By April, autumn is well under way in the upper Blue Mountains. Today I checked some likely spots in Blackheath for ‘fairy’ toadstools. This was taken at the intersection of Wentworth Street and Gardiner’s Crescent. There are lots more popping up. The bowerbird in Memorial Park is
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A THOUSAND POUNDS FOR A SHILLING! In 1920, an art union lottery was established in the Blue Mountain’s town of Katoomba, conceived and administered by Mr Edgar Booth. The object was to raise money for the improvement of the local showground. First prize was originally a £1,000
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In 1813 the three men pictured above set out to cross the Blue Mountains of New South Wales, keeping to the ridges, rather than the deep, forested valleys. Accompanied by five servants, they were the first European settlers to succeed. I think we would all agree that
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I have been revising a piece I wrote about pioneering women and their appreciation of Australia’s native flora. Not surprisingly, the Blue Mountains featured heavily. Once the first road was constructed from Sydney through to Bathurst in 1815, intrepid settlers followed. Then the iron ranges echoed To
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Honestly, blue wrens could take over my life if I didn’t keep strict control. I should really give them their full title; Superb Fairy Wrens (Maluras cyaneus). And yes, they are as delicate as fairies. Once I
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My partner Rob and I intended dining at the new Blackheath Bar and BIstro last Saturday night, but it was a bit busy. Instead, we had a drink to wish the owners well, then walked along to the Victory Café. It was pretty early, so no problem
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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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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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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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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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