Once again we are visiting our first-born in Melbourne and taking the opportunity to visit places we haven't yet explored in this city and state. I've managed on this trip to tick off a few more "bucket list" items. Captain Cook's cottage in Fitzroy Gardens. I first learnt of this cottage in my childhood when my … Continue reading On the literary road … in Melbourne and thereabouts
The literary road
The meeting of art and literature, at the Singapore Art Museum
Mr Gums and I have had a busy few months, with, unusually for us, two overseas trips in less than four months. Both were family-inspired: Canada in April-May to visit our daughter, and then last week Koh Samui to help Mr Gums' sister and husband celebrate their 40th anniversary. We decided to spend a few days … Continue reading The meeting of art and literature, at the Singapore Art Museum
On the literary road, in Ontario
I'm back from my North American trip and, as you can tell, didn't find much time to post while I was there. It was a packed three and a half weeks, catching up with our daughter, sightseeing, and meeting people, many of whom I'd got to know via online reading groups. I didn't find much … Continue reading On the literary road, in Ontario
On the literary road: Gundagai Redux
Gundagai, a small country town only two hours drive from my home, was the first place featured in my first literary road post back in 2009. I didn't on that occasion write about its early history. The Gundagai area was home to the Wiradjuri people, and was settled by white people in the late 1820s. … Continue reading On the literary road: Gundagai Redux
On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Ok, that's a pretty weak beginning I know, but hands up if you've ever heard of Omeo in Victoria, Australia? I must say that I hadn't until recently when I started planning our latest foray into Victoria. We decided to travel to Melbourne via the Great Alpine Road, in Victoria's High Country ... and in … Continue reading On the literary road: Omeo, Omeo, wherefore art thou Omeo?
Monday musings on Australian literature: What value writers’ homes?
DKS, in a recent comment on this blog, and Lisa of ANZLitlovers, in a post last week, have brought to my attention the threat to Christina Stead's home, Boongarre, in Watsons Bay, Sydney. As a lover of the "literary road", I'm concerned and so decided to explore it a little more. The facts, as I … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: What value writers’ homes?
On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 3, Matsue and beyond
This will be my last post on our Japanese adventures (unless something specific inspires me to write again - always leave yourself an out is my motto) and I'm going to share a few particular experiences, so here goes. Matsue and Lafcadio Hearn Our prime reason for going to Matsue was to visit the Adachi Museum … Continue reading On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 3, Matsue and beyond
On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 2, Kanazawa and Kyoto
Isabella Bird (Unbeaten tracks in Japan, 1880) doesn't appear to have visited Kyoto or Kanazawa, which is a shame as I would have enjoyed reading her comments. However, I thought I'd quote from her anyhow, from Letter I. It covers her arrival in Yokohama harbour on May 21 which is close in time of year … Continue reading On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 2, Kanazawa and Kyoto
On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 1, Central Honshu
Given this is primarily a litblog, I like my travel posts to have some literary or, at least, linguistic interest. And so in this first post about our current trip to Japan, literary and linguistic observations and thoughts will be my focus. Linguistic challenges Japanese language has a pitch-accent system which can provide particular challenges for … Continue reading On the literary (and linguistic) road in Japan: 1, Central Honshu
Monday musings on Australian literature: The Victorian Literary Map
This week's Monday Musings will be a brief one, partly because my time is tight (I really must finish Parrot and Olivier in America by tomorrow) and partly because I'm primarily going to post a link to a map: the online interactive Victorian Literary Map. As you might have guessed from my various Literary Road postings, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: The Victorian Literary Map
Whispering Gums 