We had a good sail to Minerva Reef and it took us two and half days to get there from Nuku'alofa. In the end we had to motor some of the time to increase our boat speed so we could arrive before dark. It was funny to see masts in the distance just sitting in the ocean and as we got closer we could see the reef. The pass was easy to enter and when we arrived the weather was very calm, unlike a few hours earlier where we had rain and some squally wind. As soon as we entered the lagoon, we were amazed at how flat the sea was and it looked like a big mirror in the ocean. It was beautiful! We had the anchor down by 5:30pm Friday and enjoyed a drink watching the sunset later than it has been, as we are heading south.

There were 8 boats in the lagoon and we made up the ninth boat. The lagoon is large and could fit lots of boats. The water is reasonably deep, as we anchored in 50 feet. There was such an eerie feeling about being here as we both said how quiet is was. There was no sound and it was so peaceful. As it was so calm, even the waves were very quiet. We were both tired from the passage and had a night relaxing watching a movie, although I think Neil missed bits of it asleep.

Ray on Lionheart went for a snorkel to clean the underside of his boat and got a scare when a grey shark brushed past his leg. Ilona and I went in the water for a quick swim, but didn't see anything. Neil went for a snorkel to do a final clean of the hull and didn't see sharks but saw a lot of other fish. Lufi caught a fish coming through the pass and we were told you could catch a fish with a blunt spoon going through the pass, it's that easy.

Last night, I helped a boat enter the pass, something we would be worried about doing, by giving them waypoints we had placed along our route. They were very appreciative of the help, as they didn't want to heave to outside the pass for the night. I waited up until 11 pm for them to arrive and spoke to them on the radio before they entered the pass. All went well and they anchored safely. They decided to leave today, and I am starting to think they might have chosen the best time.

We have been in radio contact with the other boats around us, regarding weather reports from Bob and Dave. They have conflicting views as yesterday Dave said leave Wednesday, while Bob said leave Sunday and that maybe Monday or Tuesday might be ok. Today, we got another update from both people. Dave said he is not happy with what he can see on the weather grib files and to hold off until he has another look on Monday. While Bob said we definitely need to leave Sunday now, as Monday would be too late and we have to arrive by next Sunday before the big front now expected on Monday/Tuesday 14/15 Nov. He also said that after this big front there is going to be a big SW swell that will extend all the way to Minerva and then we would not be able to leave until after November 18. Well today is the 5th and so that would mean waiting here for a couple of weeks. The only problem with leaving tomorrow is that tomorrow will be pretty windy, then we go into the wind the following day, so we will have to sail NW for a day (opposite direction as NZ is south, not north), then we will have at least two days of no wind and so motoring at 5 knots, but the worst is next Saturday we will probably get blasted by a front as we get within the last 100 miles close to NZ. Not as big a front as the big one predicted for Monday though. Unfortunately, we can't get to NZ by Friday. So the weather doesn't look flash, but if we wait here for a couple of weeks, we have no idea of what comes next, and if it is better or worse. There was also the possibility of a cyclone developing and that could change everything as well. So lots of weather chatting and decision making to do for everyone here at Minerva. At this stage it looks like 5 of us are leaving tomorrow. One boat might leave Monday, but they are a big cat and can get there the same day as us if they left Monday/Tuesday. There are two solo sailors on little boats 27 and 28 feet. One of them had to get towed into the lagoon by the other solo sailor, as his engine is not working. I am not sure what is wrong, but I hope he can get it working soon, as an engine is very helpful on the passage to NZ.

Neil has nicknamed Minerva reef to Minervous Reef, as we are all nervous about what will lay ahead. We have also been told to have our warm clothes ready as the weather turns cold quiet quickly as we head south and leave the tropics behind. Even swimming in the lagoon today, I thought the water was cold, but definitely nothing like NZ water.

Tonight, I was the radio net controller for the first time as Ilona asked if I could fill in for her. I was a bit worried about being able to hear and record everything down, but it was ok. It was good to hear that a few boats were only within 20 nmiles of NZ including Vagabond and I was very pleased to hear that Out of the Bag had arrived in NZ and feeling really good to be there. After the net, Ilona and Franz came over to our boat for final drink before both of our boats head off tomorrow. They are following the same route, as they also have the weather info from Bob.

So, we have had dinner and after writing this blog, I will head off to bed, not sure how much sleep I will get. Neil is reading and trying to relax at the moment, but I know inside he is very anxious about the trip. We plotted waypoints sent to us from Bob as a guide and recorded in our book all his weather info for the next week. Not much else to do and I think we are as prepared, as we will ever be.