Sweetpea Pom

As much as the idea of seeing in the New Year by the Bridge seems wonderful, as a family with young/teenage children whose family from the UK is visiting I don't really want to have to sit in one place for the whole day in order to do so...so, my question is does anyone have any other ideas for a family group staying near Parramatta to see in the New Year which will be memorable especially for the Poms. Thank you!

I am a keen amateur photographer and recently I've taken a couple of good ones (I think). Are there any 'agencies' for nature and wildlife photography? What else could I do? I know that it is unlikely to be successful but you never know until you try! Thanks for any advice or tips.

I do not consider myself a superstitious person ... I deliberately walk under ladders to prove this to myself! ... and yet there are two things that I do without fail ... throw salt over my left shoulder with my right hand should I spill any (and I know the origin of this one) but the weird one is I never, ever put or let my family put new shoes on a table (when you bring them home from the shops and they are still in the box).

Does anyone know where on earth or elsewhere this came from ... it is a vivid memory from my paternal Grandmother who used to do the same thing and it has been ingrained in me even though I consider myself well-educated and level-headed!

Does anyone else have any out-of-the-ordinary 'superstitions' or 'taboos' that seem to just run in their family like this? I find it fascinating.

Thanks

My husband would like a telescope for his next big birthday and I am not sure where to start looking. He will be a complete amateur but would like to be a ble to progress a little. I don't want to spend a huge amount but want more than the two hundred dollar types offer. We live in Australia if that helps. Any advice helpful! Thanks!

We want to take my husband's parents to the Blue Mountains for Easter when they are here from the UK but I want to take our two (by then???) well-trained Labrador Retrievers with us so that it is a REAL family holiday. I have looked through the usual websites but it is hard to find the truly pet-friendly and safe accommodation. We would like a self-contained, cottage or farm type stay. Any recommendations really appreciated.