Who goes where?: Swealtering Sydney

We finished our little road trip with Tom at Sydney airport and with a teary fellwell bade him a safe return to the UK. It made us a little homesick to see him head off back to God’s Own Country but we applied our stiff upper lips and headed into the Big City.

Sydney is a lot smaller than I imagined, with a handful of skyscrapers and a compact CBD and accessible, charming waterfront. We spent a great day exploring the Botanical gardens, a PopArt exhibition at the Modern art Museum of NSW (a relief to get out of the midday sun), down and along the waterfront to the striking Opera House and classic Harbour Bridge.

During our first night we headed to the Capitol Theatre to see Wicked, our equivalent of a Boxing Day pantomime. It was a great show, funny, intense and beautifully produced.

We stayed with an old friend of Sarah’s and her family, our third Aussie family, and were made to feel so welcome! Kate and Greg were the perfect hosts, great food, location and awesome tour guides!

I took Sarah to the first day of the Australia v India Sydney test at the SCG. A great excuse for a day in the sun with a glass of beer and a couple of newspapers! Well worth the $100 pricetag!

The Anzac memorial and ever burning flame of remembrance

Hercules wrestles the Minotaur outside Sydney cathedral

Every Sunday afternoon for over 130 years, Speakers Corner has been the stage for impassioned free speech and public debate

Now the Modern Art Gallery of NSW which had an amazing Pop Art display

Seeing the sights at Sydney's harbour - spot the tourist!

Fantastic shapes when you get up close

Storm clouds hang over the bustling CBD

Tourist selfie with Harbour Bridge

Sarah take on a bit of free lance work whilst we're here

Opening day of the 4th Australia India Test. The first international held at the SCG since the tragic death of Phil Hughes

A flat pitch and an average India bowling line up mean Australia cruise ahead scoring over 340 in the opening day - very impressive!

Very hot in the New South Wales sunshine

Our neighbours kept us amused - He is Sparticus! or maybe he's a Trojan??! Either way he ate the whole melon during the morning session and then carved it out, with a biro - good effort!!