Natives are Out and About

A little patch of the Blue Mountains NSW can harbour a great bounty of gems. The floor of the bush, is a revolving show of constant subtle change to any bushling who cares to look and watch attentively.

Take the time to be a gumnut child of the bush no matter if you are an old crusty bugger or a nymph. Look about and you can see a whole new world lost to the traditions of other climes. It is amazing, allow yourself to enjoy it.

New Years Honeymooner Swooner

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/mt-victoria-mist/

New Years at the Imperial, Mount Victoria NSW

This years new years was spent in Mount Victoria. The was a spontaneous crowd of crooners, swooners, ad libers, honeymooners and travelers. It was a great night. No hassle from drunk derros, no obnoxious overcrowding, a make do and create your own fun vibe, surprise performances, dancing, singing, poetry, chat and banter. A traditional 'auld' welcome to the New Year. Full credit to the organizers for promoting a good night of unharried frivolity. Job well done !

The mist is grey pink

" The light in the right direction, usually afternoon, can turn a dark grey pink. The air around Mt Vic can be seen to reflect the pink of the stones and the pink and white of the settlement on the hill." this is a quote I like. Not because it is always true but because it always feels true to me.


Mountains Mist and Victory

Feasting Slowly @ altitude

The Blue Mountains has a slow food inclination. Another of it's beauties. Bands of locals in the heart of the heights have gathered and voiced their community desire to eat together. Rejecting McDonaldification and establishing cafe culture, locavore aspiration and a slowfood precinct.

The culture of the mountains operates in it's kitchens, dining rooms and diverse tables. Families and guests mix and combine, new and customary foods cross benches and trigger sensations hourly. Native foods, colonial wet weather staples, and vegetarian innovations diverge with rising Cittaslow appetites.

The apples of Shipley and the stonefruits of Bilpin grace plates with handmade breads and permacultural harvests. That is the ideal.


I hope that family feasts and diverse eating only increase across the blue mountains city. If it is ever just like everywhere else it will be too far away to visit something that is just the same. And that is true of Australian culture too. It's value lies in it's difference.

Cosmopolitan Roving by Mount and Flat

Every second year has become a trend

It is sweet to visit the Winter Magic Festival and greet the winter solstice with a stroll.

Winter Magic 2009

It was great to see the locals out and about this winter solstice. As it always is. It was great to see not just colour but community discourse being represented.

Son of a Lion - Son of a Gun

Son of a Lion - Son of a Gun

With sympathy for the Pashtuns we could transform our hearts. I had the good fortune to attend the Sydney Festival Premier of "Son of a Lion". Directed by Ben Gilmour. It gives an insight into the human side of the North West Border of Pakistan.