Day 7

A late start after our late night. Corking weather again, we took a walk through Hyde Parks to the barracks. The building houses an exhibition about convict life and the prison ships they arrived on.

Had delicious lunch at an Italian then headed back to hotel to prepare for New Years eve.

By the time we arrived on Circular Quay, the public areas were already full and it was only 5 p.m.! Drinking in public areas was banned for the day but people were sitting around with picnics and parasols as it was so warm .

After several unhelpful instructions from stewards we found our way to the Opera Bar queue and managed to bag the best seats in the house, right on the harbour wall when the doors opened.

Started drinking immediately (as you do) and chatted to all sorts - Danes, Scots, Americans and Kiwis. Great camp entertainment as per the disco theme with plenty of cheesy tunes we'd not heard for years. Drag queens, girls on roller skates and guests dressed up in lairy 70's get up.

The family fireworks started at 9 p.m. followed by more eating and drinking.

At midnight the main event commenced with five million dollars worth of pyrotechnics going off from the bridge, tops of skyscrapers and barges, watched by a million and a half people. The boats in the harbour were all illuminated and it was pretty stunning.

Finally safe to leave our privileged position by the wall and put on our dancing shows for a couple of hours before stumbling back to hotel about half two in the morning. A memorable night!