It turned out to be half a day of tacking, as expected. Not a problem by itself. After two months of trade winds on the quarter, a close hauled tack is enjoyable as well. Fortunately, the wind veered a bit more in the afternoon enabling us to make Port Philip, close hauled , that is.
The wind lost her strength in the last half hour and we are now waiting for the moment that we must start the engine. That resembles going out in the rain. The first instant it is horrible, but it ceases to matter when you are already soaking wet.
For a large part of the crew, including yours sincerely, this means that the party will be over in Melbourne. There they will be relieved by the on- signing crew. Today therefore we all enjoyed being at sea under sail for the last time in a while. We will drop anchor just outside of the bay in order to enter Port Philip tomorrow under pilot’s advise.
On Tuesday we are being escorted to Melbourne by the “Heritage Fleet”. Despite the fact that this can turn out to be quite a spectacle, there is nothing like sailing on an immense piece of ocean. One could lightly be turned to melancholy from the arrival.
A herd of dolphins seemed to sense this and came by to accompany us for a while as a farewell. These playful creatures had themselves filmed and photographed by those on board that were in competition for the best picture.

The Pacific Ocean, being the largest of oceans, was peaceful enough to enjoy, but not large enough in the end... 
 

Richard Slootweg
Captain Clipper Stad Amsterdam