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A Taste of Paris in Katoomba 🥐

A Taste of Paris in Katoomba 🥐

I do realize that Katoomba is a long way from Paris,  but we Blue Mountains residents adore  croissants as much as anyone else around the world.  This sulphur crested cockatoo is no different. But which ones to choose?   Well don’t look at me mate, it’s entirely  your

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A HOLLYWOOD DREAM

A HOLLYWOOD DREAM

  Around the world, Hollywood was a magical place in the eyes  of  those struggling during the Great Depression. Tasmania was no different. In 1933 the following article appeared in a Hobart publication.  Starstruck young people sent in their photographs and vital statistics and dared to dream.

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Mutton Birds- an Acquired Taste! 😎

Mutton Birds- an Acquired Taste!  😎

Mutton Birds, what an odd, seasonal delicacy they were in my 1950s Tasmanian childhood. Oily, salty and yes,  with a very strong aroma. 😎 I’m not sure whether I actually  liked them,  or whether I just enjoyed the novelty of something so different. I had no idea

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THE ‘PRICE’ OF A PORTRAIT

THE 'PRICE' OF A PORTRAIT

  A portrait of Senator Jacinta Price almost cost the Library of NSW its CEO. Here is some background. John Vallance was appointed State Librarian  of New South Wales in  August 2017. His mission was, in his own words to, ‘Turn the Library inside out.’   By this

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THE ‘DEVIL’ TO CONTAIN! 👿

THE 'DEVIL' TO CONTAIN! 👿

In June 1906 the  liner Omrah sailed from Australia to Great Britain. Arriving  in Plymouth it unloaded what was then called a Tasmanian wolf (A Thylacine) and a Tasmanian devil. It’s a miracle the devil  disembarked, as it had escaped its enclosure  soon after the ship left

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A RADICAL CHANGE FOR SATIN BOWERBIRDS

A RADICAL CHANGE FOR SATIN BOWERBIRDS

I have been fascinated by satin bowerbirds for many years, particularly the way the collections of  blue ornaments by the adult males reflects our social history. Long gone are the days when blue berries and bird feathers were the favoured items. Most of the treasure these days

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The Eucalyptus Rope.

The Eucalyptus Rope.

Gardens are places of wonder, especially one like mine that borders the Australian bush. Here in the NSW Blue Mountains  a  eucalyptus tree was the source of great fun recently, but also a sad tale of pride coming before a fall.            

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The Wall Garden

The Wall Garden

I’ve always wanted a walled garden, with espaliered fruit trees and roses growing  against old bricks.  Unfortunately this is completely out of my reach. For many years my husband and I owned a holiday lodge on an old estate at Marlow in the UK called Harleyford. Only

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SISTERS…THE SAME BUT SO DIFFERENT

SISTERS...THE SAME BUT SO DIFFERENT

  During the formative years of one’s life there is no-one closer than an only sister who is around your own age.  My sister Robbie and I were born  just 16 months apart (I am the youngest) Until we were eight  or nine we even  slept in

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MAGNOLIA SYRUP

MAGNOLIA SYRUP

Home made magnolia syrup….what a joy this was to make and how delicious. I used the petals of the beautiful Magnolia stellata, one of earliest trees to flower  here in the Blue Mountains. The mauve pink cups of Magnolia Soulangeana would be fine too. Here is a

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