Well G'day hot and sunny Sydney, Arrived on a gorgeous summer's day. Good job all the winter gear was sent back to the UK from Vancouver - no need for all that stuff anymore summertime is here!!!! There is nothing like new year's in Sydney. Spent it at a party with my friend Kavita and a few of her friends in an apartment overlooking the harbour (near the Prime Minister's house!!). Lots of fun was had and lots of drinks too - still haven't got the hang of that Japanese drinking game! The weather on New Year's day reached 45degC can you believe it! Thankfully it cooled down over the next day and was even only a pitiful 20degC yesterday though it has got warmer today. How will I top up my tan if I don't have much sun I ask you! Staying with some friends Carmel and Simon at the mo, such lovely people. Have done a few sites went to the Botanical gardens where I could not believe how many huge fox bats I saw up in the trees. Dusk was interesting seeing them all take off in their millions above your head! Watson's Bay was very nice too lovely views. Went to the Taronga zoo yesterday went to partially face my fears and see a huntsman spider before I see one in wild or in someone's house - they're big fellas. If any of you have had the pleasure of my ear cleaning treatment when I've been at home and seen a spider (yes I tend to scream at that point) then when my encounter does finally take place it will be significantly greater than the ear cleaner!!! Saw a komodo dragon (impressive beast), kangaroos, wallabies, wombats (I thought these were small, no they're the size of a small pig!) and a platypus (much smaller and cuter than I expected). Interesting place.