The flight out of NZ went smoothly and we arrived in Sydney to be welcomed by a fantastically familiar face. Luke introduced us to Bec and we spent the journey back to their apartment catching up on our current situations, in between Luke pointing out the local landmarks. Our hosts had cunningly arranged that the car in which they had picked us up from the airport had to be returned to the town centre, next to an excellent pub. This is where we started our evening, eating homely food, drinking excellent beer and catching up on where the various years had taken us all. It was a perfect introduction to Australia and to Bec, and I could happily have spent all night at that table in that company.

When we were suitably fed and beveraged our tour guides wandered us through the streets of chique shops and art galleries towards Circular Quay. The view of the harbour bridge across the bay was better than any postcard as we approached the illuminated arches of the opera house. Bob was just a bouncing smile as it hit home exactly where we were and we couldn't have been in better company. We soaked it all up and headed back to the metro station, picking up Guylian hot chocolates en route.

The journey home was slick and we toppled gratefully into our luxuriant bed, with our heads whirring with what we had just seen and making plans for tomorrow.