• The Water Doctor’s Daughters

    The intriguing story of wealthy 19th century water-cure physician, Dr James Loftus Marsden and his children, who grew up knowing Charles Darwin and Alfred Tennyson. Two girls died in suspicious circumstances resulting in sensational trials. Available via Amazon and major Bookstores.

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  • All Along the River: Tales from the Thames

    An engaging and humorous armchair read & companion volume to more practical guide books. Both quirky and fun, it is packed with information about literary associations, local recipes, folklore and a good many murders and mysteries! Available via Amazon and major Bookstores.

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Blue Mountains – latest article

  • Rooftop apples.
    LATE SUMMER WALK IN BLACKHEATH
    Mid February, and in my  Blackheath garden the banksia serratas are in bloom. They are loved by all the honeyeaters, but especially Wattlebirds and Eastern Spinebills. Bees are visiting the native lilly-pilly flowers on the bush outside Slurps café, in Wentworth Street. I know there must be...
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History – latest article

  • Tarwyn Park homestead
    THE FLEMING CASE; THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION
    FOLLOWING ON FROM THE TRIAL OF TOM FLEMING Following the acquittal of Tom Fleming over the death by poisoning of his wife Betty, his mistress Norma Lokkerbol became the target of  public outrage.  On September 9, 1951 The Sunday Mail (Brisbane) published the following piece after speaking...
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Humour – latest article

  • Wood duck
    CIRQUE DU DUCK!
    I live  just around the corner from the Blackheath duck pond, in the beautiful Blue Mountains. I’ve developed a special relationship with the  Australian wood ducks who live there. They are so  good natured and engaging. It occurred to me that they must get a little bored...
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Travel – latest article

  • Pigs at Kadoorie Farm
    KADOORIE FARM AND GARDENS
    ORIGINS OF THE FARM Following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II, many farmers were destitute and unable to produce sufficient food for the enormous influx of refugees. In 1951, Hong Kong businessman Lord Lawrence Kadoorie and his brother Sir Horace Kadoorie, formed an...
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Latest Blog Posts

  • Lunch at Silks, Affogato
    LUNCH AT SILK’S IN LOVELY LEURA
    Is Leura  the prettiest village in the Blue Mountains? Even as a proud Blackheathen I have to admit it is. This mural features the cool climate plants that thrive here in the Mountains; rhododendrons, camellias, spring bulbs etc.   My partner  Rob and I booked into Silks...
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  • Thormbill on the Valentine post.
    A BIRD LOVER’S VALENTINE CARD
    When you have a large garden filled with birds there are lots of  opportunities to create photographic images for occasions such as Christmas and New Year.  So why not Valentine’s Day?  Admittedly I’ve been married over 40 years, but Rob is still my knight in shining armour....
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  • LUNCH AT PINS ON LURLINE
    LUNCH AT PINS ON LURLINE
      So where could my partner and I go for a special celebration lunch in the Upper Blue Mountains? Our preference was for somewhere we’d never been before. After many recommendations on our local community site we decided to try Pins on Lurline, located in a lovely...
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  • Raffa and the Joker, Australian Open final 2012
    MY BAD BARGAIN WITH RAFFA IN 2012
    Seven years ago I was seriously ill in a Sydney Hospital with a hideous, undiagnosed condition. It was affecting my brain, my heart, my muscles…. and just about everything else. Part of my stabilizing medication was a very high dose of the steroid Prednisone. Among the  side...
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