Introduction
From home base in Belgrave Australia, our travel has included frequent house exchanges through the Homelink organization, volunteer service in south east Asia, secondment and study leave overseas, cultural tours, artist in residence posts, maintenance of the grandchildren in Birmingham, family gatherings and weddings in far places, and generally having a good time. Travel has been and continues to be very rewarding and enriching in many ways.-
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Author Archives: scatterbrook
Breeze Music Cafe
Biking home from coffee recently with the Breeze Bandits on a pleasant sunny morning, I fainted or blacked out and crashed, breaking a few ribs. In the painful and boring rehab of the next couple of months I had plenty … Continue reading
Kyoto, Nara & Osaka
There is an infinite number of Shinto Deities, in practical terms about 8000. So, together with the 3000 Buddhist deities there is a need for lots of Temples, Shrines and removing of shoes. Due reverence and respect are paid to … Continue reading
Posted in Asia, category
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Tokyo
We joined the throng of travelers coming to Japan for the cherry blossom season. Luckily many of the trees are in coming to full bloom. In Tokyo some of the trees are about 20 m high. So, what happens to … Continue reading
Hong Kong
A couple of days stopover in Hong Kong en route to Japan. Haven’t been here for decades, not since the handover to the original owners from the Brits in 1997. Hence lots of change. Many towers of up to 50 … Continue reading
Alaska – Gold on the water
In the olden days, gold was to be found in the hills. Today it is scattered on the water, from the pockets of thousands upon thousands of tourists. Harvested with clinical efficiency by the tour and cruise companies. What a … Continue reading
Posted in category, USA
3 Comments
Whistling in the fog
It’s not always foggy in Whistler, sometimes it also snows. There will be stunning vistas on other days, but for the present we are happy to see interesting stuff looming out of the fog. An adult black bear was grazing … Continue reading
Land of the Lumberjacks
The west coast of Canada and Alaska have long been popular destinations for Australians. Our friends all chorus “just like New Zealand, but on steroids”. For me, that had to be a come on, but Sweetiepie had visited Vancouver 50 years … Continue reading
Posted in Canada, category
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Scotland
On the last night in portugal, Yunus has won the Darts Murder tournament and is presented with the trophy by Grandma. And now to Scotland. Lovely autumnal weather in the north east. Not the bleak rain and misery that was … Continue reading
Posted in category, U.K.
3 Comments
Portugal
A week in the sun. Fled the wet and dismal Birmingham along with several plane loads of Brits, heading for the Algarve. Took possession of Casa Serena along the coast from Faro. They have not had rain here for over … Continue reading
Posted in category, Europe
9 Comments
Shakespeare, coffee and the Titanic
Busy day in Birmingham. An hour on a long boat around the canal system followed by a visit to the library. In 1864 the Birmingham Shakespeare club started a collection to mark the 300th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. It was … Continue reading
Posted in category
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Skagen – Banksy – Visby
Such a long history of engagement with the sea and fish in Skagen.The coastal Museum of Skagen documents life on land and sea from the time the fishermen used boats rowed by 4 or 6 men. Marine rescue is described … Continue reading
Estonia and Skagen
Little Tallinn, the capital of little Estonia. From ages past Estonia had no kings of its own, but had elders who managed affairs of state. The kingdom of Denmark held the grand Duchy of Estonia from 1219 to 1346. After … Continue reading
Posted in category
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The Baltic
On the Cunard Queen Victoria one expects everything, including coffee to be just so. For example, picture us seated thus: In the Commodore club, sipping an Atlantic Love Affair cocktail, to the romantic Guitar of Andrew Scott as the sun … Continue reading
Posted in category, Europe
6 Comments
Highgate London
We have arrived in London. A few days with Cousins in Finchley, North London. Highgate on the great north road is quite nearby. In the olden days Highgate was the first stop on a journey to the North with a … Continue reading
Posted in category, U.K.
10 Comments
High ‘C’s on the High Seas
Melbourne to Melbourne, circumnavigating New Zealand, making landfall a few times and doing a sail-by of Milford sound. Alerted to the fact that there are regular Gala or Galah nights, we came suitably frocked up with fancy gear. Although the … Continue reading
Posted in New Zealand
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The March
Friday 20th September saw a worldwide statement by millions of people, marching to draw attention to the sort of world that we are likely to face if global warming is not moderated. The marchers generally believe that action must be … Continue reading
Milan and the Lakes
The big three of Milan, La Scala, the Vittorio Emanuel Emporium, and the Duomo, stand together in the middle of town. The Duomo is totally overwhelming. But then, it has had quite a few hundred years to arrive at this … Continue reading
That Sinking Feeling
. Arrived in Venice in soaking rain, confronted with a sea of umbrellas. A ten-minute sodden trudge found us at our new home. And in the middle of the action, only five minutes from the Rialto. Happily, on the ground … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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Above the towers
. An hour from Lucca, by a slow train following the river out into the country. Robert and Norma live high on a ridge in a villa in a village confusingly called La Villa. So high that in the morning … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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Life beneath the Towers
Towers, food and wine. The important Tuscan things. As in many places and cultures, the food and wine here varies from the ordinary to the sublime. The range of available Gelati flavours is mind and palate blowing. Our favourite Gelateria … Continue reading
The Bargello
In Florence, The Uffizi, the Academia and the Duomo have their followers and enthusiasts, but for me The Bargello is a stand out benchmark for world class sculpture and decorative art. The Bargello is one of those grand old … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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Tuscany 2019
. . First week of our Tuscan adventure has been given over to a week of deep immersion at the marvellous Lucca Italian school. Where the only non-Italian sound to be heard is the occasional furtive English whisper. . … Continue reading
We’ll tak’ the high road
From Aberdeen, north to Peterhead, then west into the Speyside hills. The main feature of the small town of Fochabers is the Gordon castle and estate. The seat of generations of Dukes of Gordon and Richmond. A long time … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
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The Staffordshire Hoard
. About fourteen hundred years ago a hoard of golden treasure was buried in a field in Staffordshire. It is likely to never be known why it was buried in a place remote from any archaeological markers, nor by … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
2 Comments
The Boat House
Think – a week with the extended family in a cottage in the cold, wild, wind swept hills of Snowdonia. The “Boat House” at Tan Y Bwlch in Snowdonia is a something of a Tardis. From the outside appearing to … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
2 Comments
Empire Rone
Rone is possibly the most prolific quality street artist in Melbourne and widely famous for his silo art. Born under the name Tyrone Wright in Geelong, he specialises in depicting large scale faces of beautiful women. Often in … Continue reading
Posted in Australia
2 Comments
Raku 2018
Raku is an instant satisfaction sort of pottery. Normally, pottery is a protracted sort of process involving many patient days of drying the pot, firing it for many hours, glazing and decorating it then firing it for yet more hours. … Continue reading
Posted in Australia, Pottery
6 Comments
The Goddess of Fun in Dunolly
Dunolly is a happy place. The Welcome stranger, a very large gold nugget was found in nearby Moliagul in 1869. So large, it was, that it had to be broken apart with picks to weigh. Total weight is reported as … Continue reading
The Forest Guardian
Following the creation of the Potager Goddess at Cloudehill, Jeremy floated the idea of a forest guardian figure protecting the lower, wilder area of Cloudhill. He imagined a troll like creature peeping menacingly from a clump of bamboo. A couple … Continue reading
Kimberley – the rocks and cattle runs
The story of Jandamarra’s war is a ripping yarn that was produced as a film for the ABC. Based on facts, the narrative wobbles a bit through many versions in the telling. As a young black fella Jandamarra made … Continue reading
Kimberley – Pearls
For years, starry eyed adventurers returning from the Kimberley have been in raptures as they told us of the Gibb, the Tanami, the Bungles, the cattle runs, the majestic ranges, the birds, flowers, big water, bush tucker, Boabs, anthills, the Argyle, … Continue reading
Posted in Australia
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When in Rome
Sleek train down to Rome, which goes as fast as 300km/h when the quality of the track allows. From base camp off Via Veneto, around the corner from the American embassy, planned to just walk around and see what happens. … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
3 Comments
Venice 2017 Biennale
The following pics and video extracts allow a peek at some of the things that could be seen in the course of a couple of days at the 2017 Biennale at the Giardini and the Arsenale in Venice. New Zealand … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
4 Comments
Venice 2017 the intro
By train from Vienna. Up the hill to Innsbruck. Through the yodelling country and the Brenner Pass, and down past the Dolomites and grape growers into Venice. We all know that Venice has lived for over a thousand years in … Continue reading
Berlin to Vienna
In and around Berlin we had our fill of Grand Royal palaces. Winter palaces, summer palaces, palaces for the Empress, palaces for the kiddies, palaces to impress the neighbours. But in the end, as Frederick the Great said, “A crown is … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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Berlin 2017
Returning to the 19th floor apartment of Uta and Andreas on Leipzig Strasse after three years was just like coming home. The Augustiner beer hall around the corner and the Brandenburg gate a ten minute walk away, Lidl downstairs for … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
2 Comments
Wales
The delights of being a grandpa for a week with the family in a house by the coast in Wales. The opportunity to open for a week that compartment of the mind that contains absolutely nothing. Bliss. Bathrooms and comfortable … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
8 Comments
Amsterdam
On this quick whizz through Amsterdam, managed to avoid the famous red light district in favour of the slightly less famous Rembrandt house or huis. He was able to buy the house at the height of his career following the … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
6 Comments
Alexander von Humbolt, Timewarp and Floods
Reunited with the grandsons for a few days. They requested assistance with a couple of projects. A computer generated movie and assembling a model sailing boat. Simple enough? The model of the Alexander von Humbolt is level 5 of difficulty … Continue reading
Croquettes at the Alhambra
In coming to Granada, the focus of our Andalucian campaign was to visit the fabled Alhambra. Fabled, due to the very popular Tales of the Alhambra written by Washington Irving in 1829. He was an adventurous writer and diplomat (American … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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Cordoba
Cordoba is the loveliest place at this time of year. Busloads of tourists are easily swallowed up and dispersed among cute little blue and white alleyways. There is always space at the corner tavernas and cafes to sit, lean back, … Continue reading
Ham, bells, wine and Pirates in Seville
The move from Morocco back to the other side of the Med was quite easy as we are travelling light this trip. Encumbered more by technology than underwear. Touched down in Malaga for a couple of days. In a strange … Continue reading
Artisans of Morocco
A long tradition of craft can be useful. When the owners of our riad came to repair the badly damaged very old tiled flooring (possibly damaged by donkey feet) they found that tiles of the same shape and colour … Continue reading
Posted in Africa
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Lost in the Medina
To relive the exotic romance of the period a thousand years before the French occupied North Africa a hundred years ago, bringing their baguettes and patisserie, where better than the Medina of Fes, Morocco. No cars, no American Burger … Continue reading
Posted in Africa
3 Comments
Barcelona
High on the *Buttock list has been a return to Barcelona. The intent was to reprise all of the delights of a visit 15 years ago. Of course some things have changed. The mantra – “Barcelona, Ah, beware the pickpockets!” … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
5 Comments
Sleepless in Birmingham
In many ways the highlight of the recent little European sojourn has been taking care of three young grandsons in their home for 2 weeks while their parents are away. The delights of total immersion in the world of primary … Continue reading
Another week in Berlin
The Germans are famous for being good organisers rather than good lovers or good cooks. But being good followers gets them into trouble from time to time. Think WW II. More recently the lack of progress on the new Berlin … Continue reading
Posted in Europe
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A week in Berlin
Ah Berlin! Where beer is cheaper than water. Staying in a 19th floor apartment on Leipziger Strasse for 2 weeks. Midway between the Brandenburg gate and Check point Charlie, near to the action. So prosperous and trendy, so much to … Continue reading
Pitmedden Garden
At Pitmedden, Aberdeen Shire, there is a vast formal garden which has a history dating back to the 17th century. The remarkable thing about this National Trust property is the day by day relentless attention to detail. The precision … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
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Highland Life
Patrick the gamekeeper is the most marvellous host, both professionally and privately. On a clear sunny day, having the job of looking after deer and pheasants and helping people to shoot them would seem to be an occupation made in … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
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the Whisky Mountains
Picked up a car at Aberdeen airport and headed west. Following the broad swift flowing river Dee for a while. Past rows of the posh Dee-side manors with their imposing gardens behind high granite walls. Turned north at Ballater to … Continue reading
Gilda – the Venus of Eltham
The making of goddesses is for us a team sport. The team consists of Ric – arbiter of style & taste, Jenny – the anatomy supervisor, Kate – responsible for detail and finish and Rob – who likes setting fire … Continue reading
MONA
A recent visit to MONA – the museum of old and new art – in Hobart. David Walsh, the unlikely founder of MONA, made a fortune by gambling, aided by clever maths and loads of bravado. Check out an article … Continue reading
Posted in Australia
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The Chain Kiln
The little town of Gulgong in central western New South Wales is something of a mecca for potters. Over the years many exciting international ceramic events have been held in the town and at the late Janet Mansfield’s famous nearby … Continue reading
A week in the sun
. Away from the Melbourne winter to the Byron Bay Writers fest. Timing was good, as this has been their first fine weather since the bad storms early in the year left flood damage and many upturned trees. Some of … Continue reading
In 1858
In 1858 in the little village of North Wingfield in Derbyshire a coal miner, George Knighton married young Anne Mottershaw, the cordwainer, or shoemaker’s daughter. They moved into the cordwainers cottage with her dad, Richard and her brother Joseph. With … Continue reading
Posted in U.K.
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scatterbrook 