Jan 29 saw the first meeting of the full team. Ken, ZL2HU, offered to host the whole team in his Wellington home until we left. Ken's wife Emily was extremely tolerant and a wonderful hostess. Most of then team members had never met each other previously. Early meetings went smoothly. NZ runs on 230V so plugs were changed and radio gear checked for operation. The computer gurus, Trey and Wilbert installed CT on all the laptops and check their operation. To maximize the use of time in loading and checking gear, everyone ended up with jobs to complete. We then began the task of loading five tonnes of equipment on the Braveheart and just finished loading as the crew of the ship was frantically making last minute preparations and loading provisions. Dinner was pleasant at a local Chinese restaurant with the team and the support people, Ron ZL2TT, Chris ZL2DX, Win ZL2GI, Bob ZL1RS and others. The following night saw many of the local amateurs call in at Ken's home and wish us well for the voyage South. We were ready to leave on January 1. Emily was ready for us to leave also!

Up early, some team members were showing the effects of New Year's Eve. The weather was overcast with slight rain. The trip out the Wellington Harbour was magnificent and we were joined by dolphins. Obviously a good omen. Shipboard life was settled into very quickly and you could feel the excitement building within the team. A 20M dipole was hoisted into the rigging and the team got into the serious business of letting the outside world know that we were maritime mobile on our way South. Brian, VE3XA kept track of our progress on his portable GPS. Dinnertime saw us cruising East of the South Island working the mainland local 2 meter repeaters in glorious weather with six foot swells.

Jan 2 was antenna day. Eight antennas were assembled on the rear deck of the ship in excellent weather. The Braveheart was stable with a gentle pitch and roll. Seabirds, like miniature fighter aircraft, did runs at the boat looking for food in the ship's wash. A beautiful sunset appeared on the horizon as we left Stewart Island at the bottom of New Zealand. We changed coarse and headed South East to begin the run for Campbell Island. Immediately the ocean changed with larger swells. The boat rolled and pitched in protest. Great fun was had on the air with the FT900 and dipole hung up in the rigging. Amazing contacts were made world wide.

And then the weather began to deteriorate. There was a cold snap in the air. Waves grew larger and winds crept up to 30 knots with the boat being tossed around. Most of the team went into hibernation down below in their bunks. Less rolling there. The decision to assemble antennas the previous day was the right one. 40 knot winds howled across the rear deck and the wind was blowing froth off the top of the waves. It was quite uncomfortable. Few of the team had lunch. Dinner was a non event. Days turned into nights and soon the Captain confirmed that we would make landfall at Campbell much earlier than expected.