I wonder when that last call for drinks really was? I suspect that back in its heyday there never was a last call, just the ushering of patrons out the door. Back in 1873 the discovery of gold here transformed an inhospitable region of the South Australian outback into a nearly 500 strong community resulting […]
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How strange to imagine no travel beyond the natural borders of your town, state, country or continent. Once travel was some exotic thing others did. Then I did too and soon forgot the extraordinary privilege and responsibility that travel is and demands. Perhaps when borders open up again we we be humbled by the opportunity […]
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To me one of our greatest achievements is the humble boat. For thousands of years boats have served us by enabling migration, by making fishing a viable food source for large communities; have enabled the crossing of oceans, the establishment of global trade and brought untold recreational pleasure to millions. No other craft takes us […]
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I first set foot on Achill Island, County Mayo a couple of years ago. At the time I was only a little aware of its significance in the life of Ireland’s beloved pirate queen, Gráinne Ní Mháillem (Grace O’Malley). In the last few months my awareness of this incredible woman and her place in sixteenth […]
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Tomm Otterness’s ‘Other Worlds’ sculptures in Hamad International Airport are imposing, engaging, whimsical and amusing all in the same visual feast. It pays to linger here just a little more than you might and pay attention to the detail. The initial wow turns to intrigue as those odd little bronze protrusions start coming to life […]
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