Cistus or rock rose is an extremely hardy evergreen shrub which requires minimal care and can stand full sunlight in summer. Originally from the Mediterranean area, it blooms through spring and summer with open single flowers that last for no more than a day. The fallen blooms are quickly replaced by newly opened flowers. The … Continue reading In My Garden – Cistus
Interesting things
In My Garden – Dr Clifford Parks
Dr Clifford Parks is my pride and joy - a camellia reticulata with showy deep red informal double blooms. I planted it in mid-1992 as a spindly little specimen from the local nursery. It now is over eight foot high with blooms between 5 and 6 inches in diameter; the leaves are dark green. It … Continue reading In My Garden – Dr Clifford Parks
In My Garden – Dendrobium delicatum
Spring has certainly arrived in my part of the southern hemisphere (glorious one day, high winds and torrential rain the next) and gardens are well and truly in full bloom. Over the next few weeks I will share some of the plants in flower in my garden. Mine is a small suburban garden with a … Continue reading In My Garden – Dendrobium delicatum
4 June 1940 -Winston Churchill’s Speech to the House of Commons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkTw3_PmKtc Short speeches are often the most effective; however, even in lengthy speeches there are often shorter sections which capture perfectly the mood of the time and are remembered long after. Winston Churchill's 'We will fight on the beaches' speech is such a case. Most people think of it only as that half sentence passage … Continue reading 4 June 1940 -Winston Churchill’s Speech to the House of Commons
What’s in a name?
Quite a number of factors need to be taken into account when choosing the names for characters. Some apply to any form of fiction such as ensuring that the character names are distinct and not easily confused with other characters, that they do not sound alike or look similar on paper. Even initials need to … Continue reading What’s in a name?
Van Diemen’s Land
Like so many traditional songs there are a number of versions of Van Diemen's Land. Apart from various musical interpretations, there are a variety of lyrics depending on the country of origin of the singer, England or Ireland. The earliest published lyrics can be found in the Launceston Examiner of 21 Nov 1839 (p.2, c1). … Continue reading Van Diemen’s Land
Maps
Quite some years ago I applied for a job cataloguing maps. The interview was going well when one of the interviewers placed a map in front of me and asked me how I would catalogue it - it was a cadastral map overlaying a topographic map of an area of Melbourne in the 1880s. I … Continue reading Maps
9 August 1588 – Elizabeth I’s Speech to her Troops at Tilbury
Armada Portrait On 9 August 1588, Elizabeth I delivered a speech at Tilbury, Essex to troops drawn from all over England in expectation of an immanent Spanish invasion. Elizabeth appeared before the troops dressed in white wearing a silver cuirass and riding on a grey gelding. Other descriptions have her wearing a plumed helmet and … Continue reading 9 August 1588 – Elizabeth I’s Speech to her Troops at Tilbury
Marvellous Melbourne
It is amazing the gems that can be found courtesy of google. This is a film by Charles Cozens Spencer called 'Marvellous Melbourne (Australia): Queen City of the South'. The music accompanying it is 'Mock Morris" by Melbourne's Percy Grainger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvqFnfA76zA I don't think the film does justice to Australia's own game of football so … Continue reading Marvellous Melbourne
10 John Donne Poems Everyone Should Read
John Donne is my absolute favourite Metaphysical poet - this list from the Interesting Literature site includes some of his best. The list also includes links to the poems as well as critical analysis. The best and most essential poems by John Donne (1572-1631) John Donne’s poetry is a curious mix of contradictions. At once spiritual … Continue reading 10 John Donne Poems Everyone Should Read
Catherine Meyrick 