Today we moved on from Sea Lake to the larger rural town of Kerang (population just shy of 4,000) which we will use as a base to explore the Kerang Lakes, tomorrow. Today our primary focus was the mundane activity of shopping to stock up on provisions – there being a Woolworths supermarket in town. While in town we also had a quick look around and a stroll along the Loddon River.
Continue reading “Kerang – A stroll around town and along the Loddon River – Day 311”
The Irish in Cooma
My regular reader may be aware that I am originally from the Emerald Isle.
It never ceases to amaze me as I travel around the world how the Irish seem to be, or have been, everywhere including some of the most bizarre and remote places on earth. Where isn’t there an Irish pub (granted some of them are not very Irish!)? From Cusco in Peru to Suva in Fiji the Irish are everywhere. I even came across a Northern Irish flag proudly flying on Ascension Island, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Continue reading “The Irish in Cooma”
Vale, Southern Cloud
In 1929 aviators Sir Charles Kingsford Smith (after whom Sydney’s airport is named) and Charles Ulm founded Australian National Airways (ANA). The Southern Cloud was one of its three engined Avro X aircraft flying daily between several Australian cities. Continue reading “Vale, Southern Cloud”
Having a Nibble in Philpot Lane
For those interested and willing to deviate slightly from the average tourist’s beaten path London is full of curiosities worthy a little of their time.
One of these curiosities, often referred to as London’s smallest public sculpture, is a couple of mice fighting over, or sharing depending on your perspective, a piece of cheese. Continue reading “Having a Nibble in Philpot Lane”
The Cooma Cenotaph and Corey Memorial Plaque and Diorama
The Cenotaph, a grey granite obelisk, was unveiled on ANZAC day in 1926 to commemorate soldiers from the town and district lost in World War I. Due to a cost overrun, the memorial cost £1,050, there was insufficient funds remaining in the kitty to have the names of the missing soldiers inscribed on the obelisk. Almost half of the £1,050 was contributed by spectators at the Memorial’s opening. Continue reading “The Cooma Cenotaph and Corey Memorial Plaque and Diorama”
International Controversy in Cooma – The Avenue of Flags
In 1949 Australia embarked on one of its biggest ever infrastructure construction projects, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme which between 1949 and 1974 saw the construction of sixteen major dams, seven power stations, a pumping station, and 225 kilometres (140 mi) of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts in the Snowy Mountains (New South Wales). Continue reading “International Controversy in Cooma – The Avenue of Flags”
The Australian War Memorial At Night
As part of the its activity to commemorate the centenary of the 11 November 1918 Armistice, which brought about the end of World War I, the Australian War Memorial opened its commemorative area for night-time viewing (up to 10pm) on a number of weekends running up 11 November 2018. This rare event allowed visitors to see the memorial in a different light. Again, as part of its commemorative programme visitors were also able to enjoy the Memorial’s temporary 62,000 Poppy Display by night. Continue reading “The Australian War Memorial At Night”
62,000 Poppies Display
In the run up to and as part of its commemorative activities to mark the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War I on 11 November 1918 the Australian War Memorial commissioned a rather haunting and melancholy display of poppies, bathing the western gardens of the Memorial in a sea of red. A moving musical program, created by Chris Latham, the Memorial’s recently appointed musical artist in residence, beautifully complemented the display. The idea of having a musical artist in residence really appeals to me and Chris has got of to a flying start with this project! Continue reading “62,000 Poppies Display”
Edith Cavell – A ‘Glorious Specimen Of Womanhood’
I have passed by this memorial, just off the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square and across the road from the National Portrait Gallery, many times without even noticing it much less pausing to see that it is in memory of Edith Louisa Cavell, a British civilian nurse in World War I, who was executed by a German firing squad for helping Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium. Continue reading “Edith Cavell – A ‘Glorious Specimen Of Womanhood’”
‘A Conversation With Oscar Wilde’
This rather unorthodox memorial and tribute to a rather unorthodox man was unveiled on 30 November 1998 by Stephen Fry, who played Oscar Wilde in the 1997 film “Wilde”.
Entitled ‘A Conversation with Oscar Wilde’ the memorial, in the form of a green granite sarcophagus and designed as a seat, depicts Oscar Wilde, one of the most brilliant and flamboyant literary figures in late Victoria London, emerging from his afterlife, cigarette (when it has not been stolen) in hand, ready to share his renowned wit and views on anything and everything with whoever cares to sit down and have a chat. Continue reading “‘A Conversation With Oscar Wilde’”
The Rambling Wombat 