out through the reef

Coordinates: 18 36 S 159 56 W
Bearing: 319 M
Boat Speed: 5.5
Wind Direction: east
Wind Strength:11
Sea state: 1 m swell

Crew health: great

Fish caught: not yet

Other points of interest:
up early to get some last fruit items at the local market at 6.30 am then readying for sea

We had to wait for a French keeler to leave first since we were trapped up a corner of the small harbour
Unfortunately their engine started belching out smoke and oil and they pulled over to the warf. We hope it is fixable otherwise they will have to sail to NZ with no engine

We were lucky - no cloud or rain and a bright sun which makes seeing the coral under the water easier
With the intrepid Denise standing at the bow pointing the way down the long narrow passage through the coral and the skipper deftly steering
with a tight grip on the wheel we came out between the waves breaking on either side of the entrance into the blue deep water.

It is a light breeze ideal for starting a voyage giving us time to settle into the rhythm of the sea.
We can just see a faint smudge on the horizon about 20 miles away as Aitutaki disappears from view.

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