Category: Nature

  • The Parable of the Twins

    The Parable of the Twins

    The Parable of the Twins I came across this parable at the time my daughter was about to give birth to her first son and was enchanted by it. I had studied “The Republic” by Plato at Armidale Teachers’ College, and had learnt about a similar metaphor, that of The Cave, included in The Republic.…

  • “Snakey” by Roger Britton

    “Snakey” by Roger Britton

    “Snakey” by Roger Britton I soon learnt Death Adders were dangerous in more ways than one. The common belief among us school boys was that, once you were bitten by a death adder, you only had three minutes before your tongue went black, the whites of your eyes turned pink and you fell over and…

  • Malabar Headland in Sydney

    Malabar Headland in Sydney

    One of the last remaining wild areas on the eastern seaboard of Sydney has recently been rescued from the hands of developers through protest and last-minute government intervention. Malabar Headland, named after a ship that was wrecked there in 1931, is linked to Maroubra Beach at one end, and to the suburb of Malabar at…

  • The Ghostly Light

    The Ghostly Light

    This is an early excerpt from a chapter of my novel “Karrana”, second draft well under way at this stage. When he got to Halfway Creek, he had to stop to catch his breath. It was pitch black now with the stars blotted out by the height of the trees and the lay of the…

  • Black Swans Surfing

    Black Swans Surfing

    “Only in Australia” Thanks to Brian Moore for alerting me to the video clip below: Four black swans seen riding waves at Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast (Queensland) in Australia. #Only in Australia This post shows two photos I took at Kirra Beach last summer. (Not the video clip, which may have been taken…

  • Dolphins at Tamarama

    Dolphins at Tamarama

    If any creative person deserves to be discovered it is Paul Atroshenko: Artist, Photographer, Video Maker. Have a look at his website displaying his eclectic works of art, including symbolist paintings, and his excellent travel photography. He has also created amazing videos of walks around Sydney. And check out this recent one of dolphins playing…

  • Poetry of Place: Down Under

    Poetry of Place: Down Under

    One of the advantages of living where I do in Sydney is that there is water all around me. I’ve always lived near the beaches of the eastern suburbs, Coogee, Clovelly and Bondi. For two years my partner and I decided to experience a harbour change, and to live on the north side of the…