New Year - Sydney 07/08!!!

After the Christmas shenanigans Kate joined the party from over in Auckland. Grand plans were afoot to see all kinds of wonderful things in and around Sydney. However it seemed that the drinking got in the way a little and most of the time was spent in a hungover haze.

We did however manage to go to the beach, swim in the surf (me and Stu anyway as Rach and Kate were too scared) and get stung by jellyfish (Rach and Kate did but me and Stu escaped - probably because we were swimming, not fannying around in the shallows), and visit the city centre for views of the opera house and the bridge. Both still absolutely amaze me. I don't think I would ever get bored of seeing them. The bridge is huge and the opera house is just stunning.

The plans for new year were to go to Mrs Macquaries Park and watch the fireworks over the harbour. Lots of people had recommended it. And we were advised to go early. Also there was a minor draw back in that no alcohol was allowed to be taken into the park site. However after an ingenious suggestion from Stu, we managed to sneak a couple of bottles of 'water' into the site with our picnic along with a vodka fuelled water melon.

All the best laid plans go to waste, and true to form the early start somehow evaded us once again. Nothing to do with the night before of course!!!! Anyway, we reached the park and were dismayed by the ENORMOUS queue of people that were waiting to go in. Hundreds of them. And thoughts of missing out completely were running through our minds. However there was no need to panic. We joined the back of the line and set about entertaining ourselves as we waited. An hour later and after several lame eye spy games we successfully negotiated the bag searches for booze and we were in. We just had to find a spot in the park now. There were about 9,000 people in the park when we got in, with a total reported capacity of 22,000. Not sure where they would all go as it was already pretty busy with the best viewing spots gone.

We set up camp (on the third attempt having changed our minds previous - grrrr) beneath a big tree to give us some shade. Much needed shade. It was a blazing sunny day.

We unpacked the food, ate a little, played a few games and drank. The bars opened at 3pm and wine and beer was the order of the day, along with our 'water' we smuggled in that tasted remarkably like gin. Hmmmmm, weird. Anyway, we ate, drank and became merry.

There was a 9pm family firework show. Then the main event at midnight. We needed to find a good spot so we could see the bridge which was to be the focal point of the fireworks display. We loaded up with rations (wine) and set out to commandeer a position much to the disgust of a few other people who had apparently come to Australia just for the fireworks and were not going to have us ruin it for them. Claiming complete ignorance and ignoring them seemed to do the trick and as the count down to midnight began all seemed forgotten. A big illuminated egg timer on the bridge let the masses know 2008 was upon us.

And WOW!!! What a show!!! I have never seen fireworks quite like it. This is how to spend 1 million dollars in 12 minutes in perhaps the most spectacular way possible. It was truly, truly amazing. And the white water fall from the bridge was just incredible.

It was then back to our picnic spot to attempt to drunkenly text everyone in my phone book happy new year from Sydney. Most apparently didn't work, thankfully for the sake of my phone bill, but i did end up ringing a few folk. Well done me!!!!

Then it was time to pack up and make our way back home to bed. What a fab new year it was.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Christmas in Sydney

Being on this side of the world it was to be another orphan christmas. My third now. This time I was joined by Rachel and Stu (who was up from Melbourne).

Stu's arrival marked the start of the christmas holiday proper. Fun and frolics were the name of the game and all the best laid plans seemed to end up in a bar drinking either beer or gin. NO biggy really. Haha. We had trips the Manly, the Powerhouse museum (rubbish don't bother going), Bondi, Coogee, the coastal walk and also several trips to the bottle shop (yikes thats very Oz of me, I mean the offie) and which ever pub was nearest.

It was a fab time. And most days included a beach trip or two. And on more than one occasion the surf was, errrrr, big. Still within my comfort zone but I sure would not have liked to be a life guard.

Anyway, on with christmas. After a mammoth trip to get booze and food we were set. It was to be a roast chicken (turkeys were somewhat rare in this neck of the woods) with all the trimmings. Rachel wanted yorkshire puddings (random) and we tried to convince her it was a beef thing but she was having none of it. But then what would she know being a kiwi and all.

So it kicked off with christmas eve. Drinks and then a few more and a few more. Bed by sometime or other in the early hours. Drunk. For a change. Because (this bit is for my mum) i never get drunk see.

Slightly worse for wear christmas morning was upon us. Present present every where. But first things first. Champagne was opened and bacon buttied were cooked on the BBQ. Then it was present time. Woohoo!!!! Thanks to everyone for the cards and prezzies by the way.

Then, sporting a fab Fat Willies vest from my parents it was on with the drinking. Nick and Nikki (house mates) went off for food at a mates house and Stu and myself set about prepping our food while Rach set about pickling her liver with gin. It was food all the way, intermingled with highly intelligent games of scrabble and draughts and card and drink your drink and all manner of silly games. Sadly the weather deserted us on christmas day. It was cloudly. Grrrrr. We decided to pass on the beach, and chilled in the back garden.

Dinner time. Drink time. Food was fab, even if I do say so myself. But sadly the yorkies were rubbish. I blame the oven. Anyway. It was a fab day. Totally fab.

Boxing day gave us the sun that had deserted us the day before. It was off to watch the start of the Sydeny to Hobart boat race at the Gap, a look out that is notorious for suicides as the shear cliffs make a great jump spot, and then onto the pub at Watsons Bay for a sunset view over the city before a dip in the surf at Bondi. Fab day.

Things were however going to get even more messy.... Kate was arriving from NZ to see in the New Year Sydeny style. Bring it on!!!!