Whangarei, NZ

Planned departure from Denarau on Monday 20/11/17 as soon as I'm finished with the officials.

Kadavu, Fiji

In Matuku, Fiji

Namuka, Fiji

Yagasa, Fiji

Ravi-Ravi (Hidden Lagoon), Vanua Balavu, Fiji

Little Bay, Vanua Balavu, Fiji

Bay of Islands, Vanua Balavu, Fiji

In Daliconi,Vanua Balavu, Fiji

In Bavatu Harbour, Vanua Balavu

In Susui, Vanua Balavu

Paradise Resort

In Viani Bay

Arrived at 0300, in bed at 0330. Next is to wait for all the officials to do their thing and get me checked in.

Less than 100 nmi to go. All's well.

Making good progress, ETA predawn Thursday. All's well.

Off to Fiji. All's well.

Will be leaving Minerva Reef tomorrow morning with a Fiji, Savusavu ETA on Thursday.

Made it to Minerva at 0930 this morning. Smooth entry into lagoon under sail. Then 2 hours later I had the Green Monster (aka fishing net) free from the prop and shaft. Now to enjoy myself, all's well.

Today's about the same as yesterday, just less wind. I still haven't seen the sun in days and still haven't put on shorts and T-shirts.

176 nmi to Minerva, I might be able to arrive tomorrow (Sat) but that would require beating to weather. No much fun in that. So I'll take a longer, slower, more comfortable route and arrive on Sunday.

Dropped the sails to check the situation. Green monster is only on prop, not keel. Looks like it'll require lots of work to remove. Winds will be light the rest of the day, stronger tomorrow.

Considering the situation, things aren't going so bad. The wind has kept up, although I'd hope for a better direction, allowing me to make good progress. A cold front is forecasts in two days.

Been better, could be worse. Last night when I started the engine I discovered a fishing net ensnared my propeller. I'm making way under sail and have an ETA to Minerva on Sunday or Monday. I don't anticipate any rough weather for the remainder of this passage.

Wind is easing a little, hope it last another day before I need to turn on engine. All's well.

Sun is out, wind from good direction, wind not too high, wind not too low, but it's still cold. Guess 4 out of 5 isn't bad. All' well.

This post is made the night before I depart NZ. Current plan is to see the customs guy (Bruce) for my 1000 appointment. Word is there will be 20 boats leaving Marsden tomorrow, each has an appointment every 15 minutes. The forecast has remained consistent and I expect light winds for my departure, lighter winds a few days out, then building wind as I approach Minerva Reef. If I make real good time the passage should take 5 days, but I'm planning on 6. If it takes more than 7 days then something didn't go according to plan.