Skip & the Ionosphere

As stated in the ARRL Handbook 2001, chapter propagation 12m. 'This band offers propagation that combines the best of the 10m and the 15m bands. Although 12m is primarily a daytime band during low and moderate sunspot years, it may stay open well after sunset during the solar year maximum. During years of moderate solar activity, 12 m opens to the low and middle latitudes during the daytime hours, but it seldom remains open after sunset. Periods of low solar activity seldom cause this band to go completely dead, except at higher altitudes. Occasionally daytime openings, especially in the lower latitudes, are likely over North - South paths. The main sporadic-E season on 24mHz lasts from late spring through to summer on 24mhz and short openings may be observed in mid-winter.

So as you can see many possible path, and time variations can take place in the busy CB band. Long distant (country to country) propagation is not rare at especially sunspot highs.