Nicole's Dad

We are currently heading south from Sydney having spent the last few days there. We stayed in Bondi with Lesley, a friend from back home who is lovely, albeit from Bolton but you can't hold that against her. We had a really great stay but it was time to leave as her and Matt were bringing out the worst in each other, i.e their accents. No seriously, enough Bolton bashing, we have had a fantastic timer in Sydney and it was lovely catching up with Lesley and sheer bliss to have a room, a sofa and a BATH - such luxuries.

When we arrived Lesley took us out for dinner, our choice of where to go. There was no question, it had to be a curry house. It had been over two months since we'd had a Balti and we were in serious need so Lesley took us to her local where we filled up on poppadoms and caught up on the last six months gossip. It's strange what living in Eric has done to us, but instead of exploring the Sydney nightlife as we thought we might, we just wanted to get back to the flat, get comfy on the sofa and enjoy a glass of wine out of an actual glass rather than the travel-safe beakers we have become accustomed to.

The next night I cooked dinner for us, another luxury we've missed. The space, the cooker and the sharp knives required to make a decent meal was lovely. We've started getting used to the packet french onion soup and '2 minute noodles' that have become staples of our diet, but having a proper home cooked meal was a real treat.

On Saturday evening Matt and I got ourselves spruced up, put on our shirts and aftershave and headed out to mark the passing of another long and arduous year together, courtesy of our friend Helen we were to do it in style - a seven course degustation meal aboard the James cook cruise around Sydney Harbour. When we arrived to check-in we were told that we were 'gold' ticket holders - we got as excited as Charlie Bucket did when he found his - and were escorted past all the unwashed bronze ticket holders who looked on as we were taken straight to the front of the queue and introduced to the captain. We were then escorted up to the top deck to enjoy champagne and canapes whilst taken in the views of Sydney Harbour. Flashpackers, us? Never.

We then enjoyed the feast of food that followed along with the free flowing champagne and wine that accompanied each course. A live band played as we cruised under the Harbour bridge and past the Opera House and we rounded off the night with a couple of G&T's out on deck, just because we could (and because they were free of course).

Thank you so much Finnimore, it was a truly scrumptious present x x

We got up the next day (to the joyous news that John Howard had been ousted from office and Australia had a new PM) feeling a little worse for wear, went out for breakfast and then headed into town for the Christmas parade. It was all a bit surreal singing 'Rudolph the red nose reindeer' and waving at father Christmas in 30 degree heat but we did it nevertheless and then made our way down to the Opera House for the social event of the year - Australian Idol, The Final. As if this wasn't going to be the best thing in the world ever anyway, it was only to become more spectacular as we stood under the sails of the Opera House with the most amazing fireworks I've ever seen going off right above us when who should jump on stage but Lionel Richie. It was all a bit too much for Matt and I and we found the whole experience genuinely emotional (and that's got nothing to do with the hangover or Lionel's singing in case anyone dared to think it) as the atmosphere, the fireworks and the location were so iconic and rounded off another top night in Sydney.

So we said our goodbyes to Lesley but before we did we managed to compose a list of all the Christmassy things that we'll need for when we get back. I don't think she knows what she's letting herself in for as we are getting very excited about heading back to Bondi beach for the festivities next month.

For now though a new State beckons, Victoria, where we will have to (I'm getting emotional again just thinking about it)... sell Eric!