BasiaUK

Apparently according to the news report I watched late last night the commandos threw in stun grenades to produce all the flashing of light on the news footage and volley of shots to disorientate the gunman, so not all the shots heard would have been the real thing. Andrew Scipione, police commissioner for the state of New South Wales has said that Police are investigating whether the two hostages were killed by the gunman or died in the crossfire. Whatever the outcome of the investigation, it doesn't change the immensely sad fact that two innocent people lost their lives.

Loved Spider Koala! A few years ago the BBC had a programme called "Walk on the Wild Side" which did exactly this. Here's a sample....my fave is the beaver-type creature who keeps calling for Steve, lol!

I also love catching up with Aussie TV! (I love UK TV too!). I love Offspring, Winners and Losers, Underbelly, Old School, Love Child, Time of Our Lives, Wonderland, Puberty Blues etc. and the beauty is, I watch it free on the Internet without all the annoying ad breaks every 10 minutes! (And no monthly subscriptions). I've already watched the first 3 episodes of The Code (which is great and has me hooked) and about to watch the first episode of Party Tricks tonight, only a few hours after it was aired in Oz! It certainly is a funny old world...one persons idea of tosh is another's idea of entertainment, lol! It would be a dull world if we all liked the same thing...

I've celebrated the New Year twice in Sydney - it's the best place to see the New Year in! The first time I stayed in a Harbourside hotel which was very expensive (the price literally triples on New Years Eve) and I also paid to attend a New Years Eve themed party at the Opera Bar which is just across the harbour from the bridge so you get a really fab view of the fireworks. Can't remember how much the ticket was but I seem to remember it was in excess of $150, but worth it as the party was fab! So all in all, it was very expensive.....but that's how I wanted to see the New Year in. The second year I celebrated NYE in Sydney, I was staying at a friends house, so saved on hotel prices and had a picnic in Hyde Park in the early evening (also free, apart from buying the food and drink etc) then walked down to the Harbourside later in the evening to grab a space to watch the fireworks on the bridge. Both times were just as enjoyable as each other so whether you make it expensive or cheap, you'll still be in for a good time! As as for crowds, well yes, there's no way around it, there will be massive crowds around various viewing points around the harbour. I don't like big crowds but didn't have any problems in Sydney on NYE. Everyone's so friendly and so happy and I must say, Sydney really knows how to put on a party! I felt completely safe and the organisation of buses in the early hours to get back home was amazing! Whatever you do, or wherever you spend NYE it'll be great!

Wow! Now that's what I call real camping! Thanks for posting the pics! :smile:

Blimey, that's early Bobj! What time do you go to bed?

I use Sun Sense Daily Face SPF50+ Invisible tint finish....it's apparently made and tested in Australia. Occasionally I use Clinique SPF50+ Face block when I'm feeling flush, lol! Both are great.

Thanks for posting the link Bobj....really enjoyed zooming around the skyline. You might also like this website with more aerial panoramas in Australia and also the world.....enjoy! http://www.pixelcase.com/showcase/

Sorry in advance if it's in another thread but have you decided on the venue of the meet-up in the UK yet?

It was on BBC2 in the UK about 3 weeks ago and was on the BBC iPlayer for a couple of weeks after that (unfortunately, not available now). I remember watching it a few years ago, not knowing about it at all, and thought it was a very good, but very sad film. I watched it again a few weeks ago and have since bought the book to read when I get a chance...

I can imagine there's quite a few wealthy estate agents in Oz with the prices of property over there, lol! Probably a good profession to get into! You may not think you have the talent to create the lovely homes but you certainly do have the talent to spot them. ) There's nothing wrong with joining a local historical society but it did bring to mind a new thread I could start.... You know you're getting older when......................? Lol! ;o)

Wow! These are gorgeous too! If I win the lottery and move to Oz you can be my estate agent and do all the leg work for me....you seem to have good taste in property! :wink:

The sheer variety of wildlife and landscape...