The only thing I don’t love about Melbourne is the cold. When I moved here, I had to throw away half of my wardrobe because it wasn’t warm enough to withstand those punishing sub-ten-degree temperatures. I’d spend most of Autumn and Winter hibernating in my apartment, whingeing on Facebook about how hard it is to get a decent meal when you can’t even leave your house.

Things have changed since that first difficult year (for starters, I can get great local food delivered to my house by bicycle messengers – technology is a wonderful thing!) I feel like I’ve acclimatised a bit, and I don’t stay at home too much. There are so many great things to do in Autumn that I’d hate to miss out on.

Escorting during the colder months can be difficult. It’s hard to feel sexy when you have to put on thermals under your party dress before you go out to an appointment. Ditto for warm jackets – what’s the point of wearing amazing couture if it’s hidden under so many layers of padding that you look like the Michelin Man? I’ll often find myself wearing several layers to get from my house to a hotel lobby, then stripping them all off in the elevator so that I can arrive at my client’s door in only the ‘bare’ essentials. 

On the other hand, Autumn can be a very sensual time. The cold and the shorter days stimulate a need for warmth, company and intimacy that is very satisfying when addressed by hot chocolate, conversations in front of the fireplace and lots of skin-on-skin contact under thick blankets. Emotional and physical warmth go well together.

I love experiencing Melbourne Autumn by visiting my favourite places. Watching the leaves fall in Fitzroy Gardens is a quiet delight. Drinking mulled wine at the Boat Builders Yard in Southbank; another wonderful pastime. Dinner at any old Melbourne pub – preferably one with a big open fireplace – is a winner too. Good company is the essential ingredient for all of the above, and I couldn’t imagine enjoying Autumn without my friends and lovers by my side.

If you need some warming up as the weather gets cooler, I’m offering an Autumn special:  book two hours of cozy company, receive a bonus hour for free. For the months of March, April and May. Please visit my profile to get in touch, and mention this offer.