"Curious, Playful and Ever-Magical - a Day with the Dolphins..."
The Reef is home to a group of ‘bottlenose’ dolphins, all born there and left to their own devices. It’s entirely their choice whether they want to be in contact with visitors, by swimming up to the piers or approach guided tours of snorkelers and divers. Their daily routines include playing, socialising and even courting...!
Getting Lost with "Travels"
In 1997, I was poking around in second-hand bookstores, looking for good reads to take with me on a trip to East Africa. I stumbled upon a dog-eared copy of Michael Crighton's 'Travels' and purchased it for $1.25. Little did I know that it would become one of my favourite books and that I'd re-read it so many times that, finally, I'd have to go out and buy a new copy, 18 years later...
Tea and Biscuits fit for a Monarch - Fortnum & Mason Outdoes Itself!
Ooooh, these look good too. They’re a selection of biscuits in a beautiful keepsake tin which I’m informed plays ‘God Save the King’ as it spins! What’s inside. Well apparently, sweet treats that invoke the memories of the Commonwealth (of which the late Queen Elizabeth II was particularly fond). These include Canadian cranberry, Fijian ginger, South African macadamia nut and British clotted cream delights…
Red, White and Blue on London’s Piccadilly Street
Piccadilly is awash with red, white and blue union jack flags, fluttering gaily in the breeze. The lovely Burlington Arcade (which runs parallel to Bond Street and is a marvelous example of Regency architecture) has rolled out the red carpet (well, it’s actually more red/pink) and hung flags with ‘CR’ (‘Charles Regina’) all along its enclosure, and with the light streaming in from the glass windows above, it looks heavenly.
God Save the King - The Coronation Beckons
After the public outpouring of grief, the ten days of national mourning and the knowledge that a glorious and golden Elizabethan era was over, plans were put in motion for a Coronation. It’s now twenty four hours before the ‘Big Day’ and I decide to head into central London, to try and capture some of the atmosphere with my camera. I decide to wander around aimlessly, and begin in Covent Garden…
A Nation Ahead of its Time - Finland and the Legendary "Baby Box"
"The Teacher's Pet" podcast - what happened to Lynette Dawson?
Chris and Lynette Dawson are living the dream in the Sydney suburbs…a happy marriage, a beautiful home close to the beach, and two young children, Chris (once a rugby star and local hero) is a high school teacher and Lyn a devoted mother. But in January 1982, Lyn disappeared without a trace, leaving behind her children, her personal belongings and no note…
A Day of Disruption That Quickly Turned Violent
It’s hot and sticky and suddenly the air is charged. Then, out of nowhere, I see horses charging towards protestors and hear an enormous ‘bang’ about 100 metres from me (yes, really that close). People are screaming, yelling, running for cover. It transpires that a cop has thrown a stun grenade into the crowd (without permission) and it’s hit someone on the side of his face - his ear…
Taking it to the Knesset
As far as the eye can see are blue and white flags, with the iconic Star of David symbol in their middle, held high by thousands and thousands of people who, like us, have travelled from out of town to make our voices heard. From the north and the south of the country, they’ve made long, exhausting journeys. Many have taken a day’s leave from work. Many more have brought their children and quite a few women have tiny babies swaddled to their chests…
Returning Home - With Trepidation
If this legislation is passed, it means that the government can override any decision the Supreme Court makes…with a simple majority (that is a majority of one vote). What it might open the door to does not bear thinking about…att the very least, it means a concentration of power in the hands of any ruling party. At its worst, it means an end to Judicial Review. In effect, the government will shackle the courts…
"My Brilliant Friend" - a compelling and absorbing Neapolitan novel
Angelic and Ingenious - a Visit to Rome's Pantheon
Trastevere: You Stole My Heart - Part II
Yes, it’s my view that Trastevere is best enjoyed by indulging in what I call aimless wandering. My recommendation is to set off without a cellphone, or even an old-fashioned paper map, and get yourself lost. Piazzas, churches, tiny streets…there’s nothing here that will fail to disappoint. And, personally, I could walk these streets every day for the rest of my life and not get bored. It’s really that beautiful…
Trastevere: You Stole My Heart - Part I
The tiny, narrow streets are reminiscent of medieval times; its alleyways a veritable labyrinth. Packed full of small stores (selling artsy clothes and bijoux jewellry), it’s the perfect place to get lost in Rome. Traditional thin-crust pizza, artisan gelato, splendid churches, hipster bars and coffee shops aplenty, it would take a true Hard-Hearted Hannah not to be charmed…
Rome's Colosseum - the Ultimate Symbol of Imperial Power
Inside, the tiered seating covered a huge underground area in which cages and machinery were based. The floor of the arena itself was wooden but covered in sand, which served a dual purpose - to stop gladiators from slipping, but also to soak up blood spilt after gruesome fights. Lions and tigers were hoisted up by winches, through some 36 different trapdoors, brought to Rome on barges that sailed up the Nile, a labour-intensive and costly exercise if ever there was one..
Macabre and Morbid - a trip to the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
The crypt contains the remains of over 3,500 bodies - it is believed that they were monks (friars) and their followers. Set out in six small chapels (all named after different body parts, including pelvises and leg bones) the skulls and bones you will see are not laid about randomly - on the contrary, they are put together in quite elaborate displays…
Tuscany Beckons
It’s rainy and chilly (but we have fires) and, unlike in summer, where we eat al fresco and splash around in the pool, under a scorching sun, now we’re curled up under blankets in the evening, after dinner, all gossiping and laughing. Lucretia - who’s incredibly good at drawing, baking and crafts - is building a gingerbread house, made out of pretzels, smarties and other treats. She’s not sure anyone will even want to eat it - but it looks fabulous…
Through the Doors of Westminster Hall
The Queue to End all Queues - Part III
We’re tired, for sure, and our feet are aching but as we pass Westminster, there’s a surge of enthusiasm from all eight of us - because we know that we can finally turn right at Lambeth Bridge, towards the Houses of Parliament! And then I stare at the next line of zigzags, which goes on as far as the eye can see. This is ‘soft security’ apparently and although I don’t realise it, it’s going to take us almost two hours to get through. ..