A pleasant drive up from Canberra. We'd done the first section, to Goulbourn, last year on our way to Canberra from Katoomba, but after that it was all new. Some nice lush green countryside as you get near Sydney, and some interesting looking river valleys and gorges.

Failed to find a petrol station before the airport, so had to pay their outrageous price to refill - still cheap by our standards, but annoying. Looked at the rail link into Sydney, but decided that it would be almost as dear as a taxi and far less convenient.

Goldsborough apartments could now do with some TLC, at least in our room, but a fantastic view over Darling Harbour. Had dinner by the harbour, then a stroll round. Les got up early and photographed the dawn from our window. 

Mike phoned just before 10.00 and said he was on his way. We got a ferry to Circular Quay and had just sat down in a cafe when Mike and Yvonne arrived off the ferry from Greenwich. Strolled through Market on the Rocks and had lunch in a pub bistro. Walked up through the Rocks towards the Observatory. Mike took us into The Hero of Waterloo - old fashioned pub with Irish influences and customers. A jazz band was just starting - incredible  - the lady who played trumpet and sax and sang must have been 80, as must the pianist (see pictures).

After a drink we went on to the Observatory and spent time in it looking at exhibitions. Walked back down and stopped for tea. By the time we walked back to Circular Quay it was 5.00 and we caught our respective ferries. The day had gone so quickly catching up with them and having a great time. Hope to see them when they come to the UK later this year.

The forecast wasn't brilliant on Monday, so we went to The Powerhouse Museum - really enjoyed it. After lunch there we got a train to Circular Quay. We walked to the Opera House, stopping for coffee on the way. We walked right round the outside of the Opera House - great views of the harbour and bridge - and then back to circular Quay for a ferry back to Darling Harbour.

Next morning we checked our luggage at reception, then had breakfast on Darling Harbour (dodging the rain). We were going to just mooch around the shops until getting the airport shuttle from the hotel, but we noticed that The Maritime Museum was offering free entry, so we spent an enjoyable hour there.

On the airport shuttle we got talking to an Aussie couple from Melbourne who'd been in Sydney for a few days. The woman's mother came from Palmers Green (for non-UK readers, that's right next to where we used to live in London, and it's also where Mike - from the Blue Mountains - has relatives). Small world.