Was around 01:30 when decided to round off our night in usual Oxford St bars. Arrived to a crowded Taylor Square with loads of revellers on the pavements- some daubed for hallowe'en with fake blood - only in Oz! Had a great end to the night round a couple of bars and Pie Face of course! Guess what - it was 13:00 again after a sleep - oh well! Sunny again. Decided to go to Betty's for lunch and was almost there around 15:00 when was accosted at the traffic lights. It was our party host from the other night - so we were whisked away to a retail centre - "no" was not an option - happy to go with the flow. He wanted new sheets to cover the furniture for the dog. So we ... read more

This is getting to be a habit! By the time we got to sleep around 04:00 it was 11:58 by the time we woke - we got to see the morning this time at least... Pulled round after 14:00 and thought it too late for the beach (it was sunny but with patchy cloud) Decided to wander eastwards till we got sick. Wandered up Oxford St, through Darlinghurst and stopped for a latte and toastie near Paddington Town Hall - Sydney's version of the district is much posher with boutiques lining the street. Walked to the end of Oxford Street through Woollhara into Bondi Junction. Then decided to continue down Bondi Road and ended up at Bondi Beach around 17:30 It was warmer than last Christmas Day and not alot of people around, mainly surfers taking ... read more

Yay it's sunny! Had usual tea and toast at around 10:00 then booked flights for Cairns Queensland - woohoo! Went to Lady Jane beach around 1 o'clock and caught last ferry from Watson's Bay at 15:40 - no time for fish and chips at Doyles - aw! So had buffet dinner in one of Sydney's old Irish hotels - Maloneys on Goulburn St Steak in gravy with rice, salad washed down with 4 pints of lager for only $8 - cheapest beer yet! Called at a patisserie for yummy tiramisu for me and toffee brulee cake for Brian Collapsed on bed and complained about my forming beer belly and it's only been a week! ... read more

Was about the doze off when got text at 04:00 from Dad - ta :) Was awake till 08:00 before deep sleep till 11ish - body clock all out of sync! Got up and had tea and toast but was raining :( Searched out Oz Brekkie at Cafe Molinari on Kent and Liverpool streets round the corner from the Meriton where we stayed at Christmas Walked round Cockle Bay Wharf and across the Darling Harbour bridge, but was windy and raining - only 15 deg C Saw some old corvettes in pristine condition. Headed back to hotel for tea to dodge the rain. Got ready and went out at 16:00 for a laugh to see what the election of Mr Leather Sydney would be like. Well! only entrant was a busted couch with a beard! He ... read more

Took some pics of the room before going to bed just after midnight - didn't take long to clutter it up! Got up early afternoon and went to Coles at World Square for provisions - at least the new CashPassport card worked. Wandered round Darlinghurst Oxford St and Crown St. Saw flowering jacaranda trees in Riley St. Then walked to Darling Harbour and had early dinner at the Blue Fish around 5pm. Yes (!) we had fish and chips - only $60 with a bottle of lager and glass of wine - pricey but was reaaaally nice! Had another snooze and went out to the bottle shop on Oxford St around 23:00 for 4 lagers and a litre of lemonade - served in a brown paper bag - last of the big drinkers us! ... read more