Arriving Valdivia banks

As we head down to the Valdivia Banks, where our course takes us right
over one of the three peaks which rise up from the 5ooomtr depths to
115mts, we are having second thoughts! (The other two are 23mts and
165mts) The fishing is legendary, as are the tales of fortunes made
via the red gold that live thereon!
So too are the stories told of voices that can be heard talking, and
opera's being sung, to those who dare sail over them ! Our reasons
are more prosaic, however! Common sense tells me that where there is
such a seamount interupting a perpetual anti-cyclonic current, there
must be reason to suspect bigger
seas! Mary says we dont need to look for bigger seas,they found us as
soon as we left Hout Bay! Our position is 26.53S,6.47E at 15.00, and
we have done 757nm since leaving , and have 934nm to St Helena. We are
tired of all the sail changes , trying to achieve the most comfortable
balance between the SE winds and the steep and short SW swells.We have
now opted for a couple of quiet days under headsail alone, gybing
either side of the rhumb line. Its slower, longer, but a bit more
comfortable! The joys of being a cruiser instead of a racer!