On a recent (very rare) sunny day here in the Blue Mountains, my partner Rob and I visited the recently restored Everglades House at Leura. I had read a feature about it in the January 2024 National Trust magazine. Even though we live nearby at Blackheath, it
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Letters have virtually disappeared these days, along with postcards, greeting cards, telegrams and, to some extent, telephone calls. Social media rules, and I confess I have adopted the new forms of communication wholeheartedly. However, it also gave me great delight recently to look back at a time
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In the late 19th and early 20th century, Blue Mountains towns such as Leura and Katoomba were just as popular with tourists as they are today. Several coaching companies were kept busy ferrying visitors to guesthouses from the railway station and around the area’s beauty spots. One
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I must thank fellow Blue Mountains resident Stephanie Moxham for alerting me to this story. Stephanie posted the following letter on a local history FB site. It had been published In The Katoomba Daily on Saturday, May 25 1935. To the Editor Sir, – Mr George B.
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Hello, Editor Des here. Well we had nasty fires up here in the Blue Mountains at Christmas time. It was very scary for my guardian Pauline Conolly. However, Mr Bob Conolly and myself protected everything and were extremely brave…especially me if I may say so. But the
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Here in the Blue Mountains the boughs of Leura’s main street avenue of cherry trees have been decorated for Christmas in a unique manner. Admittedly the seasonal creations have created some controversy, but I love them. They seem to suit Leura’s trendy, boutique shops and are quirky
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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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This piece began as a short, selective list of Blue Mountains villages. However, owing to the demands from residents of those left out it became somewhat longer. 😎 OK, HERE WE GO… I am cheating and listing the towns and villages of the Blue Mountains alphabetically rather
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CHRISTMAS IS NIGH As Christmas approaches I love looking back at seasonal celebrations in my Blue Mountains village of Blackheath. The following is from The Lithgow Mercury in 1909; There was very little stir here during Christmas, and everything passed off quietly. On Boxing Night a
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Hello, Editor Des here, Well I have been searching all over Sydney for the best Christmas tree. I found the first one in Cremorne when we were having a little holiday. I thought I really set it off. I’m a true ornament. Hahaha. Red and green
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