I visited Ballarat Mechanics Institute last week with a view to joining. The women in the library were so helpful about joining and also told me a lot about some of the events that the Institute runs. It seemed like nothing was too much trouble. They answered all of my questions and sent me away with a wad of information about the Institute.

The Institute offers a library, history resources, book groups, venue/room bookings and probably more than I know about. The library has desk top computers that can be booked for patron use and Wifi service. MI is a very peaceful venue. I love our public libraries in Ballarat, but they are becoming increasingly noisy and crowded.

The books in the library have been well used. The collection can probably do with some new stock. (One way that this can happen is if the community get behind the Institute and join.) Having said this, there is still a wide variety of fiction and quite a few DVDs for loan. The heritage collection looks extremely interesting.

There are regular events that can be viewed on the Institute website - particularly, concerts and talks that are offered for a reasonable fee.

For $45 for a year's membership, I think it is worth supporting this organisation, especially if one is interested in learning, history and reading.

The building is a stunning heritage structure. It is well worth visiting and just looking around, if you are interested in local architecture.

Approximate cost: $45/per annum

Whenever I'm in Apollo Bay, I seem to end up having lunch or breakfast at the Sandy Feet Cafe. There is a good menu with lots of options at moderate prices. The most recent time, I had bacon and eggs in the middle of the day. Some places close off their breakfast menu before that - I appreciate the ones who run breakfast all day long. There is a range of cakes, if you're just after coffee and a sweet morsel. The coffee is excellent. There is also a huge stone urn of filtered water for customers.

I will be back. :)

Sandy Feet is not ostentatious. The floor is polished concrete, and the furniture is basic. But it is very clean and welcoming. The staff are helpful and friendly and I did not have to wait a long time for my meal.

Approximate cost: $15 breakfast

I booked this accommodation online & nominated that I would pay by cash. When I arrived, I discovered that the desk was unstaffed and we had to obtain the key from a vending machine. The method was quite secure. However, the key did not pop out of the machine and there was still the issue about payment. We intercomed for help and an ungracious man said he supposed he would have to send someone down. The woman who served us was quite helpful - we received our key and I paid. She said they usually take credit card payment from the online booking, so I'm not sure why the cash option was given. She accepted the cash.

The room itself was very nice. The deal included a spa bath, kitchenette, microwave oven, basic cutlery and dishes, small dining table and foxtel TV. It took me a while to work out foxtel which I don't have at home. There was no instruction sheet about the TV, nor was there a general information folder as one finds in most hotels.

The room was very comfortable and at the back of the resort, so I didn't get any noise in my room. I was travelling outside of holiday season, so it was very peaceful. It was a lovely location and the room was very clean. It was serviced every day.

There is a large spa facility at the front of the hotel, but this was also serviced by the reception area that appears to be mostly unstaffed. There is a tennis court at the back of the property. I'm not sure whether access to the court is part of the deal.

The only reason why I would not consider returning to this place is because of the odd customer service. It was a very cost effective deal, but I prefer to have someone at the desk when I arrive and depart.

There are lots of attractions around Anglesea and the drive along the coast is beautiful. There are a lot of options for accommodation along the coast and great deals around Autumn and Winter.

Approximate cost: $99/night

My stay at Atwood was for three nights. The staff were very helpful and friendly.

The hotel is right near the centre of town although it is slightly off the main road, so this helps with the noise factor. The room was a double standard which meant it was quite small. I believe the deluxe suites are larger and include microwave oven and spa baths. The suite was clean and the bed was comfy.

There is plenty of parking close to the rooms.

The only criticisms I have are that:

- I'm fairly sure that booking.com indicated that there would be a microwave in the room, but there was not. Not a huge deal, but it would have been helpful.

- I never did work out how to adjust the aircon. The room temp was acceptable, so I didn't pursue it.

Overall it was good for the price and I would stay there again if I was in Warrnambool. It was close to the town and not far from the beach. There are lots of attractions and pleasant scenery in the area.

Approximate cost: $95/night std room

A friend and I had coffee at L'Espresso this afternoon.

I was very impressed by the attentive service ethic of the staff. They were all polite and helpful and brought water to the table without needing to be asked. Turnover time between ordering and receiving our order was quite short.

The coffee was of reasonable quality and the berry friande with fresh cream was delicious - both reasonably priced.

The only thing that I didn't like was that the cafe is not very well lit. It was a dull and rainy day outside and this did not combine well with the subdued lighting in the cafe. I think this small matter needs attention. I will probably sit outside next time (weather permitting).

Overall L'Espresso is a good experience.

Approximate cost: $approx $7-8 coffee and friande

Creswick Pharmacy is conveniently located near the Creswick Medical Centre. The staff are very helpful, respectful and professional. I try to get most of my scripts filled there, because of the better level of service.

Apart from the core business of dispensing prescription medicines, the pharmacy has a full range of over-the-counter products that you would expect. They also have a range of gifts at a reasonable price and offer a digital photo processing service. The staff will happily assist if you cannot find what you need.

I like that the shop is uncluttered and spacious - waiting for scripts is usually a comfortable experience.

Approximate cost: $most scripts at standard prices

Ballarat gas and plumbing carried out a service on my gas heater. There was an issue immediately after and they very promptly returned to rectify the problem.

I found the plumbers to be very professional and the follow up was appreciated.

The heater has been going well ever since.

The only criticism I have of the Wendouree Library is the smallness of the collection. I have picked up some DVDs there and they have a reasonable selection of talking books.

Through the online catalogue, one can reserve books from any library in the Central Highlands library group and pick them up from Wendouree (or any other branch). This and the interlibrary loan service makes up for the lack of immediate resources.

The staff are very helpful and it's usually the same people every time. It's a very pleasant experience.

The library is well lit and there is comfortable seating for people who want to spend time in the library reading or studying. Due to lack of space, it's not always possible to get a table and chair, but there are also sofas.

As a free service, this is a spectacular resource to the community.

Approximate cost: $free, except for late return fines

I've been to Just Cuts quite a few times. The quality of the hair cut depends upon who you get on a given day. It concerns me that whenever I've been, there appear to be different people on duty. I suppose it might be a rostering thing, but there doesn't appear to be a chance to get a rapport going with one hairdresser. The hairdressers are usually respectful and friendly.

In general, the staff do what I asked for. I'm pretty definite about what I want.

The service experience was adequate, but I have found another hairdresser in Ballarat that I'm happier with. Would return if I couldn't get in with the hairdresser that I now use.

Pros:
1. Affordable.
2. You can walk in without an appointment and most times they can take you straight away.

Approximate cost: $27 basic cut

A beautiful old building which houses the Convent gallery, a gift shop and the Bad Habits cafe. It is a delight sipping coffee or something stronger and looking out at the surrounding garden. Some of the highlights have included the florentines and the devonshire tea.

The cafe is licensed, but we discovered during the Summer that they did not chill their beer glasses. My friend elected to drink from the bottle instead. I hope they are looking into chilling their glasses for next Summer. Nor was there adequate cooling; admittedly it was a brutally hot day.

The only other criticism, is not anyone's fault. The seating area is very small and so you may find that you arrive and there is not a table to spare. However, one can always enjoy the art work in the gallery or wander through the gardens until there is a free table.

The service is excellent and the staff are friendly and helpful. I look forward to many more visits. Make sure you allow lots of time so that you can enjoy the full experience.

Approximate cost: $varies