Reporting 24th April

Hi folks,
As of 15:30 GMT today, we are at 10deg 08min S and 134deg 16min W. We have had light winds of about 10 knots but got the "tactics" right this time. We reached with all four sails up in a direction more southerly than the rumb line most of the day - our fastest point of sailing - and then went before the wind when it switched east from SE about midnight. Left the opposition in our wake.
The Pacific is huge but we passed within 200 m of an Italian boat at dusk last night - one of the boats we came through the Panama Canal with. He did not have to - we were clear - but he gave way according to the windward - leeward rule. What are the odds of coming so close to another boat in this vast ocean - particularly one you know. They were as surprised as us. It was not the only boat nearby, we also had a radio conversation with another British boat who had glimpsed our sail. Not one we had been in touch with before. The Italian boat disappeared into the darkening sky with no mast lights on so we kept track of her on the radar until we were sure we weren't going to have another close encounter in the dark.
All well on board, and we are enjoying calmer seas even if progress is slower. About two days and 246 nm to go.