[password] rachel25
[position]36 30.000s 096 23.000w
[status] On passage to Valdivia, Chile from Auckland NZ.

The big tropical depression that has been defining our weather for several days passed to our south this morning leaving us with a southerly wind which is colder and less humid. We even had sunshine for a few hours before the grey clouds returned. With the depression well on its way we were able to set an east-south-east couguinea pigrse which will gradually take us to the latitude of Valdivia. There will be a "hold" latitude at about 37.5 south to allow another front to pass. Then we will move into the "end game" and the approach to the coast. I wonder if there is material here for a new computer game, something like "weatherman".......or perhaps it's already there......or maybe this is a computer game......
A word on communications. We are still having a daily call with Graham and Dianne on Maunie, and Lisa and Lester on Obsession when they are out at weekends. We are 4000 miles away, and nearly in Chile, a 1/4 of the way around the globe so I find this astounding. For those interested, we have now moved up to 16MHz and have been receiving advice on frequency choice from Peter of Northland Radio. We have also been able to help him test his equipment and antennae - he dosn't often get to speak to yachts this far away. We also continue to have an evening sched with Taupo Maritime Radio, this still on 8 Mhz. Yesterday we also used our Sat phone for voice comms for the first time. We phoned Grayson on his birthday and Lucas phoned his mum in Argentina. The ability to maintain these communications has made us feel much more confident, and is, much safer. Thank you so much Maunie, Obsession and Kiapa, and Northland for your support.

[speed] 6.5 knots
[heading] 100 true
[weather] Wind SSW 15 - 20 knots. 1.0m waves. Sky 100% cloud. Baro 1017,
[END]