That fateful morning, his mother woke to chaos, and, along with her partner, locked herself in the safe room in the kibbutz at which they live. There she spent hours on end, listening to Arabic commands, rapid gunfire and screams of horror from her neighbours. After the IDF finally released her, she begged them to take her to the home of her daughter and granddaughter. But they were not there…
Then it’s onto Burton-on-the-Water, which is arguably the most picturesque of all the villages in the Cotswolds. This, no doubt, accounts for the hordes of Japanese tourists we encounter.In huge groups, they descend from their coaches and head straight down to the River Windrush, which flows through the village. This must be why it’s called Venice of the Cotswolds…
And to see country living at its finest, I’ve decided to head to Chipping Norton. Home to some rather well-known individuals (including David & Sam Cameron, Matthew Freud and Jeremy Clarkson) I figure I’ve got to check it out and since it’s just 10 kms away (although local transport is scarce, with just a few buses a day) off I head…
As I mosey along the main drag, I see cottages - the kind of cottages that wouldn't look out of place on chocolate box tins - and almost all of them are built from stone quarried from the area. It’s honey-coloured (dating back to the Jurassic area) and when the sun falls on it, the hue is simply glorious!
Priamo and Elide Pellicci hailed from Tuscany - a beautiful region named Garfagnana, near Sienna, and - like so many immigrants at the end of the 19th century - set sail for Britain, in search of a better life. Priamo actually began working in the cafe in 1900 whilst his wife Elide brought up seven children (without help!). After his death, she took over the place and ran it - who said women are the weaker sex? - and in turn it’s been passed down…a real family business.
Who didn’t love Bet Lynch, the busty blonde barmaid, whose presence in the Rovers Return pub who first made an appearance in the much-loved (and much-mocked) British soap opera ‘Coronation Street. Graduating from barmaid to landlady, she was a real character, dressed in her trademark leopard print and sporting a beehive hairstyle.Walking around the pub with a cigarette perpetually hanging from her mouth, she was probably one of tv’s most well-known stars in that period.,,
The Reef is home to a group of ‘bottlenose’ dolphins, all born there and left to their own devices. It’s entirely their choice whether they want to be in contact with visitors, by swimming up to the piers or approach guided tours of snorkelers and divers. Their daily routines include playing, socialising and even courting...!
In 1997, I was poking around in second-hand bookstores, looking for good reads to take with me on a trip to East Africa. I stumbled upon a dog-eared copy of Michael Crighton's 'Travels' and purchased it for $1.25. Little did I know that it would become one of my favourite books and that I'd re-read it so many times that, finally, I'd have to go out and buy a new copy, 18 years later...
Ooooh, these look good too. They’re a selection of biscuits in a beautiful keepsake tin which I’m informed plays ‘God Save the King’ as it spins! What’s inside. Well apparently, sweet treats that invoke the memories of the Commonwealth (of which the late Queen Elizabeth II was particularly fond). These include Canadian cranberry, Fijian ginger, South African macadamia nut and British clotted cream delights…
Piccadilly is awash with red, white and blue union jack flags, fluttering gaily in the breeze. The lovely Burlington Arcade (which runs parallel to Bond Street and is a marvelous example of Regency architecture) has rolled out the red carpet (well, it’s actually more red/pink) and hung flags with ‘CR’ (‘Charles Regina’) all along its enclosure, and with the light streaming in from the glass windows above, it looks heavenly.
After the public outpouring of grief, the ten days of national mourning and the knowledge that a glorious and golden Elizabethan era was over, plans were put in motion for a Coronation. It’s now twenty four hours before the ‘Big Day’ and I decide to head into central London, to try and capture some of the atmosphere with my camera. I decide to wander around aimlessly, and begin in Covent Garden…
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…
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…
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…
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…
