December 31: New Years Eve

New Years eve in Sydney means fireworks and beach parties!  We joined the crowd on Manly beach for the 9pm family fireworks show.  We've never seen the beach so crowded but luckily we were there early enough to grab a spot with a view.  There was a great atmosphere on the beach with kids running around and families & friends sharing food & drinks until well after dark.  Paul, Jo and James headed home after the fireworks but we stayed out to see in the new year and watch the midnight fireworks over the harbour, after all it may be our only New Year in Sydney!

December 30: Taronga Zoo

Gem & Daisy go looking for Giraffes in downtown Sydney!

December 28: Hunter Valley

"So explain to me again why i can't eat these grapes?"

December 26: Sydney to Hobart

Boxing day is the start of the Sydney Hobart boat race, and the weather was back to normal.  We walked the 3k upto to North Head to watch the start of the race through the heads.  The view was pretty good but with strong winds most of the boats were gone pretty quickly.  After walking home again we had a bit of a boxing day barbie with snapper & prawns - we could get used to this!

December 25: Christmas Day

Santa was very good to Daisy this year and pretty good to everyone else in Sydney - finally some decent weather!  After present opening and breakfast we wandered down to the beach to join the rest of the crowd for our 'traditional' christmas day swim - like it's ever going to happen again!
We visited our friends Ioan, Naomi, Rhys & Erin this afternoon for a christmas barbie which was great - steak & sausages - definitely a change from the traditional turkey & stuffing.
We were nervous about spending our first christmas away from home & family, but we've really enjoyed our day today.  It's amazing what a bit of good weather can do!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!