Brisbane, Australia

Started up-river (14 miles) early this morning. Thousands of jellyfish in the water. Docked well below town before breakfast.

We watched them lift the first of the Douglas Transports off, before lunch, with a rather weak-looking lumber loading crane. However it was stronger than it looked and except for a few rather violent careenings, came off without mishap.

Went in a group to see the American consul after bidding the army pilots goodbye (they were all off by 1500) (we ragged them about the fact they were getting off before things got hot). Dodged the consul and took a look at the town.

Quite a good-sized town (approximately 350,000). Sidewalks downtown or are almost completely covered by permanent awnings. No really tall buildings. Lots of iron grill work and tropical lattices.

Bill and Salisbury grabbed a pair of wenches at dinner and went to a nearby nightclub — very nice and about the only one in town. Introduced myself (tsk) to a very pretty girl (had noticed her earlier outside) who was with an RAF officer. He nicely let me have a dance with her (Joan Duryea).