Another totally brilliant day in Sydney. Really enjoyed our time here and could easily stay much longer. Another place I could imagine living in very happily. Lucy would love it here. It embodies all the wonderful things about London ie theatre, arts, nightlife, amazing shopping, even more amazing food but in a more manageable size plus with the considerable assets of fantastic weather and beaches on hand. Some parts are like a sort of Clapham with Sunshine ...

Woke up early for our sail in. We were on deck for 0630 just as we were approaching the cliffs that mark the outer edge of huge Sydney Harbour. It was still quite dark and there was a huge full moon, quite misty in the sky. The lighthouse marking the entrance was clearly visible flashing away. Even as we approached the light was coming up and the moon started to fade and fall to the horizon. By the time we actually passed into the harbour the sun was ful...

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...

A slightly disappointing day in Tasmania. The weather was not on our side for a change: mostly drizzly and grey. Occasionally the sun did peep through but not often enough. We were booked on a full day coach trip with P&O to the Cradle Mountain National Park. I don't really like coach tours at all as I've said before, but this would have been difficult to organise any other way. Anyway, just being on a coach with 40+ people puts me in a bit of a bad mo...

So, a sad farewell to New Zealand this morning! Very easy check in etc at Auckland airport - very nice airport it is too. Very easy to move around and plenty of seats and restaurant outlets. Flight was smooth and I watched two films in the four hours. Well, 1.5 films actually…. I saw the whole of The Water Diviner directed by Russell Crowe and with him in the title role too. It was really really good and very touching. About a father's search for his 3 ...