We had a tough night, last night. The trade winds became more and more powerful until they were averaging between 30 and 40 knots. We even saw some wind speeds up to 50 knots. Luckily we had got our third reef in about an hour before they got really bad. However, the winds whipped up a rough sea, and the noise of the wind was quite scary. We went for an instant meal which proved surprising tasty a backpackers Thai curry, perfect. Once we had secured items which we normally don't need to we sat the gale out to a reading the HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy. Somehow the Vogons destroying Earth seemed kind of appropriate.

This morning the winds have dropped back to 25 knots which seems mild by comparison but the sea is still very rough. Our new mainsail did very well the third reef once we had managed to get it in slowed us down really well and made the storm manageable. We are now moving along quite fast at about 7 knots with the second reef in. The trip from New zealand is at best a beam reach. On this occasion we have been sailing into wind which accentuates the bumpiness of the trip.

This morning we had to do some instant repairs. A couple of securing nuts had disappeared from the mainsheet cars, resulting in the loss of a pin. But after some tricky work the sails are up and working again, and we are on schedule for a Sunday arrival in Savu Savu.

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