Normally when we celebrate Hogmanay we are in Scotland and it is “baltic”, as the locals say. This year was different…close to 40 degree heat and glorious sunshine.

Quite a lot of people in Sydney camp out from the early hours of the morning to stake the best spot on the shoreline for one of the greatest shows on earth…New Years Eve fireworks in Sydney Harbour.

After 8 months of slogging it through Asia we decided to glam it up and get some tickets for a more civilised affair – Midnight at the Oasis, in the Botanical Gardens – with the added benefit of rocking up at 8pm and still getting a view.

We got a bit more than we bargained for with really great food, a cracking live band and some amazing (and unspoiled) views of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge behind it….

Karen managed to take a few videos too…

We had a great night chatting to an interesting couple from California, who were sat next to us and then “having to” go for more drinks in the Australia hotel, as the pedestrian path on the bridge was closed until 2am.

New Years day was spent on Shell Beach in Manly, but we were not the only ones with the same idea! We continued our sharing theme that day with some lovely chateaubriand at the WhiteWater restaurant in Manly. Happy New Year everyone!

Can you see any sand?