We are back in some form of communication after having lost our ability to send or receive on board emails upon leaving Opua. Very frustrating but thanks to Jackster, we were able to relay a couple of messages to indicate that all was well.
Having realised that we would not get to Savusavu (Fiji) by Friday, we slowed down and decided to head into Minerva Reef again to wait out the heavy overtime rates that are charged should one arrive out of office hours. We needed the rest anyway as our last night out was rather hideous. Paul had to pull an all-nighter changing or adjusting sails constantly. We'd even dragged a drogue for a while trying to slow ourselves down in rather rough seas.
We dropped anchor on Thursday morning in very windy conditions but well protected behind the reef here in Minerva North, made something to eat then dropped into bed for a well-deserved rest. After a few hours, we got up again, made something more to eat then dropped into bed again and slept like the proverbial logs 'til morning. Amazing what a good sleep can do to make the world feel right again.
On the fishing front, we managed to catch a smallish dorado (mahi mahi) on the way up which has given us a couple of excellent meals and are hoping to catch something on our way out of the reef when we leave. It's more than wonderful to have fresh fish again, something we missed terribly while in New Zealand, not because of the lack of fish there but, apart from a few small snapper, we were never out enough to drag lines and the fish in the supermarkets were priced beyond a joke. We were so successful in Fiji last year and can only pray the same will be the case this time around.
We hope to leave here again tomorrow morning (Sunday) and, depending on winds, will take us three to four days to get to Savusavu. We'll keep in touch if and when we can get a connection through our HF radio.
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