For the past few months I have been transporting a family member to fortnightly treatments at the wonderful Echuca Regional Health service.
With time to kill between appointments, we have found ourselves drawn to the Port area.
I wonder if town residents understand what a gem they have here?
Our daily pattern has evolved, with lunch generally sharing a Margherita wood-fired pizza at the Star Hotel. Just like a typical Roman pizza.
On most days, we follow that with an ice-cream at the Penny Arcade next door. Typical Italian ice-cream made on site and so delicious, much of our travelling time is taken by choosing which flavour we will indulge in today (Echuca butter toffee or whisky marmalade — or maybe mascarpone?).
The fudge they also make I find a little sweet; however, nothing revives the smiles of tired nurses quite like a gift box of it.
On cooler days we sometimes skip the ice-cream and head to the chocolate shop on the corner, where they also make their product on site.
Exactly two pralines each is enough for a delicious post-lunch sweet treat.
Then we browse the lovely quirky shops along High St.
Having access to such high-quality locally made products at very reasonable prices is rare in regional areas, Echucaites are so lucky to have them, but I often find locals don’t even know about them.
Although the health treatments can sometimes be difficult, my cousin and I always look forward to our ‘Italian day out’ of pizza and ice-cream as a real treat, one that allows us to experience genuine Italian-style quality food and relive our holiday memories at the same time.
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