Late start today. Rob, Linda, Barbara and I met in Raffles at 9:30 for a shopping morning. We hit all the stores we wanted, Levi's, Bloomingdales, Footlocker et al. We were shopped out by 13:30 and went to Macy's basement for lunch. After that it was back to the ship to unpack and have a beer.

Around 17:00 the four of us got off, went to the chemists and then hit Pier 39 for a quick meal. We were all back on board by 19:00, with an all on board time of 20:00.

We sailed past Alcatraz Island at 21:00 and under the Golden Gate Bridge a few minutes later. It was soon obvious we were back in the open seas. We won bottle 41 in Hullaballoo and despite starting with minus one in the Syndicate Quiz, we were in the tie break, which we lost.

I always enjoy my times in San Francisco and this time around was no different.

When we were in Brazil, the transfer of the Union Flag on the starboard bow of the ship was falling apart, but was repaired. By the time we hit Hawaii, it was in pieces again. Just before I left for the morning, a few deck hands were clambering over the side (I have a good view from my cabin). When we got back it had been repaired again. I think it will be like the Forth Road Bridge, always a work in progress.