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.