“Are you looking for food?” asks Avam as we walk past his bar at Hill End’s Royal Hotel to the bistro. “My cook hasn’t turned up and there are no meals tonight” he adds.
What’s for dinner?
Besides a bag … Read the rest
There’s more to Mudgee than Wine and Food
“I’m from Mudgee not Mosman” explains the bumper sticker on a dirty ute. The driver sees me chuckling and smiles. Mudgee is in farming country. Wine country to be exact, but there’s more to the town than great wine and … Read the rest
A Taste Tour of the Middle East in Sydney
“That will put hairs on your chest” exclaims the woman opposite me. She’s taken a sip of thick black coffee from a finely decorated cup. “It’s called Syrian coffee in Syria and Turkish coffee in Turkey” says Ali standing nearby … Read the rest
Sofala: An historic mining village worth a brief visit
“Sofala was dead. Everything was closed” says a friend. “I couldn’t even get a cup of tea” she adds.
With her comments front of mind, my expectations are low as we drive into Sofala. Perhaps that’s why I’m pleasantly surprised.… Read the rest
Walking in the steps of Sydney’s Razor Gangs
In the 1920s and 30s crime bosses lurked here where I am standing in Sydney’s Central Station Grand Concourse, looking to recruit young runaways into a life of crime or prostitution.
Slums, Slashings and
… Read the restAboriginal Heritage in the Sydney Botanic Gardens
When the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Harbour over 230 years ago, the crew faced a harsh and unfamiliar environment. Unlike the Indigenous people who had lived here for 1000s of years, they had no idea of how to survive … Read the rest
A Tour of Rookwood Cemetery
When Mark Bundy applied for a grave digging job at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery, he was asked three questions. “Are you married?”, “Do you have children?” and “Do you have a mortgage?”. After answering “Yes” to all three, he was told … Read the rest
My First Hot Air Balloon Ride in Jaipur, India
It’s dark outside as we drive through the quiet Jaipur streets in the early morning. There’s none of the usual loud beeping horns and colourful bustle that fills the city during the day. I’m excited and a little anxious as … Read the rest
Baring all in Lake Baikal, Siberia
Getting naked in front of others is something I usually avoid at all costs. Exposing my sixty-year-old body intimidates me. Ten years ago, I envied the thousands who stripped off on the Opera House forecourt for photographer Spencer Tunick, wanting … Read the rest
A Fresh Look at Maitland and Morpeth
Needing a break from COVID imposed time at home, I recently spent a few days exploring Maitland and historic Morpeth, a less than two-hour drive north of Sydney. Not having spent time in Maitland, I was interested to discover more … Read the rest