Getting back to Sydney was like arriving back in my second home. Even touching down on the plane I was excited so imagine what I was like when I saw the opera house and the harbour bridge again!

I spent my first day walking around pretty much most of the city, going back to all the places I remember from before, seeing if they'd changed and taking all the same pictures again, so I can compare them when I get home! Not sure how far I walked but managed to take in Mrs Macquaries chair, the Botanic gardens, the opera house and harbour bridge, Circular Quay, The Rocks, George St (for a bit of shopping of course!), Chinatown and Darling Harbour. If you grab a map of Sydney you'll see that's a fair amount for one day, but still allows you plenty of time to have an ice cream, sit and watch the street entertainers down at Circular Quay and if you're there during the Australian Open tennis (as I was), maybe even catch a match or two on the big screen outside the opera house. Strange thing is last time I was sat on those steps I was watching England win the Rugby world cup three years ago - funny how things happen!

In my brief tour of Sydney I also had time to head over to Manly beach for the day. A short ferry ride out of the harbour and you get to Manly, where there's always something happening, although admitedly it's usually in the water, surfing, swimming, kayaking etc etc - plenty to keep you amused for the day though. And if you do get bored with all that then there's even a choice of beaches for you to walk to. I spent a few hours on Shelley beach, a short walk aorund the bay. It's a bit quieter than the main beach and better for snorkelling, but I couldn't resist the draw of the main beach eventually, mainly just to admire the skill of surfers (and yes I did say skill!).