[password] pilot25041
[position] 25 31.2s 151 36.1w
[status] apologies to our regular readers ....... we wrote & sent the blog yesterday, but it appears somewhere between; ipad, iridium & yachts in transit website it has disappeared forever!

Anyhow, we are now sailing (as we have been for the last 3days) with 3 reefs in the main and a pocket handkerchief for a headsail, still sailing at 50-60 AWA, making 6kts in wind 25-35kts, with at times a 4m swell / breaking waves, after 10days consecutively hard on the wind the fun is definitely starting wane. We have also 'hove to' the last 2 evenings for dinner, after the cook came fairly close to 'losing it'!

Our previous target of getting to Raivavae before dark on Wed (nzst) won't now be possible, even with only 230 miles to go, we should arrive during darkness and plan to hold off until daybreak on Thursday (or Wed Tahiti time) to go through the reef channel and anchor for a well earned rest.

Our onshore spy provides us with a regular update on Pzazz from their blog, yesterday we were pleased to find out that we were some 50nm closer to our destination than they were, however, overnight we have now heard they have a problem with their steering wheel bearing - needing to steer via the emergency tiller. All on board Surreal wish them a safe passage to Raivavae as it will no doubt be a trying time for them.

We are all in fine spirits but tired from the constant pounding / washing machine motion. The good yacht Surreal II is taking everything the seas throw at us and keeping us all safe, hopefully less than 2days to a cold beer and peaceful nights rest!
Nothing exciting for dinner yesterday, just simple: sausage, egg, chips & beans ........ delicious!!
Position 09.00 nzst. 142nm run in 24hrs.
[speed] 6.2kts
[heading] 050T
[weather] wind 25knts ESE, 3m+ swells from both the E, overcast & 100% cloud cover.

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