[p]beale12.4
[s]
pos: 34 32.45 S 174 35.26 E
date: 20/5/2017 GMT+1300

Good evening everybody - tonight's blog comes to you from 3rd class seaman Jeff... (hoping to get promoted by volunteering to write this )

So we headed out today with a fleet of 16 other yachts.

We're currently about 50 nm (90 kms) from Opua, heading about 30 degrees and aimed at Minerva Reef. We went out on the back of the low that's causing some crappy weather in NOrthland so the seas a bit rock and roll at the moment but will ease tomorrow afternoon. With a good 20-30 knot wind, It's meant we're averaging over 8 knots which is great and will be sailing into smoother water.

Alls good below decks and I've decided that using the head in a lumpy sea should be made into an Olympics sport...

Thanks Jo for the filled rolls - it would have been interesting trying to prepare those ourselves

Manutaki is a fine ship and is well prepared so apart from a bit of early queasiness amongst some of the crew we're all good and pleased to be on the move.

Jeff
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