It’s been an interesting month. The weather has been cooler than I expected for Sydney, and depsite the lack of a/c in the apartment, I appear to be surviving quite well.
The humidity in Sydney – anything more than than 0 per cent is a change to Canberra – makes geocaching a sweaty affair for more. I seem to go through a few litres of water each time I go caching.
For years and years and years, I’ve wanted to be in Sydney for the New Year fireworks. Last year I was in the right city, but a concert on Bondi beach. I remember it was a stifling hot night (30 degrees and no breeze) and the day got up to 48 degrees. This year it was a little different.
I’d found an interesting point on the north-eastern tip of Balmain a few months earlier, whilst geocaching. It has a great view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. After showing Nay, I called the local council to confirm that they woul dhave toilets on the night. They also told me that the suburb would be clocked off from traffic at 3 pm.
So Nay and I travelled to the point at 1 pm, with food, drinks, a tarp and a blanket. I shrugged off Nay’s suggestion of a jacket as we left home, thinking that we only had to contend with the rain, if it arrived. Instead, we had to ensure several hours of wind…brrrrrrrrrrrr.
After we had steak sandwiches for dinner, we settled in for the 9 pm fireworks, which gave us a spectacualr preview of what was to come. An older woman sitting behind us, made many oohs and ahhhs that had me laughing on the inside. I think her Irish accent made it funnier.
Shortly afterwards a middle-aged gentleman settled down next to us and proceeded to consume two bottles of sparkling wine. He was alone and I felt sorry for him. At one stage he turned to me to ask the time and I replied with a smile. Hope he enjoyed the night.
The fireworks at midnight were awesome. The highlight for me were the ones that launched from the top of almost every building in the CBD.
On the way home, we passed an Indian restaurant, where all the waiters were dancing in front of a Bollywood film.
Overall, it was a great evening, despite the looooong wait. So roll on 2007.
Having Telstra Stadium only 30 minutes walk away is handy. Getting free tickets for you and your friends…priceless.
On paper it was going to be a great game – Bulldogs vs. Broncos, or second against third. I thought that I’d be one of those annoying idiots that turn up to a game with the colours of a team not playing – Melbourne Storm.
We met up with Nay’s work colleague Sarah and some of her family. I brought along the sports ears and relayed most of the referees calls to bemused fans.
After 20 minutes, it was pretty clear that the game was a bit one sided. The Bulldogs has three injured players, one other on report and were three tries down. It didn’t get any better and the final result of 30-0 was flattering to the unlucky Bulldogs.
On the walk home we spent some of our time staring up at the Holden blimp with its enormous bright television screen on the side. Luckily I didn’t fall into the swamps.
