New Years Eve. 2006

Today we are heading out to Kingsford Smith airport to say bon voyage to Tom (Ben's younger brother) who is heading off too England for his GAP year at Lancing College in my beloved Sussex.

Enroute we stop at Surry Hills to visit with Andrew (Ben's older brother) before the rest of the family head off to the airport.

Ben's dad is a font of information about air travel, his father after all is arguably the greatest aviator in Australian history.

We got to see the newly arrived first Boeing 707 passenger jet sold and exported outside America. Built in 1959 and acquired by Qantas it will go on display at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum in Longreach early next year.

The aeroplane is a 707-100 series, built especially for Qantas and as the first Qantas jet it was the first registered jet in Australia. Naturally it was flown by Ben's grandfather!

This afternoon we drive out to the beaches at Coogee, Clovelly, Bronte, Tamarama and finally to Bondi where I have no option...I have to go for the Bondi Burger!

Now on for Hogmanay. Ben and I head off to the Rag & Famish, the oldest pub/hotel in North Sydney to meet his mates for pre-party drinks before walking down into Luna Park.

As we approach the harbour with dusk descending it is a wonderful sight of twinkling lights. On water, as on land, there are thousands upon thousands of people. Boats throng the waters as we join the revellers set to enjoy the world's first major New Year celebrations of 2007.

Inside we all hop straight on the merry-go-round and re-enact the Melbourne Cup to the strains of I do like to be beside the seaside. The atmosphere inside Luna Park is pure carnival and we hop on and off ride after ride before heading out into the throng to watch the 9pm firework display.

This is spectacular, but it is only a taster of what is to come. We seem to go on every ride possible before meeting in a big group to head out onto the boardwalk, above the water and below the bridge, to welcome in 2007.

We may have invented Hogmanay in Scotland, but Sydney is very very special. I have never seen such a stunning firework display in all my life.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!!

The bridge reveals its symbols for 2007 and as they light they could not have been more appropriate. A giant red coathanger and a giant white diamond. 2007 is after all the 75th anniversary of the bridge and these were certainly diamond celebrations.

The trains on the bridge make their way slowly and majestically across as the passengers view the structure and the night sky all around them bathed in a glorious lightshow.

The party here in the park has only just begun and Ben and I take full advantage of viewing the city as it celebrates (a number of times) from the Sydney Eye. This is actually the Luna Park Ferris Wheel re-named for the occassion by us.

I am very impressed by the celebrations in Sydney. Not only do we have the most wonderful of nights but the whole organisation of the myriad of events around the city must be commended, particularly the trains running extremely frequently and all night long to get everyone home.

My final act for the evening is to finally get a call through to my family in Scotland when the lines are free and to wish everyone well for welcoming in 2007 (still several hours away).