City Extra

Ah, child-free days. Breakfast at City Extra, Circular Quay, a view of the harbour bridge.

Darren is shattered. He also doesn't do mornings, which is rather at odds with the Aussie lifestyle (they are coming out of the gym at 6.45am). As tour guide, I'm working him harder than any NHS Trust has ever dared. The prospect of my new job has intensified the need to get on with the child-free sightseeing while we still have chance. By 9am I'd poured three coffees down his neck and he was starting to come round.

City Extra is open 24 hours and the menu is presented in the style of a newspaper. They'll serve you any food at any time of the night or day, which is good news if you are suffering from jet-leg. Despite the time (9.15am), the couple at the next table were sharing a dubious feast of roast pumpkin soup, crusty bread, potato wedges and raisin toast. They had a backpack and dark circles under their eyes. That's the sort of disorientation that comes after 36 hours in transit.

For the record, the coffee at City Extra is wonderful. Odd though it might sound, their "muesli with dried fruit, soaked overnight in orange juice, with yoghurt and honey" is the only way to start the day.