Day 116 – New Years Eve

The day started with the usual wake up swim, the water still being chill sorted the wake up whether I was ready for it or not.

The boys had woken up late so decided to skip the planned round of golf in favour of an early set off so after breakfast we tidied the house and packed up the car. Three hours in the back of an A3 was long enough and I was glad that the traffic hadn’t been as bad as on the way down.

Dropping Sandy of I said my goodbyes to him and his family. I couldn’t thank them enough for helping me out. Higgsy then kindly drove me back to Jac’s place in Manly. I’d grown to like Higgsy over the week, he and Sandy make a funny team, so I hope I’ll see him if he visits England.

In Manly I freshened up before doing a mad dash around town to pick up supplies and scope out the bus times. I was in luck with the buses as the ran ever 20 minutes or so and didn’t look to be getting too busy, although people were already setting off with picnics and chairs in hand.

I loaded up a back pack with a small picnic and a book then donned my running shoes and set off. The first bus I took got me to Mosman Junction, with it also being a bus to the city it soon got pretty packed. Leaving the bus I walked round the corner, expecting to have to walk the mile or so to the zoo, and found a bus waiting. I was glad I’d purchased the $6 explorer pass instead of a single and jumped on.

The bus dropped us off as close to the  zoo as he could get due to traffic restrictions causing tail backs. From there it was a ten minute walk down to Bradley Head. For all the talk of there being limited space and entry restrictions I found non. I think arriving at 7pm was the perfect time, not too busy and not too long to wait. As soon as I stepped on to the grass bank I knew this was the place to be, the view of the harbour was what I’d imagined it would be when I spotted the point from the ferry a few weeks ago. I was about to set up camp among the throngs when I spotted a path that appeared to lead to the beach. I followed it for a while an as I did heard someone point out a spot as being the perfect place, they continued on but thought it was  worth a look.

A side path led to a group of people standing on the top of the cliffs. The view was spot on and although there wasn’t room for a group of people there I spotted a rock to the side just big enough for me. Bar a few branches from the over hanging tree the view was unobstructed. I could see people camping out below me and all along the cliffs to the left. The beach looked like another good option but I though the tide might, as it later did, leave people high and dry. Getting up to survey other possible spots I got speaking to one of the group up slightly higher than me. One man said he’d scouted out this spot last year and set up camp 6am in the morning. I saw no need to move on based on that statement.

For the first few hours I sat reading a book, listening to music and watching the sun slowly sink in the sky. By nine the sky was a gradient of deep blue down to oranges and yellows. A counter appeared on a bridge pylon an the kids firework display kicked off. I was blown away, I thought it would be a few fireworks but no this display went on for 10 minutes from barges all along the river. The bridge wasn’t used but it was still magnificent.

To kill the remaining hours I dozed on the rocks as the moon set behind the bridge. I’d listen to my iPod and gaze at the stars or play patience, without it I would have been bored. I’ve forgotten to mention the boats moored in the harbour. In front of me, for as far as the eye could see, were hundreds of boats, from small to large, many moored up together. With all the people on the sea and shoreline you could hear and feel the party atmosphere growing.

Before I knew it it was nearly midnight. The countdown timer appeared on the bridge and all of a sudden the whole sky lit up. Its hard to describe just how big it all was. There were a number of barges letting that let off rockets in sync along the harbour. One was immediately to my left so I got a real impact from the sound. Every so often fireworks would come off the bridge or the city buildings. It really does have to be seen to be believed or taken in. The last couple of minutes stick in my mind the most as the bridge cascaded sparks from the road deck and the whole horizon appeared to be sending fireworks into the sky. Its was perfect and precisely how I’d imagined it to be. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to stay on and witness it.

After the display I made my way through the crowds to Cremorne to a party I’d been invited to by some people I’d met Christmas Eve. It ended up being an early morning finish.

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