Friday

Had breakfast which was very good after a good night all round.

Caught the 10.00 shuttle and when we arrived at the airport it was  really  quiet and check in was very quick. Security was quick, too. Always the way when you have plenty of time!

We bought Bronwyn's whiskey and then went for a coffee, bought some cough mix for Jon and then sat and waited till our flight was called.

Unfortunately, our seats were on the back row so no reclining in our seats and hopefully the ones in front wouldn't either. I know we have been lucky travelling business so much but I had forgotten how tight they squeeze you in. We had Hone Hanuwera a very controversial and outspoken Maori MP sitting in front of us, a very big man. Fortunately, he didn't recline his chair through the flight!

The flight was a bit bumpy in places and long, 3hr 20min, due to strong winds. The lunch we had, beef casserole for me and fish for Jon, was extremely good.

We landed with a bump much to the horror of the young girl next to me who hates flying. We cleared security and headed for the train.

We arrived at Circular Quay and had to walk up to our hotel which wasn't far but due to a cruise ship and lots of boarding passengers it was very busy along the quay.

Our room in the Holiday Inn at The Rocks was on 8th floor and fine. We had a view of the Harbour bridge but unfortunately there were Venetian blinds on the window between the two panes of glass and you could open/close them but not pull them up so the view was restricted!

We went straight out to the harbour and sat and enjoyed a beer in the very warm 23 degrees - not what we expected with all the winter things we packed!

We went back to the hotel and up to the roof terrace and pool to have a look over the city. The cruise ship blocked the Opera House but it was due to sail at 6.30.

We had a bit of a rest and then went out for an early dinner to an Italian place we had been to once before with Heather and was just behind the hotel. We had a really lovely meal sitting outside with a group singing songs and paying the guitar.

We then set off and walked miles and miles to see all the light displays. They were really good but we didn't feel the 'wow' that we felt the first time. The Customs House is still the best followed by the Opera House and now the other big one the Art Museum. There were not so any small displays as last time.

We walked under the bridge to see how it looked from the other side which was lit up by interactive lights but on the wrong side we thought as you couldn't really get to see it unless you were south of the city or coming in by ferry.

We got back to the hotel and were very tired and fell into bed