reef or a series of atoll reefs has continued north, paralleling our northerly route, for much of the way.
However, as we are now between the groups and in deeper waters there is no more surf and we have the fishing line out hoping for mahi mahi, tuna, Spanish mackerel or perhaps a swordfish.
We have decided we will take shelter tonight in the lee of an unnamed small island just south of Nomuka and all going well we expect to be secure there an hour or so before dark.
Must go now, lunchtime is calling.
Until we chat again, regards from
Jim, Pete, Bob and Bill (scribe)
STOP PRESS adventurers? luncheon disturbed as tuna jumps on to skipper?s line.
Tuna for dinner tonight.

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