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position 23 39.4s 178 54.1w We were greeted this morning with a dull and overcast day with rising winds. This was overshadowed by the forecast of increasing rain and wind. Sure enough by tonight we have hit 50k and have probably 1/2 m swells which Rayfiki is riding nicely. Everyone read and I tried to get the AIS going again. Miracles on miracles it has started working and the Raymarine chart plotter once again appears on our iPads or iPhones?.very very useful for the crew as they lie in bed listening to the wind in the rigging and watch our track as we swing back on forth in an arc on the end of our tether. And the yachts continued to pile in. So now there are a total of 25 yachts facing into the wind and waves. Rather be here than 1/2 a mile east in 3, 4 or possibly 5 m swells.

position 23 39.4s 178 54.1w The weather was quite good - a bit of sun squeezed through. Went for a snorkel near the reef in the lovely warm water?.as crystal clear as it comes. Unfortuneatly there is very little coral. However, it was so lovely to see all the familiar tropical fish swimming around. The excursion was topped off for me by spending a few minutes in the company of a half metre turtle and later on with a 1m reef shark.
The tide was going out mid morning and by midday we were able to walk across the reef to the ocean side?what an experience. To think I was standing on the ocean with nothing around for a few hundred miles.
The edge of the reef at low tide is about half a meter above the sea level and has been eroded away with time but equally has much growth on it. The waves crashing on the ocean side of the reef send water across the reef to the inside of the lagoon so there are a myriad of waterfalls along the ledge. It all makes it look like the terraces of Pammukele or even what I imagine the pink and white terraces may be like with a different hue.
Decided to take my copter for a whirl?over the reef. Despite the cloud cover I am rather pleased with my photos. Went up to 220m and from that altitude have some very good pics all the way to the pass. You get such a different perspective of the reef looking down on it. I will post some when I get WiFi. I hope the wind dies and the sun comes out before we leave so I can get some more pics?however I doubt that will be the case After lunch took the dingy down to look at the lighthouse. Mark & Joel climbed to the top! Mark was looking for some surf :) They then spotted a wreck in the distance so took off to examine it. Only when they were nearly ontop of it did they realise it was a lump of rock or coral that had been weathered to look like a wreck.

Its quite awesome being in here...waves crashing on the reef outside & then calm water - 14 boats in here last night. 1 came in about 7pm in the dark and there are 3 boats outside about to come in with daylight with I think some more behind that Just dancing around beautifully. Ross & Pam Vixen7 anchored next door...they arrived soon after. Had a chat with Citrus Tart as we came past South Minerva - they heading up here today. There were 2 other yachts in S Minerva. Fullcloud cover and intermittent rain. N Minerva is 3nm in diameter and all yachts are clustered down the SE end - closest to the direction of forecast wind.
We had a bit of a sail yesterday before coming in as the wind got up in the morning. Had a tooty around & then came down to where the other yachts were found a nice spot on sand in 14m and dropped anchor in crystal clear water. I was controlling the process from bow and holding ourselves over the anchor as I wanted to see it touch the bottom and check it had dug in. The next thing a 45k knot squall hit - & just had to go backwards and feed the chain out. 70m of chain out I felt we were IN and we held against this gust which lasted about 5 minutes...then dropped to 25 or so and now down to about 8.
N. Minerva is a more pleasant drive around as 2/3 of it does not have all the bommies that S. Minerva has. If I look out the hatch above our steps it is a lovely view looking at reef and waves crashing onto it

Hi, It is Mabel here, can't wait until my Birthday on the 15th of May, Yippey. I am looking forward to going to Tonga, it sounds like lots of fun.