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
Pipit and Potager are two restaurants in the Tweed shire who pride themselves on local Northern Rivers produce. We tried Pipits in early March before the COVID lockdowns, as we had heard interesting reports of their innovative ways with food. Pipit is in Pottsville, a sleepy coastal village along the Tweed Coast. The chef Ben … More Pipit and Potager – Eating in and out in COVID times
Every Saturday we cycle to Billinudgel to collect the weekend papers. Last Saturday was Anzac Day, 25th April so beforehand we made our own dawn service at the beach. ANZAC Day (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) is commemorated across Australia and New Zealand to remember those soldiers who have lost their lives in defence … More Cycling to Billinudgel on Anzac Day
What better way to celebrate 50+ years of friendship than a retro reunion. Moving into the 8th decade is not always possible for some! People start dropping off! So it was with great celebration that four of us who had been at university together decided to arrange a 4 day retreat. We had attempted this … More Retro reunion
COVID-19 is reshaping the world as we know it, stopping many of our social interactions around physical exercise, so walking is the one therapy to keep us all sane. I love walking and am happy to do it alone, the rhythm of the footsteps providing a great space to think. In fact, I prefer to … More Walking therapy in Wollumbin
A summer of music began when a drought fund raiser brought together four community choirs in the Brunswick Heads Public School Hall one Sunday afternoon in November for Sea Song. The choir that really had rhythm was the Raise the Roof Gospel Choir. The event raised over $1000 in donations and it felt good as … More Music on fire in the Wollumbin Caldera
Our last full day on Lord Howe Island dawned clear and calm with a cloudless blue sky. We had decided to do the Chase ‘n’ Thyme tour with Peter Phillipps who collected us outside the Broken Banyan in his little tour bus. Peter had the gift of the gab and told rather bad jokes, including … More Adventures in Paradise 3 – Chase ‘n’ Thyme and playing catch up
Come wandering 