Perth

So here we are in Perth. We've got a room all together in the Mercure right in the centre, and as I type Fiona and I have just dined on Pad Thai and Singapore Noodles from a takeaway, washed down with the crisp, precise Evans and Tate Classic White 2006 Margaret River and Madfish Premium Red 2004, which is spicy with nice blackcurranty definition and an almost European savouriness. The boys have also dined (I won't say what their takeaway was), and are watching Charlotte's Web. I finally have my laptop connected for the first time in a week.

Tomorrow we have half a day to explore Perth before heading back to Singapore. Then Fiona has the fun task of returning home with the boys, while I stay on to edit a conference on bird flu. I've enjoyed my time in Australia. I could live here, you know. It would be great to make ageworthy, more European styled wines in Australia, which I think has some fantastic terroirs. I reckon a Margaret River Malbec would be a good place to start.