Industry Beans is a great little breakfast spot on Sydney’s York Street…..at number 40. If you are on the way to work you can grab a coffee and a bakery snack (or even a bag of their specialty coffee beans to take home). When there is time
Read more →The penetrating call of the Australian native Eastern Whipbird is actually made by a pair of birds. The male gives the long ‘crack’ of the whip, to which the female responds with a funny little choo-choo noise. It’s a wonderful thing to hear. In the old days
Read more →This is a guest post from my friend Wendy Moline. Wendy came across some old family photos of various motor vehicles, and I was enchanted by them. However, the first image is a very special drawing. In bygone days My first trip in motorised transport was in
Read more →The forerunner of Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum was The Technological Museum, located in Harris Street Ultimo. Its purpose built home, completed in 1893, is now incorporated within the vast University of Technology campus. In 1921 there was a robbery at the museum, which went un-noticed for several weeks.
Read more →Growing fruit in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales is a challenge, and apples are no exception. Oh dear, so much competition from the wildlife, including bush rats, possums, parrots and satin bowerbirds! I suspect a possum is the culprit in the following photo. Crimson rosella
Read more →In the late 19th century Albert Higgs established a profitable boot and shoe store in William Street, Darlinghurst. The location became known as Higgs’ Corner. Custom-made footwear drew wealthy city customers, while country folk could order from illustrated catalogues. The following advertisement appeared in The Catholic Press
Read more →How beautiful Australia’s Eastern Water Skinks are, with their gorgeous, coppery colouring. My associate Editor Des has made friends with the family that live under our old cement terrace, here at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. There are actually two branches of the same family, one in
Read more →For years, in the centre of my Blue Mountains garden, I had a bowl of grape hyacinths sitting on an old terracotta pipe. It was an interesting feature; rustic and simple. However, as surrounding shrubbery grew it became shaded and half the bulbs failed to flower. One
Read more →Remember The Summit, that revolving restaurant towering above the city? It closed for renovations in 2012 and re-opened as O Bar & Dining. My partner Rob took me there recently for a significant birthday celebration. Due to the wretched Covid19 Rob and I hadn’t been to Sydney
Read more →Honestly, it has been so damn wet in the Blue Mountains this summer, especially in Blackheath. Drip drip,drip, through the trees. It’s enough to drive you cuckoo….haha, that’s a joke because I am a cuckoo, a rather handsome brown one. 🤣 Well I’m more dove really…..defo not
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