Australia Part 2 - New South Wales

29^th of December saw us arrive into Sydney where we began a frenetic programme of visits with friends and Sarah's family. It was a bit surreal being back, lots of things hadn't changed but my memory of them didn't match reality – I had forgotten just how big a city it is (geographically) and we were glad that we rented a car or we'd never have reached everyone.

One really great thing about going back was how easy it was to slip back into old friendships - Claudia, Lou, Nat and Sarah at lunch in Kirrabilli

Our NYE was down at the harbour, as Cam and Lou were kind enough to host us in their apartment which has a great view out towards the Heads for the 9pm fireworks. For the midnight fireworks the party relocated to just below the bridge to join the throng – it was a magnificent sight. A huge thanks to Cam and Lou as they really went above and beyond to keep us very well fed and and watered.

Happy New Years!

Pretty!

On the balcony to watch the fireworks - Claudia, Nat, Jess, Megan and Sarah

Sarah, Megan, Jess and Lou

New Years Day was taken up with a series of BBQs (thanks in particular to Claud and Greg) and on the 2^nd we headed up the coast to North Arm Cove for R&R (and a bit of gardening/mowing/waterblasting of the water tank – there is a real sense of satisfaction in doing work around the garden). We hit two beaches, pigged out and spent quality time with the McKinlays – and played a lot of Settlers of Catan (the six player expansion set got a real work-out).

New Year's Day at Claudia and Greg's

Jessie and Sarah at Nelson's Bay

Jimmy's Beach near Hawks Nest

We had begun to get very comfortable in NAC, but unfortunately reality intervened as we had to visit the dentist in Sydney on Thursday afternoon; this left us a couple more days to see as many people as we could before hopping on the plane to New Zealand.