Day 6

Didn't think much of Qantas. Had fish something with very hot sauce & glass wine. Andy had beef. Not great. Bed seats so low they're almost on floor - bit like a coffin. Only 1 loo for business class and always occupied with people changing in and out of Qantas jimjams. Had about 3 hours sleep then fruit & yogurt for breakfast. Quite nice. Flight approx 7 hours. Landed 10ish in Sydney. Sailed through passport, bag pickup & immigration. Can't believe how easy it was. Straight to waiting limo. Very friendly and chatty driver. Fortunately we could check in early. Nice suite with lounge & fridge etc. They brought bottle of wine for big birthday. Loads of room so unpacked everything then off to collect race numbers for City To Surf on Sunday.

Lovely weather - approx 20. Pleasant after the sweaty heat in Singapore.

Walked to Darling Harbour. Bit like Bristol with some old tall ships. Couldn't get numbers till 3pm so had leisurely lunch 1ish in harbour. Andy has burger and I had barramundi & chips & a pint. All very nice. Horrified at the number, size and cheek of the seagulls. Guy near us took photos of them taking food from his plate. Made me shudder. Waiters spray them with water but they come straight back.
Took an hour to get the numbers - poor organisation for such a huge event.

Home 5ish for shower then out to meet Giovanni from FB running.

Got taxi to restaurant and arrived just about on time. Giovanni recognised Andy straight away. Sat on terrace looking out at boats in the harbour. Owner came for a chat then another 2 from running FB joined us and G's wife Mel a bit later. Nice chat about running, life, travel, families. Had calamares & pizza & wine. G paid whole bill because we were his guests. Very kind and very pleasant evening. Got along with everyone well even though we'd never met before. Susie (runner) & husband Anthony (definitely not runner) run hotels just outside NY - his family business.
Taxi home 10.30. V tired.

First impressions - lovely waterside bits but roads in the city very, very busy.Read more