Pinot, you are not stupid!
The Gold Coast was named that in the 1950s to sell the land, the climate is like Cannes, it is very hot and humid in summer.
I am in Melbourne, which is like Paris - we even have a brown river that runs through our town. I live in the outer suburbs, near the beach in a small wooden house.
It has been a strange summer here, and it looks like being a cold winter.
My day - Rainy of course!
Seriously, I work from 8.30 am to 5 pm, I ride my bike or walk to work.
I ride to the shops most of the time, unless I am buying a lot of stuff, then I drive.
I have 3 LQS nearby, I buy from them and the Net.
When were you in Sydney? I lived there many years ago.
I love Quiltmania magazine - it has articles about France in it.
Most of our fabric comes from the USA, but I do buy some from local manufacturers like this one:
http://www.auntycookie.com/
Aboriginal designs - I buy them from the USA - they are cheaper . . .