GIVEN the weather we’ve been enduring here lately, you have to envy the Australian lifestyle. They can plan open air events with confidence, and if you were thinking of celebrating the first months of 2014 down under, then Sydney is the place to head for, where on Feb 1 you can enjoy Opera in the Domain free.

SADDLE soreness will take on a new meaning for Stuart Mullion when he sets off on his 80-day round-the-world challenge on his trusty Harley Davidson in September.