Two bush walks today, separated by a long leisurely lunch! First to the Cumberland State Forest, for a walk among red cedars and gum trees...then to the little sanctuary round Hunt Creek at the bottom of Gill's road, mum's cousin with whom I stayed for several weeks when I was 18. The photo is a tree fern from Hunt Creek, very evocative of NSW bush. It's been a truly lovely few days in Sydney!

They're still blue and still beautiful! This is taken from Katoomba, where I visited when I was seven... 1963!! We drove to several lookouts but this is the most evocative, of the famous Three Sisters. Long drive for our lovely hosts, but a great day - and listening to the test match, Oz vs Pakistan, on the road home!

Arrived in North Sydney today to stay with friends who we met while Andy was doing his MSc course - about 40 years ago! We walked up to Barrenjoey lighthouse and the views were wonderful. Sea an impossible blue...

Lots of visits today - found a Hillsongs church to start the year, then to an old friend of mum's from WAAF days, then across the harbour again to meet up with a friend of mine from Guildford who's out here to visit her daughter and new grandson. Ferry back into this glorious sunset. Now home exhausted! Can't function well on five hours' sleep...!

No photos of the fireworks, though - I followed security advice and left my phone in the apartment...so they're all on Andy's camera. But there are several we can bore you all with when we get home!! We wandered round the city today, and spent an interesting couple of hours in the Museum of Sydney. Loads of imaginative exhibits, including a huge sand tray for kids with these Opera House moulds! Loved it. Then to the Harbour for our six hour cruise, with two lots...