Another boiling hot day! Starting to take meals outside on the open decks when we can - in the shade obviously. Still persevering with my Dukanesque attempts to maybe lose a bit of weight but in no way gain any. I generally have a bit of scrambled egg for breakfast, no toast or some poached fish while Bob, the swine, gulps down the full nine yards full fat English Breakfast!

Our last bridge lesson as Beginners. There has been so much to take in over the last couple of weeks. Going to have to study up the sheets and see how we get on in Improvers. It's the most complicated game with so many conventions and rules to learn even before you actually start playing your hand. I think it would take years to get to be any good at it.

Had a good wallow in the pools and lunch out on the upper terrace deck. I had cold poached fish and egg salad (oddly reminiscent of breakfast) and some cold lamb. Bob had soup, rolls and chicken with salad.

Then it was time to take our paintings along to the art gallery for hanging. There was quite a showing as the morning art class (a duplicate of our own) was also exhibiting plus the tutor had some of his own works on show. I suppose there was around 200 paintings on view. Some of the participants are clearly excellent artists. However, we were very pleased with our offerings - 2 each - and felt pathetically proud every time we saw someone looking at them. Loads of people came. I was absolutely amazed at the interest. We're really enjoying it. I think it might be something we try and keep going when we get home if we can find a class or a group.

Tonight we ate in the Beach House, one of the speciality restaurants. It is up on the Lido Deck at the stern and has a large outdoor eating area. The food is American style steaks and ribs. Lovely setting when the weather is hot like this though. You pay £5 per head cover charge and then all the food is free, well worth it in my opinion. Portions were enormous and delicious. The head waiter, like so many of the staff, is from Goa and we had quite a chat. He lives in Margao, which we know quite well and he is retiring this year. He invited us to come and visit him and his family when we are next there. So nice.

After dinner we went to see the resident troupe perform their show, "Let's Face the Music and Dance". As usual, it was spectacular and they gave it their all. I'm tired out just watching them and it makes me realise that there really have been 40 years since I was doing all that stuff.

Bob and I then wandered up to the very top deck and looked out to where we could see distant fishing boats out at sea. The stars were very visible as the deck lights were out. An amazing display, just clouds of stars and the Plough clearly visible. It would be great if someone on board could give an astronomy talk one night when we are in the southern oceans and I think I'll suggest it. Maybe one of the navigation officers.

Tomorrow is going to be quite a day. Rio awaits.