Actually, the terms "gum tree" and "eucalypt" are more complex than many of us, I think, realise. The trees I have habitually called Gums or Eucalypts actually come from three genera: Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophera. I was quite shocked when I discovered a few years ago that in the 1990s there had been a reclassification … Continue reading Here come some gums
Musica Viva concert: Steven Isserlis & Dénes Várjon
I haven't written about all the Musica Viva concerts I've attended this year because I don't really have any music review skills. However, I can't resist writing a little about this one. This is the third time we've seen the cellist Steven Isserlis, each time accompanied by a different pianist, and we've never been disappointed. … Continue reading Musica Viva concert: Steven Isserlis & Dénes Várjon
Why I link to Wikipedia
Those who regularly read my blog will have noticed that I link to Wikipedia more often than to other more seemingly appropriate sources. This is not necessarily because Wikipedia is the best source to link to for the item in question but because Wikipedia: usually provides a basic intro to/definition of the topic or term … Continue reading Why I link to Wikipedia
Home thoughts from abroad
Well, it feels like it's home thoughts from abroad as we've probably spoken to more non-Australians over the last ten days than Australians. And, interestingly, the highest proportion of those are not German as it seems to have been in the last decade or so but French. We spoke in more detail to one young … Continue reading Home thoughts from abroad
Climate change, ferals and Central Australia
While we generally prefer to go it alone, we did decide a few days ago, due to access challenges, to book onto an organised tour of Palm Valley. A good tour can work well and this one turned out to be one of the good ones – decent tour guide, uncrowded tour with congenial companions, … Continue reading Climate change, ferals and Central Australia
Some thoughts from Centralia
With daughter and dog minding the fort, Mr Gums and I headed out last weekend to Central Australia where we are spending ten or so days escaping the wintry south. It is an interesting place to visit, geologically, botanically and culturally; it is where we urban Aussies come across more indigenous people than we usually … Continue reading Some thoughts from Centralia
Imre Kertèsz, Fateless (or Fatelessness)
[WARNING: SPOILERS, of sorts] Let's get the first thing clear. I like holocaust literature - not because I enjoy the subject matter but because in it I find the most elemental, universal truths about humanity. Depending on the book, this literature contains various combinations of bravery and cowardice, cruelty and kindness, love and hate, self-sacrifice, … Continue reading Imre Kertèsz, Fateless (or Fatelessness)
Julian Barnes, The limner
I'm probably going to show my ignorance here as I'm no expert in short stories. I do however like them and have read a fair smattering over the years. Julian Barnes' The limner is interesting because it is historical, that is, unlike most short stories that I have read, it is set in the past … Continue reading Julian Barnes, The limner
George Orwell, Books v. Cigarettes
We all do it! That is, we say we haven't got the time to do something or we can't afford something when in fact we really could if we changed our priorities. This idea is the inspiration for George Orwell's essay titled "Books v. Cigarettes" (written in 1946). It all started when a newspaper editor told him … Continue reading George Orwell, Books v. Cigarettes
Vale Frank McCourt
I've only read one of Frank McCourt's books, his Pulitzer Prize winning memoir, Angela’s ashes. I loved it, but for some reason didn't really feel the need to read more, though I'm sure I would have enjoyed them if I had! Angela's ashes was such a visceral read. I've never read quite such a vivid description … Continue reading Vale Frank McCourt
Whispering Gums 