New Years day here was 44. There were pretty bad bush fires in the Junee, Bethunga and Illabo areas, as well as around the Brungle, Tumut and Gundagai district. The latter being a double tradged. Not only did alot of grazing land get burnt and 100's of sheep either killed directly by the fires or having to be shot latter, but the Brungle and Tumut region has some of my favourite riding roads within 2 hours of here.
I'm glad you had a good trouble free break - Janice and myself were planning going for a ride on some of our favourite roads this week but, as you read above, probably not a good idea. We'll still do a day ride somewhere just not up that way for a while.
As for the price of Petrol, you forgot what State you were in, NSW, which, as we all know, stands for Newcastle Sydney Woolongong. If you don't live in one of those areas basically you're phucked.
Anyway bloke, happy new year to you and yours from me and mine.