"The Teacher's Pet" podcast - what happened to Lynette Dawson?
Chris and Lynette Dawson are living the dream in the Sydney suburbs…a happy marriage, a beautiful home close to the beach, and two young children, Chris (once a rugby star and local hero) is a high school teacher and Lyn a devoted mother. But in January 1982, Lyn disappeared without a trace, leaving behind her children, her personal belongings and no note…
A Day of Disruption That Quickly Turned Violent
It’s hot and sticky and suddenly the air is charged. Then, out of nowhere, I see horses charging towards protestors and hear an enormous ‘bang’ about 100 metres from me (yes, really that close). People are screaming, yelling, running for cover. It transpires that a cop has thrown a stun grenade into the crowd (without permission) and it’s hit someone on the side of his face - his ear…
Taking it to the Knesset
As far as the eye can see are blue and white flags, with the iconic Star of David symbol in their middle, held high by thousands and thousands of people who, like us, have travelled from out of town to make our voices heard. From the north and the south of the country, they’ve made long, exhausting journeys. Many have taken a day’s leave from work. Many more have brought their children and quite a few women have tiny babies swaddled to their chests…
Returning Home - With Trepidation
If this legislation is passed, it means that the government can override any decision the Supreme Court makes…with a simple majority (that is a majority of one vote). What it might open the door to does not bear thinking about…att the very least, it means a concentration of power in the hands of any ruling party. At its worst, it means an end to Judicial Review. In effect, the government will shackle the courts…
"My Brilliant Friend" - a compelling and absorbing Neapolitan novel
Angelic and Ingenious - a Visit to Rome's Pantheon
Trastevere: You Stole My Heart - Part II
Yes, it’s my view that Trastevere is best enjoyed by indulging in what I call aimless wandering. My recommendation is to set off without a cellphone, or even an old-fashioned paper map, and get yourself lost. Piazzas, churches, tiny streets…there’s nothing here that will fail to disappoint. And, personally, I could walk these streets every day for the rest of my life and not get bored. It’s really that beautiful…
Trastevere: You Stole My Heart - Part I
The tiny, narrow streets are reminiscent of medieval times; its alleyways a veritable labyrinth. Packed full of small stores (selling artsy clothes and bijoux jewellry), it’s the perfect place to get lost in Rome. Traditional thin-crust pizza, artisan gelato, splendid churches, hipster bars and coffee shops aplenty, it would take a true Hard-Hearted Hannah not to be charmed…
Rome's Colosseum - the Ultimate Symbol of Imperial Power
Inside, the tiered seating covered a huge underground area in which cages and machinery were based. The floor of the arena itself was wooden but covered in sand, which served a dual purpose - to stop gladiators from slipping, but also to soak up blood spilt after gruesome fights. Lions and tigers were hoisted up by winches, through some 36 different trapdoors, brought to Rome on barges that sailed up the Nile, a labour-intensive and costly exercise if ever there was one..
Macabre and Morbid - a trip to the Crypt of the Capuchin Friars
The crypt contains the remains of over 3,500 bodies - it is believed that they were monks (friars) and their followers. Set out in six small chapels (all named after different body parts, including pelvises and leg bones) the skulls and bones you will see are not laid about randomly - on the contrary, they are put together in quite elaborate displays…
Tuscany Beckons
It’s rainy and chilly (but we have fires) and, unlike in summer, where we eat al fresco and splash around in the pool, under a scorching sun, now we’re curled up under blankets in the evening, after dinner, all gossiping and laughing. Lucretia - who’s incredibly good at drawing, baking and crafts - is building a gingerbread house, made out of pretzels, smarties and other treats. She’s not sure anyone will even want to eat it - but it looks fabulous…
Through the Doors of Westminster Hall
The Queue to End all Queues - Part III
We’re tired, for sure, and our feet are aching but as we pass Westminster, there’s a surge of enthusiasm from all eight of us - because we know that we can finally turn right at Lambeth Bridge, towards the Houses of Parliament! And then I stare at the next line of zigzags, which goes on as far as the eye can see. This is ‘soft security’ apparently and although I don’t realise it, it’s going to take us almost two hours to get through. ..
The Queue to End All Queues - Part II
My fellow queuers have come from Ipswich, Cheltenham and Gloucester - they all awoke in the middle of the night and either drove or caught National Express buses to London. I am truly in awe of their dedication to this cause. But then, as we discuss, the Queen was dedicated to her job for seventy years and so what’s a day out of all of our lives, if it means showing some respect…
The Queue to End All Queues - Part I
Fluorescent wristbands are being handed out in a range of colours (quite randomly). Mine is pink and a kindly volunteer attaches it for me. It will be the proof I need to remain in the queue, all the way to the Palace of Westminster - about 8kms. I may be asked to present it at various informal checkpoints along the way, although I can hardly imagine anyone would try do anything as un-British as trying to push in! After all, this is what we live for, isn’t it? Queuing. And, by any standards, this is the Queue to End All Queues.
To Queue or not to Queue...that is the Question...
by the evening, to my astonishment, Radio 4 is reporting that the queue to pay one’s respects is already 5 hours long, and stretching across Lambeth Bridge, back to the National Film Theatre on the South Bank, where wristbands to join it are being handed out. By 8am the following morning it has grown enormously and is now stretching back to Tower Bridge…
Floral Tributes to Queen Elizabeth - In Pictures
It’s hard to put into words how many flowers, drawings, cards, flags and letters I saw in London’s Green Park on the Monday following Queen Elizabeth’s death. Of course, sometimes a picture really does speak a thousand words. Here are some of the hundreds of tributes upon which I gazed, that sunny September afternoon…
The Palace and the Park - Part II
As I walk into the grounds of Green Park, I am caught entirely off guard. I knew there would be floral tributes. But this? The park is awash, and I really do mean awash, with flowers.It is a veritable sea of gorgeous tributes…I walk from mound to mound, reading many of the childrens’ cards and staring at their drawings. I am incredibly touched at the words they have written.
The Palace and the Park - Part I
In front of the gates, people are stopping, both to place flowers and also read some of the tributes that are there - cards and drawings - which will regularly be removed and taken next door to Green Park. There’s a copy of a newspaper stuck within the railings, a picture of the Queen on the front and a huge caption stating ‘Godspeed, Ma’am’. It seems very poignant and fitting.