EDITOR DES ON A NATURE RAMBLE

EDITOR DES ON A NATURE  RAMBLE

Hello, Editor Des here. Well it’s springtime where I live in the Blue Mountains. All the flowers are out and the  birds start  singing so early  they wake me up while I’m still dreamin’. I thought it might be a nice time to go on a little

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LOVE YOUR BONNETS, GRANNY! (Aquilegias)

LOVE YOUR BONNETS, GRANNY! (Aquilegias)

How very beautiful are old-fashioned aquilegias, or colombines.   They are also known as granny’s bonnets. Bees love them. Here is an interesting piece on the plant’s name, published in 1927; A new explanation of the derivation of the word “aquilegia” has been advanced by Rev. G.H.

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THE GRAND OLD CHERRY TREES OF BLACKHEATH

THE GRAND OLD CHERRY TREES OF BLACKHEATH

The village of Leura in the upper Blue Mountains is famous for its main street avenue of flowering cherry trees. However, even higher up there is Blackheath, with its own, very special ‘cherry walk.’ From the Lithgow Mercury on October 12 1953; In 1953, the women residents

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THE VICTORY ANTIQUES CENTRE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

THE VICTORY ANTIQUES CENTRE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

THE VICTORY….HEART OF ‘OLD’ BLACKHEATH The Victory Theatre opened in 1921 as The Arcadia picture house. Locals even enjoyed an early form of 3D. It is now a vast antiques centre.  The bear (Editor Des) is not for sale, though sometimes I am sorely tempted to put

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A MISTY WALK IN BLACKHEATH

A MISTY WALK IN BLACKHEATH

I rather like misty days, they remind  me of cool flannels being placed on fevered brows. Our property adjoins the Blue Mountains’  National Park and sometimes bushwalkers  become disoriented, blundering  into my garden. I point them in the direction of Govett’s Leap, with a gentle warning to

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THE GREAT CUSTARD CUSTARD!

THE GREAT CUSTARD CUSTARD!

I once made a somewhat provocative statement on social media declaring Australia’s Foster Clarks custard powder to be superior to the UK  Bird’s brand.   It was absolutely true, but see that flag on the British product?  I should have known I was stirring up a cauldron

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