Monday 8th January 2007. Sydney. NSW.

Today I am on the move to Neutral Bay. I am off to spend the remainder of my time in Sydney with Sandra and Nigel Marsh, my mate Tom's aunt and uncle.

Neutral Bay is so named because the bay was designated a neutral port where foreign shipping could dock following the settlement of Sydney by the First Fleet.

Here in Ben Boyd Lane there is a great deal of history. The Marsh house was built in 1922 as a Californian Bungalow and it is an exquisite property.

This afternoon after lunch round the pool we head out to the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne. This wonderful art deco cinema is well worth visiting in its own right and Nigel, Sandra, Julia (another visitor, from Cheltenham Ladies College)and I are here to see "The Queen". Naturally we have to have a Choc Top to complete the experience.

Down through Mosman we head to Balmoral Beach where we walk on to Rocky Point Island to take in the breath-taking view. This is also the site of a wonderful statue to Billy a dog that was a true local celebrity.

No visit to Balmoral would be complete without at least having a cocktail in The Bathers' Pavilion. The building was built in 1928 with a Moorish styled exterior complete with resplendent cement grilles as detailed friezes. Redeveloped as a restaurant in 1967 the building was constructed by Mosman Council as a changing room complex for Balmoral beach.

On the way home we pass along Glover Street in Mosman.

A wonderful day is rounded off by supper around the pool this evening.