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
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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 in our stone walling and under our old cement terrace, here at Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. There are actually two branches of
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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
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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 →The cuckoo dove is a delightful bird; gentle and trusting. However, the awful weather in the Blue Mountains that has tested us all is just as unpleasant for our feathered friends. Here is one story from a suffering soul. A CUCKOO’S COMPLAINT Honestly, it has been so
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Mention the term ’colonial architect’ in New South Wales and most people would respond with the name Francis Greenway. That is quite understandable, but let’s bring another deserving character out of the shadows. Who better to speak of John Cliffe Watts’ ability and character than Elizabeth Macquarie?
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After tough times with bushfires in the Blue Mountains last year we locals may have dreamed of celebrating Christmas in some exciting, faraway spot in 2020. Well, it was not to be. Time to hunker down in our own little world! 😍 DECK THE HALLS…. Who needs
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The thing I remember most about the Ulverstone Hospital is taking eggs to school in the 1950s for their annual Egg Appeal. Each was wrapped in newspaper by my mother and packed into an empty Weetbix box. I was fascinated to read a report in The Advocate
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Recently, Petra Manos posted a photo on an Australian birds FB group I belong to. It completely enchanted the members (including me), especially when Petra shared the story behind her artwork. She generously agreed to write this guest post. PETRA’S STORY I started in August 2020, when
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So this year I made the difficult decision not to send Christmas cards, especially to people I already interact with regularly such as close friends, neighbours and my social media connections. I have been intending to do this for a while, but in the past my resolve
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