Snippets

Snippet 1: My favourite author William Trevor died this week; he was 88. I loved his spare but heartfelt writing. Yes, it was a lot of doom and gloom but it was so human, sad but often funny. He actually started off as a sculptor, then began a short stint as a copywriter until he found success as a writer when he was 36.  Special favourites which you might like to try are the short story collection Cheating at Canasta, a Booker prize nomination The Story of Lucy Gault, and my all-time favourite, Love and Summer. This novella was written only a few years back and I recall the reviewers saying that he was mellowing in his old age because this was a more positive story than many of his others. Its theme was a constant one of Trevor's: romantic ideals, frustration and thwarted love.

Source: Goodreads

Snippet 2: May Gibbs published her first Australian book Gum-Nut Babies one hundred years ago this week, on December 5 1916. I have just re-read the delightful biography May Gibbs Mother of the Gum Nuts: Her Life and Work by Maureen Walsh. Well researched, it follows her birth in 1877 in England, the family's migration to Australia, her struggle to be an independent women in a time when women were expected to marry and have children, her life in Western Australia then back to England, and her constant ambition as an illustrator and writer. There are lots of interviews, notes from sketchbooks and letters to enliven the text. I especially liked the fact that she lived in South Perth (where I lived) for a number of years before moving to Sydney. It's wonderful to read of the birth of the gumnut babies and all her other creations - her fame was certainly not an overnight thing. She lived a full life and died at 92. From 1918 to today Tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, her most famous work, has never been out of print. Even as a child I loved the gruesome and often frightening pictures she created. Here's the terrifying bad banksia man.

Source: Wikipedia

Snippet 3: In praise of my husband!!!!!!!  A photo he took when we were in Chefchaouen, northern Morocco, won Image of the Year at the South Coast Camera Club final judging last month. It had already won the best photo for the theme, Umbrella, back in winter. We loved this blue city (all the buildings are painted shades of blue) and we were there when it was cold and raining constantly. Then the rain paused and became a drizzle so off we went exploring.  This photo was one of those throw-away ones when you glimpse something, take it and hope for the best. While judging photos for a competition is always very subjective (one judge may like a photo, but it may not appeal to someone else), the judges agreed that they liked the air of mystery and the contrast of colour in this photo. Luckily for us, we get the photo enlarged and framed!!

Kangaroo Island adventure: Part 3 - American River

American River was named after American sealers who landed here in 1803 and who thought the narrow inlet was a river. It is a small fishing village to the east of the island, nestled in native bushland opposite Pelican Lagoon. It's overlooked by Prospect Hill which Matthew Flinders climbed to survey the island.  And this is where our final accommodation was; aptly named Pelican Cottage. The front garden was a delight and there was a constant presence of birds: wrens, honeyeaters, cockatoos, parrots.

The view from our bedroom window.

 There were lots of pelicans (always a favourite of mine). In fact, my brochure said that, in 1803, Nicolas Baudin named the area Port des Pelikans.

At dusk, Steve and I went for a walk down the road where we discovered the remains of Muston Wharf and a railway that was used to bring salt from a nearby lake for export to the mainland. 

In this quiet desolate spot, it was hard to believe that there had once been a small township here that even supported a football team! 

The next day we went for a drive, then a walk, then called in to two wineries with wonderful views.

A typical Kangaroo Island drive.

The view from the deck at Dudley Winery.

We called in at a huge shed on the wharf at American River where volunteers are building a replica of the ship the Independence which the American sealers built. Boat building historians actually went to America to the area the sealers had come from in order to source an appropriate pattern. It's an impressive task that will take some time to complete. Here, Col talks to one of the boatbuilders. In the background is a skiff they are also building.

 So ends our Kangaroo Island sojourn. We loved the views, the pristine wilderness and the wildlife. We tired of the vast driving distances. We were not that impressed with the dining amenities available.  We loved purchasing island products and came back with honey, lavender lotions, olive oil, hand cream, lavender massage oil, and something I can't wait to try drizzled over ice-cream: Sticky Fig Syrup from the Figgery.

Kangaroo Island adventure: Part 2 - Flinders Chase National Park

Flinders Chase National Park is a spectacular protected wilderness of jagged coastline, secluded beaches and coves, marine wildlife, forests, lighthouses and unspoilt vistas.
We walked down the well-maintained boardwalk to Admiral's Arch.

Peer closely at the boardwalk in the top right-hand corner of the next photo. The black space is the Arch.

The Arch sans tourists

.. and with

Here we saw New Zealand fur seals frolicking, swimming. sleeping, playing.....

We then drove to Weir Cove, a lovely secluded bay...

Here, in the 1890s supplies were winched up the precipitous cliff and stored in a storehouse.

The views all around were magnificent.

Then off to the Remarkable Rocks - 500 million years of sculpturing!

On the walk back we came across this little critter.

 At the back of the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre there were interpretation signs that explained the type of megafauna that used to live in this swamp.

Then it was off to Kingscote, the capital of Kangaroo Island where we discovered some heritage charm ...

 a quirky community art project fence outside a hardware store...

... took a stroll along the jetty

and checked out the pioneers in the cemetery at Reeves Point, the site of the first official European settlement in South Australia.

Another full day of exploring. We were pretty tired by the time we arrived at our next accommodation in American River.

Kangaroo Island adventure: Part 1 - a zoo and a bush garden

It's been 20 years since we visited Kangaroo Island, so, two weeks ago, Steve and I set off with high expectations with sister Lyn and husband Col.  

After leaving at 7.30 am for the hour or so drive from home to the ferry terminal at Cape Jervis, the 45-minute ferry trip, plus an hour or so driving, we settled into our basic but comfortable cottage (Roo Lagoon Homestead) near Parndana, the almost-centre of the island.  

The owner is a wood turner so there was plenty for fellow turner Col to talk to him about. Some of his wares are shown here.

Then it was off to the Kangaroo Island Wildlife Park to see some native animals up close - great for overseas tourists. Even we were a bit excited to see a rather plump joey snuggling into its mother's pouch.

 There was a most peculiar frog...

 ... a regal-looking lizard

... a ubiquitous kookaburra

brightly coloured parrots...

cute turtles...

 .. and unblinking owls.

Then, it was on to the Stokes Bay Bush Garden, a wonderful display of over 150 island species as well as other Australian plants. It was great to wander around. I love the intricacy and detail of Australian natives in flower.

 Here are some of the plants that caught my eye (and my camera).

A Kangaroo Island lamb roll smothered in gravy was our dinner tonight. One drawback of island living is the paucity of places to go for dinner, especially if, like us, you have chosen accommodation for its isolation and peace. It was a 60km-round trip to the bakery from our cottage which, while technically in Parndana, was actually a long way from the town. If we had known we would have brought our own food.

After such a long day we were ready for bed and for more adventures on the morrow.