(
previous).....On the stroke of
midnight,
awesome fireworks erupted at various points on the Harbor and also from the top of Centerpoint Tower (supposedly the
southern hemisphere's tallest manmade structure). This went on for almost 30 minutes (though what we couldn't see from our spot in the city was the cascade of fireworks from the Harbor Bridge, and finally the large "Eternity" written in lights across the Bridge itself). We watched it all with inexplicable misty-eyed feelings of
goodwill towards
humankind and resolutions about being kinder and gentler beings
etc etc. When the explosive sounds of the fireworks died away, the bells of St Mary's Cathedral, on the east of Hyde Park, began pealing. Went back to sprawl on the bed and watch a French movie ("Les Comperes") on TV while tucking into champagne and a box of chocolates. Occasionally went to the window and looked down at the large crowds straggling back from the Harbor and thronging the city streets. To sleep at 2.30 a.m.
At 11 a.m. we watched on TV and listened to the BBC World Service as midnight hit London and the Thames was set on fire. Here, outside, the skies were grey and the city was empty and quiet.