19:15.760 S 174:11.110 E

22/10/09   12:00

Having cleverly placed ourselves near the pass for a quick departure we retraced out steps a few miles to get a final internet 3G connection and headed off midday.  Fiji spit us out through the pass at 9 knots into 25-30 knots wind from the South. After a  couple of hours beating the wind no longer influenced by the land mass became the advertised South East and settled in just forward of the bean.  The strength however was much more than expected.   It has moderated a little today closer to 20 knots but the sea is still up.  Its is sunny today and we’re making  good progress.  201 miles in the  first 24 and 470 to go.

I will try to send this via Iridium.  Fingers crossed.