BurbleChaz

We are still trying to work out the best way to do grocery shopping. There are out-of-town supermarkets, but they are all a long way to go for a quick shop. There are a few supermarket mini-stores in the CBD, and two reasonably large ones - one at the QV shopping centre and one at Melbourne Central Station. Since none of these actually meet all our fussy requirements, we decided to do what the locals recommend. We went to the market.

Queen Victoria Market is huge, and sells everything from hammers to hoummus. You can get almost anything there, if you know where to look, can cope with the noise and are not afraid of pickpockets. Like most markets, it opens and closes early. This does not accord with our normal Saturday behaviour.

We hauled ourselves out into the harsh light of dawn slightly before elevenish, and pottered over there. This was not our first visit - only the first time we've been there while food is still on sale. It's a hypnotic experience. The meat and fish area has about 50 stalls selling fresh protein, some of it still putting up significant resistance. Stall holders shout their wares, deliveries are made, animals are dismantled and people are relieved of cash.

We came away with the finest piece of rump steak I have ever seen (1Kg - $8), and a couple of fish. Bream of some description.

After the shopping, we took the Gas Guzzler for a spin in the general direction of Brimbank Park. We hadn't refuelled the Guzzler since Torquay. Since then we've driven it along the Great Ocean Road to Apollo Bay, back to Melbourne, out to Lysterfield Park, and home. The fuel warning light came on as we reached the end of the tollway. Tension mounted. We diverted from our original flightplan, and went looking for a fuel station. After ten kilometres of increasingly strained conversation, almost leading to personal comment (yes, I know I should have filled it up earlier), we found three within 100 metres of each other. I have never been so happy to fill a vast, enormous capacious tank. Astonishingly, the beast seems to have done 42mpg (14.9 Km/l). I may have to stop referring to it as the Guzzler.

The park has interesting topography. The river loops through it in a great horseshoe, and has left ridges and troughs as it has crossed the plateau. Melbourne's international airport is about 3kms away, so the general area must be pretty flat. The park has lots of signs warning of snakes, so mostly we stayed on the wide tarmac paths. We did manage to find a few rougher bits, and saw our second wild animal - a rabbit. Oh dear. If I'd been better armed, the dinner menu dinner would have been different. There are some pictures over at the other place. Go and have a look. I'll be checking.

We cooked the fish the easy way - wrapped in foil, with a lump of butter and a slice of lemon. Bake for 30 minutes at 200C.

Inspecting the produce

Looks good

Served with asparagus, courgettes and Turkish bread. The fish is very mild, almost to the point of blandness. Next time we may try something a little more assertive. The wine is Taylor's 2004 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Meaty, grassy, with a clean, ice finish. Would have again.