Journal Entry November 15

UTC 5:15 15 November

6:15 pm local, 14 November 2010

28D 12′ S, 179D 45′ E, COG 195 m, SOG 6.5 kts, wind 18 kts from 150d t, waves 8 ft, partly cloudy, barometer 1022, temp 74

Hi Folks,

As you can see we crossed the technical date line (at 180Deg) .The Longitude numbers are going down and the letter changed from W (West) to E (East).

Today we had a bit lighter winds and slightly smaller waves, and all this made the ride more comfortable than yesterday.  Much less splashing.  Still making decent time at 6.5 kts.  We have a little over 500 more miles to go.

We are participating in a SSB radio net called “Penquin Net.”  They do a “roll call” every morning at 7:30 AM local at 8104 kh.  When your boat name is called you radio in your well being, position, weather conditions, and any other pertinent information.  We have been keeping track of the location of many of the sailors we met in Tongatapu this way.  There are several within a 30 mile range and one who shot out way ahead of us (100 n miles as of last night).

Be sure to check out AKKA’s blog.  They sent us the news flash that they included a photograph of of all three of us titled:  “The Grafs and guest – ready for church on a Tongan sunday morning.”  The website with the link is:   www.sy-akka.de

Talk to you again tomorrow,

Michael, Sharon, and Pat