Had a peaceful night's sleep but woke up to the wind howling over the decks and a massive sea. Force 11 winds apparently and judging by the white water and blowing foam and spray off the waves, it certainly was. Luckily the wind was from directly behind us and so we had a following sea and Aurora really rides it well. There was no corkscrewing like we had in Biscay so other than the odd pitch, we barely noticed it.

After breakfast we pegged out around one of the swimming pools that has a glass roof which today was closed. It was actually quite sunny but the wind was too strong to be in the open. I went off to the morning art class and met the lady who was holding my paintings for me. It was great to have them back again. Then, we just lay around and read our books. I managed to get a Sydney guide out of the library and did a bit of pre-planning for our 2 days there. Looks so exciting, we can't wait.

They served a bbq lunch under the glass roof up on the swimming pool deck which was nice. The sea was positively boiling all around us. I would hate to be in a small boat out in that. The afternoon Headliners show had to be cancelled as the theatre is in the bow and it was pitching too much to make for safe dancing and use of equipment.

We went to art in the afternoon and it was great to be back to that. Today we did a painting in Aboriginal style of a lizard with Aboriginal symbols around it. Really enjoyed that and we were very pleased with our results. We'd found an art shop in Melbourne and bought a few supplies to augment the ship's kit. Managed to get some more blu-tak too so have displayed even more of our fabulous artworks around the cabin LOL! Soon it will be like sleeping in the Sistine Chapel….

The wind has died down a lot this evening as we are progressing north up parallel with the coast of Australia. The ship is much further in than usual. We can see the coast in the distance and normally we are much too far off for this. Really good table at dinner tonight. A couple who worked for the Hydrographic Office and who were fun, a youngish Australian man and his dad (at least I think it was his dad) and two 60+ Australian ladies who were just doing a short 5 day cruise. Most convivial. Then we went to see an operatic crossover group called Viva Voce, who were a bit of an Il Divo ripoff. Not the best we have seen.

An early night as we are up at 0530 tomorrow to see the sail-in to Sydney Harbour which is supposed to be spectacular. Can't wait…..