We've arrived in Sydney. Lesley's cousin Pam greets us from the balcony, she's waited up for us. (By the way, that's not Pam's car in the photo).

It's sunny for a spring day. But there is something wrong here, after choosing an ideal spot to catch some warmth in the still cool air. The sun moves from east to west via north......fooling us momentarily. I have been told that I have to earn my keep on this trip by washing, ironing, shopping and cooking (beats working), so I get some practice in on the first item. Keep watching this column to see how the rest of the tasks go.

Later, Lesley and I take a local walk with Pam's retriever Abbey. Pam has a rest as she's recovering from mild pneumonia. But for dinner she pulls off the most beautiful steak with peppercorns, onions and mushrooms. I wonder if we'll ever have such an excellent meal ever again, all four ingredients making up a recipe for success. The trick, it seems, is getting the combination just right and finely balanced to suit everybody's taste.