Arrived in Sydney on the 18th December and were met at the airport by Geoff and Margaret, George's mum and stepdad.

It made such a lovely change to have a base for a couple of weeks...to catch with with sleep, washing all the usual things you take for granted when living at home...fantastic! I was made to feel very at home thanks to Geoff and Margaret, they were lovely, thank you so much folks...and to have home cooked food...oh how I miss it...a traditional Christmas lunch as well...very spoiled! I certainly put on that weight I'd lost in China...I needed it!!

George and I caught the train a couple of times into Sydney city from Albion Park...couple of hours journey into the city from their home, to catch up with Christmas shopping etc.

On the 29th I travelled into the city to check in at the Holiday Inn where I stayed for 4 nights. Met up with Fiona and Tom (and Dave) who I met travelling through China on the Intrepid tour. It was great to catch up with them and to hear all about their travel stories since going our separate ways back end of November. Also met up with Craig and Katie on the 30th with the cricket crowd...so lovely to meet up with them.

New Year's Eve on board the harbour cruise was great fun...a night to remember...the fireworks were out of this world...missed friends and family at that moment...but had a fantastic time.

John and Hannah on the spur of the moment dropped into the hotel as they were in town and I just happened to be coming into the foyer as they were leaving...good timing...really fab to catch with them also...had a few beers and caught up...hope to meet up with them in New Zealand some time.

2nd Jan flew out to Auckland...only took 2.5 hours...nice flight...yikes am on my own now...that'll take some getting used to!!