Given just how hopelessly unexcitable the locals appeared to be about Christmas (we saw only two houses with Christmas lights in and around Perth/Freo), we hoped that something might be going-off for New Year’s instead. After all, Sydney has one of the best fireworks displays in the world on this day, so maybe Perth will pull something out of the hat as well?

We headed off towards Perth in the hope of finding a free spot on the opposite side of the river from Gloucester Park, where the AUD$25 a head fireworks display was due to go off. Earlier in the evening, I had identified a point on the map from which we’d be able to park up and get a good view. Apparently, we’re not the only skinflints in town; the secluded spot was teeming with scores of other freeloaders who had sat back into their cheap sets on this poor side of town to watch things in the sky go pop and boom. We munched our banana sandwiches and the cheese-sticks that I had made (“How’d you make those?!” … “I cut some cheese into sticks…”) and teased each other for leaving our flask of coffee back at the apartment.

In fairness to Perth, they put on quite a display. I certainly can’t quibble at the price we paid. I just feel a bit sorry for the two young couples who piled-up out of their taxi and were gutted to learn that they’d arrived about three minutes after the last rocket had gone up in smoke.

Happy New Year everyone. Even though it might seem impossible right now, here’s wishing you a prosperous one. Remember: Impossible is Nothing.

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