Category Archives: Local Culture

Navel Gazing

Posted on 8 January 2021 by sheg4184

Happy New Year to you all. For those of you still contemplating weeks or months of lockdown, my sincere commiserations. In South Australia, while we remain wary, we have enjoyed a simple but unrestrained Christmas season. And I don’t mean … Continue reading →

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On the Road Again

Posted on 14 December 2020 by sheg4184

After the state-wide panic of a six day Covid lockdown, our brief foray into isolation barely lasted 24 hours. A storm in a teacup? A flash in the pan? Miraculously, two days later, we were able to reignite plans to … Continue reading →

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Gluttony

Posted on 15 November 2020 by sheg4184

“There are those people who can eat one piece of chocolate, one piece of cake, drink one glass of wine. There are even people who smoke one or two cigarettes a week. And then there are people for whom one … Continue reading →

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‘Where would we be without water?’

Posted on 30 September 2020 by sheg4184

I grew up in the driest state on the driest continent in the world. My childhood was full of drought warnings, water restrictions and murky brown bath water pumped all the way from the River Murray.Anyone with a television in … Continue reading →

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Scones & Cream & Camellias

Posted on 22 September 2020 by sheg4184

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 sheg4184

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 sheg4184

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 sheg4184

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 sheg4184

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 sheg4184

‘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 →

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