Wind has come around to East of South and we are off towards Opua, New Zealand [-35.317,174.117] (174E not west so a positive now for google maps).  Lots of other boats left today as the weather window looks good.  One of the faster boats that left on the last good window on October 20th was hove to for 3 days in 30 knot winds 150 miles off the North Cape so here’s hoping our forecast is better.  We may stop at Minerva reef [-23.657,-178.967] is the forecast is too light, too strong or too southerly – getting picky!

Normal updates will be at 16:00 local – 03:00 GMT.

Position: 20° 09′ 174° 45′ [-20.152,-174.749] at local 10:45, GMT 21:45 30th October
1085 miles to Opua, NZ. ETA at 5 knots: 22:10 09th November local  time
Wind: SSE 10 knots Sea: smooth