Today we had to leave Yarra Valley and our stunning accommodation. This is a photograph of me in the shower/spa bath which has a clear glass window to the lounge – there is of course a curtain for modesty!

The weather was cool for travelling today.  We left at 9:30 and our drive to Lakes Entrance took us just over four hours with a couple of loo stops and one coffee break.  The latter was an interesting ‘in the middle of nowhere’ diner with an outside loo just off Princes Highway.   There were a few homes hidden among the trees and this place was probably owned by the people in the house next door to it.   It was pretty busy too – trucker, tourists and locals obviously find it a convenient place for to break their journey or take a break from normal life.  Once again we found the people friendly and efficient.   I thought the loo might be dodgy, perhaps even a long drop – but it was perfectly clean and had a well-maintained flush system!  The wash basin was outside and the only tiny complaint was that the soap had run out and there was no towel!  Luckily I carry my own waterless hand-wash wherever I go!   Besides my fetish about clean ablutions I also require my coffee to be ‘just right’ and I get grumpy if I’m served a bad cup of coffee anywhere in the world I find myself.  Australia – you have passed the test – I love your “long blacks” and haven’t had an inferior one yet – not even at this odd little place in the middle of the bush!

The past two days of luxury are over – but our new accommodation is not half bad.  We have a comfortable two-bedroomed apartment with excellent cooking facilities – but it is not serviced – horror!  We do have a view and are close to the lake and the beach. There is a washing machine, iron, ironing board and all household gadgets needed.  This is the norm in most Australian hotels which is really cool.

We settled in and then went shopping – we intend to self-cater – and we’re finding the quality of the supermarket food quite remarkable.  At home I only shop at Woolworths – here all the supermarkets have excellent quality fruit and vegetable and the staff are all very helpful.   The interesting thing about Australia is that there seems to be very little class distinction.  Any job is a good job and folk are proud of their jobs and do them well and other people respect what they do too – well that’s our experience so far anyway.   Also everything is clean and well maintained.   We have seen very little litter, lawns are trimmed, fences are fixed and our accommodation has been fantastic be it luxury or budget, everything works and there has been little or no cause for complaint.   So often at home we find something doesn’t work – usually the plumbing or electrics.  The worst we’ve had here is a problem getting the key card to work – but that was due more to our ignorance rather than technical error!

After a pleasant shopping experience we took a walk along the promenade to check out the beach and boats, watched a couple of lads fish and photographed some carvings that commemorate and honour those who were injured or killed in The Great War.

Earl is cooking dinner tonight – lamb chops, baked potatoes and vegetables.  Could life be more complete than this – a fabulous setting, a divine husband who cooks and an aunt who loves me.!  How lucky am I!