Happy Australia Day!

This was the scene at Cottesloe early this morning, with thousands of people pouring onto the beach with their floaty Haviana thong thingies. they are hoping to break the record that was set here last Australia Day.
Such a conglomeration of colours!

We celebrate on 26th Jan, the day in 1788 Capt James Cook landed in Botany Bay (Sydney) and claimed this country for the English. (The Dutch had been before, in the West and of course the Aboriginals had been here for thousands of years.)
There will be fireworks this evening on the river, and 300,000 people are expected to line the banks, vantage points and on the water to watch and enjoy. I just hope the unruly element is subdued. Hot day, alcohol etc can be the perfect recipe for the "Ugly Australian" to appear. I hope I'm wrong.