So, you’re aware of my plans to take Dave on the ferry from Manly, to arrive in the heart of Sydney, Opera House one side, Harbour Bridge the other, all the while the sun sparkling off the harbour waters. Well, it didn’t quite happen like that.

The day we chose to go, it had been raining on and off all day. As the weather was predicted to be like this for the rest of the week, we decided to go anyway. Somehow, we left it later than planned, and it was dark when we boarded the boat. As the rain had ceased for the moment, we plumped for a seat on the outer deck and settled in for the ride. Two minutes into our journey, the swell from the rains caused the boat to plunge from side to side and water came gushing over the deck, and narrowly missed drenching us. Time to go inside. This was not the pleasant sunny trip I had planned. Despite the rain, we were determined to return outside for the last few minutes, which would allow us the view of Sydney by night. And spectacular it was.

We wandered around the harbour in the rain and headed towards The Rocks entertainment district. It seemed pretty quiet, most sensible folk were tucked up in their cosy homes whilst we wandered the wet streets, looking for somewhere to stay warm and dry. And there it was. Heaven. Right there in The Rocks.

The soft glowing light from the Guylian Chocolate Shop, with a sign on the door that read ‘Yes, we are open’. If not Heaven, it certainly was a haven. Big comfy chairs, chandeliers and marble. And the most indulgent hot chocolate you could ever wish for – they put real Guylian chocolate in the bottom. We drank slowly, looked longingly over their cake display and then headed out into the wet night for the slightly calmer ferry ride home.

(And, may I add, both felt quite sick for the first hour following our posh choccy drinks! – DaveB)

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