In the 1800's in Victorian England, scores of children under the age of 20, roamed the streets in a Dickensian world, eeking out an existence made famous in the 1968 movie, Oliver. In the day, Britain feared a French revolution might erupt within the lower classes and so wished to contain this potential political menace… Continue reading Children of Victorian England
'The Big Scrub', Northern New South Wales, Australia The Big Scrub is located in Northern New South Wales, Australia. This vast area of subtropical rainforest was cleared by European settlers from the 1840s, firstly for its valuable cabinet timber species, in particular red cedar, and later for agricultural selection, primarily dairying and agriculture. This region… Continue reading The Big Scrub Pioneers, New South Wales
Margaret uses a Box iron - that is heated on the fire to iron her clothes. She cooks all her meals and bakes her own bread in a pot oven, over the open fire. She lives in a house without electricity and modern conveniences. This is not a reality show where we are taken back… Continue reading Living History 100 years ago
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/A01005/screen/4162834.JPG The Ode They went with songs to the battle, they were young.Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:Age shall not weary them, nor the years… Continue reading ANZAC Poem
Fellow blogger Pooja from Stories from Europe grew up in Nepal, so we've joined forces to write about a city located close to Kathmandu, called Bhaktapur. The individual accounts are about the same city, Bhaktapur, but written from a perspective of 34 years apart. What things had changed? What comparisons can we draw? Let's find… Continue reading First Trip to Nepal
We all know the slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." The exact opposite is true of Gdansk. Their slogan is: 'What happens here moves the world.' The Solidarity Gate The selfie is mine, but this iconic location belongs to the people of Gdansk, (until 1939, known as Danzig, Poland). This particular spot holds… Continue reading UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Gdansk Shipyards
Numedal Valley Since medieval times, one of the main routes Traders and Pilgrims used to traverse Norway between Oslo and Bergen, was via the Numedal Valley, which stretches from Kongsberg in the south, to Geilo and the Hardangervidda Plateau, in the North west. Hardangervidda Due to this long history, Numedal has one of Norway’s most… Continue reading Numedal Valley in Norway
Interested in seeing breathtaking views, experiencing a relaxing atmosphere, walking mountain trails through a UNESCO heritage valley and staying somewhere where an Emperor has stayed and with, shall we say, a chequered history? If so, then Stalheim hotel, in the mountains of Norway, between Gudvangen and Voss, on the West Coast, is the place for… Continue reading On Top of the World in Norway
Is your democratic vote important to you? Or are you prepared to throw it away?
Nidaros Cathedral One attraction that everyone comes to see in Trondheim, Norway, is Nidaros Cathedral and yet it is the nearby Værnes church in Storjdal that, for me, holds more fascination, at least in a historical sense. Not only does the Værnes Church have a purpose-built 'Weapons House,' that dates back to Viking times, but … Continue reading Værnes Church, Norway c 1085
Røros World Heritage Site - The Church Røros Church in Norway – its reputation preceded it and my only chance to visit was offered to me when I was in Trondheim, Norway. Of course, I leapt at the chance. Walking through a living World Heritage Site, is not something one gets to do every day.… Continue reading Living History at Røros
The following poem is the one I have always liked and I wrote it so quickly - it must be that writing from the heart, makes a difference. I am submitting it for the October poetry month challenge. A little late but I have been occupied with hosting my own poetry challenge, which ends this… Continue reading Poetry Challenge – OctPoWriMo
Hidden in the hills an hour's drive from Brisbane is a little known village with a walking trail through heritage areas. Grab a cuppa and come visit it with me.
