À l'Envers

Australia is enormous. Between entering Australian airspace and landing in my hometown of Brisbane is over 4 hours, time I like to spend gazing out at the impressive landscape as it changes from colourful coastline to deep red centre and back again. 95% of the country is uninhabited and if you visited 1 new beach a day it would take you 29 years to see them all.

All that to say flying is the best form of travel between big cities so I cheerfully lined up for my bunny-hop to Melbourne rather than a two day drive. The last time I visited was over 20 years ago when I was invited down to judge a modelling competition (yes I’ve had many lives) so I was excited to experience the city again. In under 24 hours I confirmed that Albert’s wine bar is as good as promised, Prahran market rivals my Parisian local, and they take their coffee very seriously. Box ticked for another 20 years.

It made sense to stop in Sydney on the way back to kiss some of my closest friends, wave to my younger brother and walk my favourite coastal trail. I squeezed in dinner at Club Rose Bay, swimming in Bronte (we have this photo of the ocean pool on our wall at home), ice-cream in Bondi, lazed an afternoon away at Watson’s Bay Hotel and soaked up the atmosphere in my dream city.

Back in Queensland we fed kangaroos, admired koalas and even saw a few snakes and spiders (on purpose, not in the wild thank you) which thrilled the kids. I’ve been a woman on a mission, determined to see as many people and do as many activities as jet lag permitted, despite the fact my brain has remained resolutely mushy.

Included on any perfect visit home is a few days at Noosa, a chic little coastal town that graced us with perfect weather and wild turtle sightings, where we alternated from pool to beach, only pausing to top up sunscreen or add another ice-cream to the tally (no matter what anyone says know that Massimo’s is the best).

“It’ll be fine” I replied breezily when friends asked about our return flights to France, and in our small scheme of things it is fine, cancelled flights easily replaced via an alternative route. With family living in Tehran I’m well aware there’s more at stake than a mild delay. We’ll get back to Paris soon enough.

Have a great week,

- Emily

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Cheese we’re eating this week:

• Babybert - a bite sized Camembert made from South Australian cow’s milk.

• Little Kid - a petit fresh goat’s milk cheese with a creamy texture and delicate rind.

• Black Truffle Rebel Cheddar - a semi-mild cow’s milk cheddar with a light dusting of truffle powder.

All three cheeses were from James Street Market.

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Real Life Brisbane Photo

Nope.