AM - Woke up in a bed big enough to lose each other which meant we slept well. The move from the hostel was a definite plus.

Rio is overcast today and we walked for an hour or so on the beach at Copacabana. Along the way I stopped to look at the surf. The day before we were messing about in the surf which was cool. I managed to catch a couple of waves just by swimming fast. I´ve never moved so fast over 30 metres and it must have looked good ´cause even T was laughing (not frowning for a change) at my antics.

However the fun was short lived and the third wave I caught picked me up and shot me out in front before crashing down on top of me. One spin setting later and about 0.5 seconds left of breath, I popped up. (See all those times holding my breath through the Blackwall tunnel did come in useful!)

Today´s waves would have mangled me completely. They were huge and completely captivating. The waves here crash so close to the shore they really do sound like thunder when the surf gets big.

We had planned to head up sugar loaf mountain or to see Christ the Redeemer but the rain and low cloud has stymied those plans and it is way too wet to cycle, so instead we headed out into the city centre for a look at some churches (and more authentic bars).

Rio has a reputation as a place to get mugged but after out first 3 days here I wonder where it comes from. Though there is time yet, we have found the reputation unfair. The locals are friendly and there is a widespread and welcome police prescence ( a bit like New York). Aside from our pre-emptive concern there have been no incidents. In fact I feel more like I´m in Europe than South America. Whether that changes time will tell.

Tonight we go to see some Brzailian football (as I type the guide has arrived). If they are half as good as the guys we saw playing footie on the beach earlier i´ll be impressed (and they´ll be twice as good as Celtic!)

Night sports fans. Dave Out...