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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Specimens of of the Australian native Banksia serrata were collected by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770 and later named for him. They are funny, gnarled trees that look ancient long before their time (rather like weather beaten Australian gardeners). Serrata refers to the tough, saw edged leaves; Their
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We Australians love gum leaves. Expat Aussies can be reduced to tears by a whiff of their aroma. Campers in the bush put them into billy tea……for the flavor, but even more for nostalgia. Our property in the Blue Mountains was named The Gums by a
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A DAY OUT FOR EDITOR DES (THAT’S ME) Well one day my guardian Pauline Conolly took me to Sydney as a special treat. Now she loves going to the State Library, but I don’t (boooooring!!) I was pretty p…..d off when we ended up there (sorry, I
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Because the fragrance of your deeds, Has sweetened a sad soul’s doom, And ministered to many needs, I send you Boronia blooms. Ella McFadyen 1906 I confess there is an element of nostalgia in my love of the tiny brown cups of fragrant Boronia megastigma. I
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Hello, well bottoms are very funny, aren’t they? Q. WHAT HAS A BOTTOM AT THE TOP? A. MY LEGS! That’s a joke I made up by myself. I spend a lot of time with my bottom in the air. It’s so the blood can run
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