Mrs B :-D Hello!
I sincerely hope you do join in the swap, Australian fabric is fantastic. I subscribe to Quilts Down Under and have found the fabric available lovely.
I live in Scotland and have travelled in France and Spain and I too have had difficulty finding straight forward fabric shops, of course it doesn't help if you don't speak the language too well!!
Where are you in Australia? I've been to Queensland and loved it. My daughter lives in Brisbane, we hope to get over again next year (finances allowing.........)
Sue ;)