Not trusting the moorings any more on 1st September I left Palmerston in light winds to sail the 300 odd miles to Beveridge Reef, an anchorage literally in the middle of nowhere. 80% of the reef is under water and at one mile off I still cannot see it. Eventually some shows by breaking swell and I sail along the south side (well, where I think the south side is) and then turn north to find the pass on the west side. Identification is difficult and I sail about for quite a while until I am sure of where I am. Pilotage without any landmarks is interesting! I suddenly hit soundings – the water has been 3,000 metres deep. In a space of 100 yards the depth goes 150 metres, 100 metres' 25 metres, 7 metres and then 10 metres meaning I am through. I sail gently the last 1.25 miles to the other side of the lagoon and anchor in pure sand in just 4 metres of crystal clear water. I am the only boat here in a swimming pool 3 miles by 2. Time for a rum.

 

This is one worth looking at on Google Earth. No photographs as there is nothing to photograph.

 

Next day is calm and sunny. I swim, snorkel and do outside work. Little Dolphin of Leith appears on the other side of the reef and spends a couple of hours working her way around but anchors just south of the reef pass more than a mile away. At least I will not have to hear her screaming children!

 

Next day is wet and windy. Time for inside jobs and book reading.

 

With an good forecast I leave the next morning and have a very bumpy exit with three knots of current against wind but am soon clear and sailing fast until 9 hours later I switch on the technology and discover that I have 1.3 knots of current against me!

 

Such is sailing.... and when I get to Niue there is a very sad sailing story waiting for me...