The morning after the night before

I enjoyed New Year’s Eve in Sydney. In the part of town we were in, there was much celebration, but it was not fuelled by alcohol in the same was as they can be back in the UK. The atmosphere on the streets was relaxed, friendly and enjoyable

Having set out to find a suitable viewing spot for the world famous Sydney fireworks about 11pm, we decided not to enter into the park

where we had planned, but instead to perch on a roadside kerb which provided a perfect view of the focal point of the display, the Harbour Bridge. It was a fantastic show and not having jammed into the park we only had a short 7 minute walk back to the apartment, which meant that we were safely tucked up in bed at a fairly reasonable time.

This proved to be a wise move, particularly when the next morning we met up with Jason Haigh Ellery for breakfast who was looking a little worse for wear, having not made it to bed until 4.30am. Jason is a UK theatre producer who I have known for many years, he also runs Big Finish Productions, the production company who produce the Torchwood audio stories which Paul performs in. When we discovered each of us were in Sydney for New Year we arranged to meet . Although Jason may have regretted choosing breakfast as a time to catch up!

After some very nice scrambled eggs overlooking Darling Harbour, we made our way over to Circular Quay to catch the ferry to Taronga Zoo, where Paul had pre-booked a photo opportunity with Koalas.

Unfortunately Taronga Zoo was the wronga zoo, as our tickets were actually for the wildlife centre back where we had started the day, at Darling Harbour. Never mind, as we were there, we bought fresh tickets and set off to explore Sydney oldest zoo.
To be honest, it wasn’t the best zoo we have visited. Personally I thought the enclosures were a bit small and the animals a bit bored. But the tigers and koalas were a highlight.

A quick taxi journey afterwards took us to Balmoral Beach, a beautiful bay on the north side of the harbour. It was here, twelve years ago, that the Billy Elliot post opening lunch had taken place at the Bathers restaurant that overlooks the beach. Having gone to bed at about 7.30am that morning, after what had been quite a bonkers night, I had admired its beauty - but vowed to come back one day to truly appreciate it. Unfortunately the weather today wasn’t quite as glorious as that previous visit, or indeed as it had been yesterday. The temperature was back down in the early twenties and the city had a discernible smoke haze, which sadly was not from the fireworks but from the terrible bushfires that are ravaging the countryside in New South Wales. Apparently an area the size of (original) Wales has already been lost.

Anyway, it still didn't stop us enjoying a little zizz after the days excursions before we went into Bathers for an early supper where we made plans for our final two days.

Yes, the holiday is coming to an end, a fact that was brought home tonight as check in opened for our return flights. It does feel like we have been away for an age. And have loved every minute of it.