Been a bitty day today - business (the initial raison d'être for our trip out here), then flight to Melbourne and check in to a new hotel.

Opened the blind in our Sydney hotel room at 07.30 this morning to a totally white/grey view over the harbour - the rain hasn't abated. Another cruise ship has taken up the berth by the passenger terminal - this one is about half the size of yesterday's, or even smaller. Much less obtrusive.

Checked out of the Intercontinental, taxi to the airport where we picked up a hire car to drive to today's business appointment - really good, really interesting, very positive meeting. Off back to airport to drop off hire car and check in for flight. Seats in tandem on a totally packed flight.

Fair bit of hanging around the airport, uneventful flight (the best type) and now checked into the Hilton in South Wharf, Melbourne. I know there are people who will say Mrs Upgrade strikes again, but we always get upgrades in Hilton Hotels due to those endless nights away Eddie used to have, leaving me home alone when he travelled a lot on business (at the moment he still has a top-level Hilton Honors card which brings lots of perks including upgrades). So .... We are on the 18th floor, in a huge suite with a view over the Yarra River.

Arrived to clear blue skies and lovely sunshine. Hope it stays this way.... Night now fallen and the view is every bit as lovely xx