I've recently developed the "Don't let your best friend move in because she'll bring her boyfriend too" mantra. Other than that Home is most definitely a feeling!

Kerrie, I live in Victoria and my pool in completely internal, that is to say it is part of the house and not an addition to the house. I planned to have an external door with the required regulation lock height and seld closing mechanism. Hubby was dead against this door and so I agreed to have a window instead, not long after, we found out that the laws had changed and you are no longer permitted to access to an indoor pool from the outside, so it was just sheer luck that we changed the door to a window. Further, when we purchased the awning windows (2) with regulation restricted 10cm windouts, our building inspector tried to tell us that the windows weren't allowed and that they would have to remain shut and we were also going to have to concrete "bars" into the brickwork on the outside. I argued that regulation pool fences had the same 10cm restriction and after contacting the Victorian Building Commission, I have confirmation in writing, that the windows are deemed to be adequately safe and the inspector has accepted the finding. My access to our pool now, is only from the inside of the home obviously and if that becomes illegal, then we'll just have to sit and look at the pool longingly through the window, as there won't be any access at all ha-ha I'm not advocating that people argue with regulations but if I hadn't investigated my options further, who knows where I would be, having spent $1,500 on these two windows with laminated glass and how beautiful would my brickwork have looked with prisson bars attached. Cheers, Barbara

The Grounds at Alexandria for a relaxed but busy vibe and their food and coffee philosophy as well as their gardens. Longrain at Surry Hills for the betel leaf starters, the to die for carmelized pork hock and their communal tables which work for big groups.

Yes, life goes on for me too, always something to do and a brisk walk always starts the day well and is warming too. Unfortunately we have just as many weeds that like to grow in winter as in summer, so the gardening never really stops but it is a great place to be on sunny days. Heavier work can also be done over winter before the heat of summer. I also like to catch up with friends for lunches in sheltered outdoor eating areas many cafes provide these days. On the really cold, wet days I like to take time out and indulge in my hobbies, winter is a great time to catch up with them and still feel productive.