The breakfast dishes lay dirty in the sink while the recalcitrant galley slave drank tea and wrote her journal. With appliances at the ready, when Si had finished giving the decks a hose down the Brindabella laundry maid burst into life. Two factors made me wish I had used the marina launderette - No.1 The water is now so soft I couldn’t get the soap out of the clothes (we’ll save a fortune on detergents!) and No.2 I’d gathered all the sheets and towels as well. It took me four hours in the end plus the usual careful pegging on the guardrail so as not to lose anything overboard. A late lunch of some cheese I found lurking in the back of the fridge toasted on bread and grapes was followed by a slob out with my book to recover from all of the excursion! Si was a busy boy too internet shopping for the rest of the day, but I think more for spares than pleasure. A visit from Shu from another ARC boat was lovely especially as she has a nine year old son. We hope to get the boys to email each other before December so they will be friends before CJ arrives for Christmas.

   The French boats must soon be off for many of them are now fully dressed with flags as well as their event flags. Our decision to have supper in the marina bar tonight was bad timing as we hit the showers just as all the French were getting themselves dolled up for a party. I queued for the first time for a shower wishing we’d had them on board. One of the large marina buildings was laid up with red and white checked banqueting tables with traditionally dressed locals bearing musical instruments wandering around outside, no doubt tonight’s entertainment.

   The bar was deserted. We sat outside for supper, the humid evening air full of music and speeches drifting out from the function room. Crew Brindabella then commenced their after dinner entertainment - a snooker tournament! Oh were we bad, but what a giggle. The score……………………One all !!!!!!!!!!!!!  YO LINI