SOLO SENIOR TRAVEL TIPS

ROBBIN MILLER,TRAVELLING STYLE QUEEN

When I travel,I dress smartly,almost business-like,and stride through an airport like I do it all the time.
I check my luggage and only have a stylish shoulder bag,leaving my hands free.

The secret to my confident travel style is that I plan ahead,checking destination details on-line,mostly,
to fix a picture in my mind of every step of the way.No anxiety,no dithering,no surprises.

Ok,if a flight is delayed,I find a quiet corner of the departure lounge and read or check social media.
I don't engage in whiney conversations with my fellow travellers.

I prefer a window seat on a plane,so I have a degree of privacy during a flight.On short flights,I drink
water only.No snacks and no coffee because if there is any turbulence,I don't want to wear a coffee
stain to greet my friends or family.

THE GOOD GUEST

I take PRESENTS,lots of presents.

Staying with friends or family can be fraught with danger.I am up early to beat the bathroom jam-up.
I carry my own mirror for my make-up and I have easy hair.

If no-one else is up,I will leave a note and walk around the block,giving later risers time to sort them-
selves out.

An unfamiliar kitchen is no place for me to cook.I will tidy up,though.At an appropriate time,I am
happy to pay for dinner without looking at the bill.

CLOTHES FOR FUNTIMES

I pack clothes for most occasions so I don't have to borrow anything or look like a fruit salad.
My travel clothes do not need ironing.

ROBBIN'S RULE

I don't stay long,even though my visit is carefully planned and I may not wear all my outfits.
I am invited back because I am not much trouble to have in the first place.

STYLE QUEEN ON HOLIDAY

MELBOURNE IS FOODIE HEAVEN

I packed a lot into my trip to Melbourne.Family time,lunch with good friends,a big night in the City,
and a hike to Hanging Rock.Phew!Take my pulse and put up a drip!
Son,Jonathon,suggested a walk through the trendy streets of Richmond to the old Channel 9 T.V.
Studios,where we found a courtyard cafe called the Patch.

THE PATCH CAFE

Just one sip and I know why Melbourne boasts about having the best coffee in Australia.I love
that the City's food culture is so well respected by both patrons and staff.This means there is a
pride in the service,be it a Chicken Parmi in a pub,a trendy cafe brekky,right up to your 5 star
dining experience.For the record,I had two coffees.

LOVELY LASAGNE

After watching my favourite footy team go down and munching through a chocolate egg,it was
time for a glass of New Zealand Savignon Blanc and Jono's own lasagne.As a former chef,Jono
sure knows how to wake up the taste buds.Minced beef flavoured with olives and sun- dried
tomatoes,layered with egg-plant,zuccini and a to-die for cheese sauce.Yum!

SHORT AND SWEET

My little holiday in Melbourne was brief but as Arnie says,"I'll be back".

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK

Firstly,there really is a place called Hanging Rock that is about an hour north
west of Melbourne.Some years back a movie was made about a group of
young girls who disappeared while climbing the Rock.Although,the rock
structures are huge and menacing,there are so many people swarming
around,taking photos,chasing kids,that no-one could go missing now.

ROCK CLIMBING

We had our picnic over looking a sports field where a very serious bunch of
blokes were playing cricket.On the edges,kids were kicking footies and running
races and hootin' and hollerin'.All good outdoorsy fun.
Of course we had to climb the Rock.Once past a gently rising path,a series of
steep steps took us to the top amongst wierd rock formations similar to those
found on Easter Island,but worn and weathered into crags and crevasses.
We certainly burnt off the calories from the chocolate eggs and buns.

FUN TIMES

SOCIAL SATURDAY

Wow,what a day! Lazy morning chatting with Jono ,followed by a long lunch with
long-time friends.I went to school with Cheryl and was her bridesmaid when she
married Graham.We remained friends and I love to see them when I am in town.

DINNER AND A SHOW

Melbourne at night is a vibrant swirl of colour.China Town for dinner,then the
Comedy Theatre for Wil Anderson's manic show,then the Italian cake palace,
Benetti's, in Carlton.All that in high heel boots!

GOOD FRIDAY

LUNCH AT ROSEBUD

Good Friday means hot cross buns eaten in my jammies after a lazy sleep-in.
That's how I started the day in Melbourne with my son,Jonathon and his girlfriend,
Elly.

Later....
We piled in the car and joined half of the city's population on the freeway to
Portsea.It was almost gridlocked beachside,so we chose a softer option and
ended up at the Rosebud Hotel with a crowd of,mainly,locals for a seafood
lunch and a glass of wine.......perfect.Afterwards,a pleasant stroll on the beach
and a less stressful ride back to Richmond.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL

HOLIDAY PLANS

I am off to Melbourne for the Easter break to stay with my son,Jonathon.
Usually,I am a very skinny packer,specially when travelling overseas.
However,as Melbourne is the Fashion capital of Australia,I have a case
full of stuff with accessories to match.
I will report in,hopefully wearing the right outfit for the right occasion.
Or,I could be slumped on Jono's couch wearing Jono's trackies after
raiding Jono's beer-fridge.

Tues22nd March WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT LIVING SOLO?

THE DAGGY DAD CHAIR

I do not have a Dad Chair.You know,the chair that dominates a living room
with arrogant disregard for any chosen decorating themes.The Dad Chair
has sagging cushions,a projecting footrest and a ring of detritus around it.
There is a morning newspaper,a pair of joggers,a couple of coffee cups,
maybe a wallet,a phone,car keys,sunnies,a library book and a spanner.
The T.V. remote is permanently stuck down the side of the Dad Chair.

MY FAVOURITE THINGS.

A solo lifestyle means that I do not have to accomodate another's taste
of lack of it.I have my favourites around me to arrange as I please.When
I downsized to my small home,the things in the photos came with me,as
they tell a story of friendship and family.For example,the aqua glassware
belonged to my late sister,the bear a get-well gift from one son,the red
glass plate a birthday present from my other son.How could I ever part
with my childhood doll?Funny,I rarely played with Jenny because I was
a tomboy,better suited to backyard cricket than playing with dolls.

Mon21stMarch YOGA CLASS

CAPE HAWKE SURF CLUB

The view of the beach,the sound of the waves and a spicy scent in the air
means that I'm at a morning yoga class at the Cape Hawke Surf Club.
Teacher,Vickie,leads us through a series of stretches flowing into the
traditional yoga poses that calm the mind and lift the spirits.

POSITIVE ENERGY

My mind sometimes reflects on the past and plays this game called
"what if" or "if only".There is no going back,of course,so I find that regular
yoga practice keeps me grounded in the present and gives me the positive
energy to fully enjoy this life that I have chosen for myself.

              www.capehawkelsc.org.au/

https://beachsafe.org.au/beach/nsw198

Sat.20thMarch.MEET MY SON

CHRIS MILLER AT THE
GRAND PRIX

My son,Chris,is an accomplished actor,a familiar face in the Indie Theatre
productions in and around Sydney.When he is not treading the boards,
Chris is the travelling ambassador for Bundaber Rum,conducting private
tastings at exciting events,such as the Grand Prix,held in Melbourne,over
this weekend.
The trackside pop-up  bar and tasting room is trucked in and built on-site
by the specialist drinks agency,Sweet and Chilli for Diageo,Australia,the
name behind the major spirits brands as well as Bunderberg Rum.
Chris is just the perfect fit for this job,as he lights up a room with his bright
smile and cheeky personality.And, of course,Chris never forgets his lines.

Sat.19thMarch.MARKET DAY

FORSTER FARMERS MARKET

Every 3rd Saturday of the month,the Forster Farmers Market is held under
the big,old fig trees next to the Information Centre.
On this gorgeous Autumn morning,I set off to the market,strolling along the 
foreshore,keeping pace with the cruiser,Amaroo as it heads off looking
for dolphins.Tha Amaroo does whale-watching cruises,too.

YUMMY

The market is in full swing,busy with people sampling and buying the fresh
produce and other goodies laid out before us.A band cheerily entertains us as
we brouse the various stalls.Macadamia nuts are a favourite of mine,as is
home made,spicy salsa and the veggies are so fresh,they almost jump into
my bag.
A lovely way to spend a morning.
farmersmarkets.org.au/markets/great-lakes-great.produce-market
amaroocruise.com.au/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wikiForster-New-South-Wales

Fri.18th March FOOTY FEVER

ROBBIN,THE FOOTY FAN

Now,here is where I probably will surprise you.I am a keen fan of AFL and
Hawthorn, last year's premiers,is my team.I grew up in Victoria,where every-
body barracks for a favourite team,usually following a family tradition.One
of my earliest memories is of a Tigers/ Hawks match in front of  80,000 
roaring fans at the mighty Melbourne Cricket Ground.I have had a fear of
crowds ever since.

WOMEN IN AFL

I am so envious of the young women who play in the rapidly expanding
women's Australian Rules leagues.As a kid,I could play footy with the
neighbourhood boys,but had to settle for the more ladylike sports like
tennis and netball.
The first female goal umpire caused a stir some years back,but now there
are women who will referee the senior AFL games,bouncing the Sherrin in the
middle to the cheers of the fans.Go for it, girls

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Womens-Australian-rules-football

Thurs 17th March ROB'S RECOMMENDATIONS

CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE

Through these pages,I am happy to recommend products that I have used
successfully,the businesses whose services I've enjoyed and things that I 
have heard about that merit a mention,here.
I am a canny consumer.Yes,I am looking for value for money,but I also
considerwhat is innovative,well designed for a purpose and what stands
out in a crowded market place.

THE CHEF'S TOOLBOX

My friend,Mal,is a representative for a range of cookware that you can try
before you buy.I love the idea of a group of friends cooking together,then
sitting down and literally,sharing the fruits of their labour.
Take a look at the product range.

                             http://mychefstoolbox.com.au/Malinda- Sherrard

                                     

Wed,16thMarch.CHEAPCHIC

BEAUTY ON A BUDGET

The products pictured below all come from my local supermarket.
I have sensitive skin,yet I have had no adverse reaction from the
use of any of these products.Rimmel and Mud are the brands for
eye make-up,lipstick and nail polish,Redwin make the Vitamin E
cream,that I use at night.The other products are homebrand,even
the foundation which is light and natural looking.
There is nothing pictured over $10.00,proving that you can look
good for less.

HOW COULD I RESIST?

Because I am so strict with my $$$,I can justify a breakout now
and then.Look what I found at Ice Design in Taree.
(www.icedesign.com.au)I just love this fringed,suede-style vest
over a winter weight cream shirt($15.00) from Big W.

THANK YOU

Thankyou to those of you who are leaving comments at the
bottom of my blogs.

15th March FASHION ON A FIXED INCOME

MORE DASH THAN CASH

I love clothes,but on a fixed income looking good on less money is a
challenge.I know what works for me.Narrow pants are the foundation
of my wardrobe.I can then mix and match with a variety of shirts and
tops.Occasionally,I will go with what's on trend e.g.the Bo Ho look.

COLOUR COMBOS.

Black and white,navy and white and khaki and white are colour combos
that always look fresh and smart.I add a pop of red,aqua or pink or my 
favourite,leopard print.

BASIC MUST HAVES.

* a black jacket
* tailored black pants
*skinny denim jeans
*a white shirt
*a black shirt
*a black cocktail dress
*black patent high heels
*boots,black or tan.
*a leather handbag
*well-fitting bras
And the best accessory is A BIG,WARM SMILE☺