We spent 5 days anchored in North Minerva Reef, a unique and very special place.  Having sailed 250 n.m. closer to New Zealand, we were able to relax and wait for a more accurate weather forecast for the trip south.  We were in good company and there was a reconvening of yachts anchored off Pangaimotu, Tonga.  So we had a pot luck dinner and a beach party (yes, there was a small but perfectly formed beach across the lagoon at low water) with friends from Oceanna, Saraoni, Escape Velocity, Zara and Karie-L.

We decided to wait for a trough to pass over the area before setting off and this arrived bang on forecast bringing strong winds in the mid-20s, gusting 30 knots and rain.  This trough heralded excellent sailing conditions for the passage south and the following morning it was time to move on.

A Google Earth image of North Minerva Reef and our track heading in:

Hunter gatherer Greg from sv Oceanna:

A very social time was had:

The New Zealand Air Force plane Orion introduces itself:

A very special beach party:

And what a sunset…: