Warm weather at Merewether Beach, Newcastle. Reflecting on snowstorms elsewhere, freezing weather and when the gas heating fails.

South Africa won the test and their warrior captain (Man of the Series) took to the pitch in the last overs despite the sports injuries he had sustained.

The idea was to escape the heat wave on the plain by travelling to the 'hill country' but the temperature in Katoomba was round thirty degrees as well.

Cricket fans enjoying the Third Test at the SCG.

A Band from the Tongan Community in Sydney visited families to bring greetings for the New Year. In their back garden, the elders listened to the music and the singing and refreshments were offered. Tonga is a Pacific Island kingdom.

A Korean ten.

The spectre ship in the previous photos was like this several hours before darkness fell on New Year's Eve.

It looks like the James Craig, a barque, built in Sunderland, England in 1874 and since rebuilt or restored.