Melbourne in March is sunny in the day, cool at night and for our visit, rain free. We met our daughters in Hughesdale in the midst of removing a distinctive feline smell from the polished wooden floors of their retro villa. Leaving the cleaning behind we adjourned to Oasis (http://oasisonline.com.au), an excellent Lebanese cafe and … More Melbourne in March
Our trip was planned to coincide with the purchase of our daughter’s first home in Melbourne. We were unaware then that at the end of February, La Niña was waiting to slam an east coast low into communities from Gympie to the Illawarra. It was so devastating that rainfall records were broken and flood levels … More Road trip to Melbourne
The final destination on our trip in Arnhem Land was at the very northern tip of Northern Territory on the Cobourg peninsula. We flew in to Vashon Head in the Garug Gunak Barlu National Park over the tropical Timor Sea. The staff welcomed us into the Seven Spirit Bay Resort with a refresher towel and … More Luxuriating at Seven Spirit Bay
The camp at Mt. Borradaile stands on the traditional land of the Bunidj people. It is Stone Country. We flew in over Cooper Creek and were met by Jade and Clint in a clapped out bus and a Jeep. The departing Outback Spirit group ahead of us warned about mosquitoes! Charlie Mangulda is the traditional … More Mt. Borradaile, home of Western Arnhem Land Rock Art
We flew into Maningrida over the Liverpool river and the Tomkinson flood plain. The coast here initially surveyed by Philip Parker King in 1819 remains remote and largely unsettled. Regular supplies come from Darwin by barge, the only reliable transport in the wet season. Rob drove us the short distance from Maningrida airport to Barra … More Barra fishing and Maningrida Art
The Top End of Australia has been deluged with a particularly heavy wet season, so wet that 4WD tour buses are unable to traverse the unsealed red roads. Our tour leader Rob informed us with a hint of glee, that we would therefore be travelling in 2×12 seater Cessna aircraft throughout our trip. It was … More Murwangi Safari Camp on the Arafura Swamp
Our first day on our Outback Spirit Arnhem Land trip began with a Welcome to Country at Wirrwawuy Beach. We were welcomed by the Gurruwiwi family and their spokesperson Allie. Normally Djalu Gurruwiwi, one of the Galpu clan leaders and custodians would lead his family in dance and song but, due to illness, his wife … More Welcome to Country Nhulunbuy style
We flew into bold, brassy Sydney for the opening of the musical, Hamilton. The Broadway hit musical, in fact all shows, had been shut down all over the world during the 2020 pandemic. But finally Sydney had managed the the unimaginable – a full house opening of the Australian cast and crew in Hamilton. It … More Sydney Celebrations – who lives, who dies, who gets to tell your story
Last week our friend Otto celebrated his 95th birthday. We were lucky enough to share the day with him and Gerty, his wife of 66 years – it was certainly a day to remember! But first a little story about Otto. Otto was born in 1926 in the German speaking part of Czechoslovakia. At the … More Our friend Otto and his wonderful memoir
On a bright winter Sunday last weekend, we indulged in the North Coast Mud Trail. A boot camp you may wonder but no! The only mud we experienced was beautifully crafted and fired in kilns. We meandered through the homes and studios of North Coast potters. And what a creative bunch they are! Twenty one … More North Coast Mud Trail
Come wandering 