Category Archives: Local Culture

Thailand: First Impressions

Posted on 4 May 2020 by

So, it’s 1994.  We have just landed in Thailand, amid the chaos of Bangkok traffic, pollution, and humidity thick as golden syrup, heavy as a winter duvet. I have never been to South East Asia before. I am overwhelmed by … Continue reading →

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Staccato

Posted on 27 April 2020 by

Obituary  He was my favourite poet through high school. He died on April Fool’s Day. Not corona virus – not everyone does – but old age. I didn’t know till today. The obituary says Bruce Dawe was a postman. A … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Lifestyle, Local Culture | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

A Feast of Birds

Posted on 31 March 2020 by

Galahs, of the blushing, watermelon-pink breasts, squawk and gnaw at the bark of grey-skinned gums The neighbour’s palomino pigeons swoop and loop like fighter pilots in formation, banking through a hair’s breadth between branches Down below, the diminutive and dainty … Continue reading →

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Shoo fly, don’t bother me!

Posted on 15 March 2020 by

‘Flies are of course always irksome, but the Australian variety distinguishes itself with its very particular persistence. If an Australian fly wants to be up your nose or in your ear, there is no discouraging him. Flick at him as … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Lifestyle, Local Culture | 2 Comments

‘You’re the avocado to my toast!’

Posted on 7 March 2020 by

“Truthfully this is one ‘recipe’ … I make and eat most often! … It’s the holy trinity of Vegenaise, avocado and salt that makes this like a favorite pair of jeans — so reliable and easy and always just what … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Food & Wine, Local Culture | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Recapturing Charmian

Posted on 4 February 2020 by

In 1964, the Australian born writers Charmian Clift and George Johnson returned to Sydney with their three children after fifteen years abroad. Over the next five years, Clift would write more than 250 essays for The Sydney Morning Herald and … Continue reading →

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RIP Carlos Celdran

Posted on 12 October 2019 by

It was with real sadness that I read the news of the death of Carlos Celdran in Madrid this week. As the story broke, there was recognition and regret on the Facebook page of every friend I had in Manila, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Burnt Toast

Posted on 26 August 2019 by

‘My mother burns toast as surely as the sun rises each morning… I am nine now and I have never seen butter without black bits in it.’ ~ Nigel Slater The Other Palace is a terrific little theatre only a … Continue reading →

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Glorious Gardens

Posted on 16 June 2019 by

Spring is rolling into summer, and although the weather may not be participating, the fields and hedgerows are lush and green – even more so, perhaps, thanks to days of heavy rain. It wasn’t exactly what we were expecting though, … Continue reading →

Posted in England, History, Lifestyle, Local Culture | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Few of My Favourite Things

Posted on 27 May 2019 by

It sometimes happens that the town child is more alive to the fresh beauty of the country than a child who is country born. ~ Beatrix Potter I first came across Hannah Dale’s designs in a National Trust shop and … Continue reading →

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