• 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

  • Cherry blossom
    THE OLD CHERRY TREES OF BLACKHEATH
    From the Lithgow Mercury on October 12 1953; In 1953, the women residents of Park Avenue in the Blue Mountains village of Blackheath decided their street needed a little beautification.  Let’s face it, the very  word ‘avenue’ suggests a  tree lined promenade.  Perhaps they also felt a...
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History – latest article

  • Depression era family, NSW
    DEPRESSION ERA DINING
    One feature of  cooking during the Great Depression, especially in rural areas, was home made kitchen ware.  I especially like the flour sifter; Kerosene was widely used in Australia for heating and lighting, and the  empty  tins provided the raw material for all manner of makeshift household...
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Humour – latest article

  • Wood duck on one leg.
    WHACKY WOOD DUCKS!
    Patrick  and Polly, the Australian wood ducks are a very entertaining couple.  Patrick is just a little bit of an Aussie bogan. He loves his mullet cut;                 They reside at Blackheath duck pond in the Blue Mountains of New...
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Travel – latest article

  • Trevor Hennock
    The Farmer’s Fairground Organ
    CLEVER HANDS CELEBRATING THE PAST When Stanley Wennock died last year aged 83, he left a special legacy. The  retired  farmer from Canberra had been able to turn his hand to almost anything. Farmers have to be multi-skilled and Stan certainly was!  Over a period of three...
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Latest Blog Posts

  • Lily-of-the-valley
    Lily-of-the-Valley; So Sweet and Gentle.
    Lily-of-the-valley (convallaria) is surely the most ethereal of the spring flowering bulbs, with a delicate fragrance.  The botanical name is from convallis, which is Latin for valley. It thrives in a cool, semi shaded position.  Here is some cultivation advice published in 1930, but which is just as relevant...
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  • Wattle bird sipping ajuga nectar
    AJUGA; HERO OF THE GARDEN!
    Because much of my garden is in at least semi-shade  I grow lots of the shade-loving ground-cover ajuga. Its bronze foliage contrasts well with silver grey lambs ears or dusty miller.  It will thrive in the most challenging of locations.   After good spring  rain recently  the...
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  • Wood duck on one leg.
    WHACKY WOOD DUCKS!
    Patrick  and Polly, the Australian wood ducks are a very entertaining couple.  Patrick is just a little bit of an Aussie bogan. He loves his mullet cut;                 They reside at Blackheath duck pond in the Blue Mountains of New...
    Read more →
  • Satin bowerbirds
    WHAT A CLEVER BOWERBIRD!
    EARLY DAYS AT THE BOWER It was mid August when I first spotted a satin bowerbird’s boudoir in Memorial Park, Blackheath. I was very impressed by the location. It was secluded and private, but just a short flight to the village shops and cafes. The bower itself...
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