The JaYmes Escape

One or two eagle eyed folks have already spotted a new yellow line on my maps page, so it’s time to unveil the big plan: I’m heading west via the outback town of Broken Hill and the state capital of Adelaide to the shores of the Indian Ocean and the city of Perth. I’m going to be travelling the 4352 km /2704 miles overland on the Indian Pacific, the second longest railway in the world.

Just to put this into perspective, Riga is 1673 km/1039 miles from London, Gibraltar is 1760 km /1093 miles from London and Moscow is 2500 km /1553 miles from London. Travelling from Sydney to Perth is roughly the same distance as travelling from London to Moscow, and then on to Baku in Azerbaijan.

Today is my last day at Digital Radio Australia, and sometime next week I’ll be leaving Sydney. Where am I going? Watch this space.

My photo gallery is finally up to date. Please take a look at some crazy pictures of New Year and other things.

For the Pink House christmas people - your unique T-Shirt signed by everyone is now ready to buy, or just look at, in the shop.

Hundreds of them set out early in the morning and spend all day in the sweltering heat to secure their viewpoint. Thousands more flock to the best spots as the searing sun starts to fall. By midnight an estimated million revellers line the shores of Sydney Harbour to celebrate the New Year. The hundreds of beaches, parks, wharves and promenades overlooking Sydney’s most famous landmarks make the harbour an ideal natural audiotorium for the big night.

As the sun disappeared behind us and the crowds grew and grew, the large neon heart on the harbour bridge began pulsating; it’s rhythm and size building slowly into the 9pm childrens’ display. As the party gained full momentum more large pulsating hearts appeared on the water and the midnight crescendo delivered an incredible barrage of sound and light, including the now legendary detonations around the arch of the bridge.

Yes, Sydney New Year is truly the best firework display in the world.