Category Archives: Local Culture

Scones & Cream & Camellias

Posted on 22 September 2020 by

The camellia against the moss of the temple, the violet hues of the Kyoto mountains, a blue porcelain cupthis sudden flowering of pure beauty at the heart of ephemeral passion: is this not something we all aspire to?~ Muriel Barbery … Continue reading →

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A Sweet Escape

Posted on 21 July 2020 by

While current news reports still place covid at the top of the list, in South Australia we have been – dare I say it? – corona free for many weeks. Although we are currently keeping the Victorians at bay, visitors … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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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