Many people (including myself ) know about Cocos Islands. I have now read a lot about it and its history.
The islands were on the ancient trade route between India, Burma, and Southeast Asia and were regularly visited by ships. In the 16th century, Portuguese sailors named the islands after the Portuguese word for coconut, coco
The islands were then discovered in 1609 by the British sea captain William Keeling but no settlement occurred until the early 19th century. One of the first settlers was John Clunies-Ross, a Scottish merchant; much of the island’s current population is descended from the Malay workers he brought in to work his copra plantation. The Clunies-Ross family ruled the islands as a private fiefdom for almost 150 years, with the head of the family usually recognised as resident magistrate. The British annexed the islands in 1857, and for the next century they were administered from either Ceylon or Singapore. The territory was transferred to Australia in 1955, although until 1979 virtually all of the territory’s real estate still belonged to the Clunies-Ross family.
Charles Darwin spent 12 days at the Cocos (keeling) Islands in the Indian Ocean during the Voyage of HMS Beagle in 1836. He explored many parts of the archipelago, and collected a large number of geological, plant and animal specimens.
The Two World Wars saw the islands become targets due to their strategic position in the Indian Ocean.
From 1944 to 1946 the tranquil islands came under military administration and buzzed with activity, home to thousands of military personnel.
The people of the Cocos Keeling Islands voted to become part of Australia in 1984.
The islands are now an internationally significant habitat for wildlife, and a remote tropical paradise for tourists seeking adventure, culture and space to breathe
The island is home to some rare bird including the red foot booby bird. I remember when we were in Galapagos we saw the blue footed booby bird.
The red footed booby bird
Cocos is also home to the red crab. There are hundreds of them. Little ones to quite big ones who crossed the sandy road in front of us when we went cycling out to the yacht club yesterday.
The sunsets are also very special. Though we have had a lot of cloud cover tonights was rather lovely.
The big day arrived. Our costumes were ready. we were ready.
To fill in the day we spent time at the Harrisons doing odd jobs. Well some did and most of us stayed out of the way.
We had an hours trip to get to Boomi so had to be dressed ready to go by 4.30. And it was hot.
Peter picked us up at our motel in a bus belonging to the local aged care home. What a sight we made.
A quick photo shoot and into the bus with a few bottles of champagne for the journey.
What a crew.
An hour later we poured out of the bus and noticed no one else was dressed up. There were a few simple hats but no one else came as the mad hatter, the rabbit, the scarecrow the witch, the wizard, queen of hearts or jester.
Just us.
And Boomi won’t forget us.
We enjoyed drinks on the lawn and lots of admiring comments before heading in to the old hall set with long tables.
We decorated ours. Candelabras, ice buckets, oversized cup and saucers for our tea party!
The show was fun and the enthusiasm from the local cast was fantastic. So much work goes into this production- an original musical staged every second year. Funds raised goes directly back into the community.
The local talent is great.
I loved the local policeman who only on Thursday night was chasing a criminal through town only to smash into a fence and injure his foot. He was the King and made it through the show smiling and hopping but slipped in a reference to taking a pain killer !
The King
Food was plentiful, supplied by local Gundy caterer Sandy Henderson who happens to be our friend’s daughter’s mother in law. Lauren was there working in the kitchen.
We were awarded joint best dressed. Which wasn’t hard as we were the only ones dressed up.
I love these country communities. Even we recognised people from Gundi like the lady from the cotton shop.
After a standing ovation we climbed back onto the bus with Peter driving the hour back to Gundi. We were all so impressed with the Boomi community. They pulled off a great night. It was worth the drive from the city.
The next morning we gathered at the Harrisons house for Helen’s country scrambled eggs before heading home laden fruit cake thanks to Anne, rocky road courtesy of Pam.
We’re back in the border town Goondiwindi or Gundy as it’s know. Famous for the horse Gunsynd , for its cotton farms and friendly country welcome its been suffering bad press due to its outbreak of car thefts.
Pulling into The Border Motel we knew we would be safe at night when we spotted the black security gates and the police car in the car park.
We’re here to join our group of travellers for the infamous Boomi amateur thespian society’s musical. This years theme had us raiding dress up boxes and second hand shops. And for one of our group a trip to Bunnings!
All shall be revealed tomorrow!
We rolled into Gundy in convoy on Thursday and rendezvoused at the Harrisons house before heading to the Railway Hotel for a country steak dinner.
Friday we headed off with guide Mike in a small bus for a tour to a cotton farm. The farm is one of the bigger ones in the area “Alcheringa” owned by the family who also own the Goondiwindi cotton shop in town. This business is well known in the fashion industry for its good quality cotton clothing.
Mike gave the best tour explaining the planting, growing, harvesting and production of cotton. It’s a great story especially hearing how it’s being managed now to save water.
We collected our cotton samples including handfuls of seed to plant our own cotton plant at home. Possibly not enough for a tshirt!
We headed back to town to the Customs House museum for coffee and damper – it’s a type of scone served with golden syrup. And it’s delicious.
Then a visit to the cotton shop for a few purchases.
A quiet afternoon wandering the town enjoying the bright street art.
Street art
Then a relaxed dinner at the Harrison’s house where we all lent a hand in the kitchen.
The front verandah was the perfect place to chat and show and tell about our costumes for tomorrow’s mad hatters dress up for Boomi.
After nearly 9 weeks , multiple beds , thousands of miles driven, meals eaten, Gins drunk, beds slept in , showers negotiated, meeting lovely friends, seeing unbelievable scenery, taking hundreds of photos , walked kilometres……. It’s time for home.
But first we have a few more friends to visit.
We said goodbye to John & Lisa our ‘in laws’ who are so much fun to travel with and flew to LA.
It always amazes me that our beautiful fun friends Dan & Izzy Garr live about 10 mins from LA airport but when you get there it’s a quiet children friendly suburb. Westchester is great. Only 11 mins to the beach Dan swims at most days, 29 mins from Dan’s work called Hot Buttered Elves, a design place where he invents – products , toys and makes models for movies. It’s 15 mins from Izzy’s work at Mattel, where she is head of the design team for Barbie.
As you can tell they are creative. And their sons Max , 21 is studying Film at College and Luke 15 is at school.
Our first night with them Dan cooked up a storm for us. Beautiful home cooked chicken Cordon Bleu parcels. Their kitchen is a cook’s paradise.
The next day they both had work commitments so Steve and I had a very late start and headed off up to Paradise Cove – a favourite spot of Dans. It’s by the beach up past Malibu. We had a beach walk and an early lunch before heading back and stopping at Culver City shopping mall to check out an LA mall. Much the same as ours!
Izzy was waiting for us when we returned. She really wanted to take us to her workplace’s toy store. It’s full of toys all made by Mattel. She said ‘ you really have to take your little grandsons some toys’ . I wish I had prepared better. It’s like Aladdin’s cave and I couldn’t decide. I was limited by size as we still had a flight from San Diego to San Francisco. But I managed a bag of toys. Thanks Izzy. Big staff discount as well.
Back at their house Dan was preparing for dinner. He is a super cook !
They kindly invited our friend Betty (my wing woman in Galapagos and Turkey swim treks ) and her husband Craig.
What a fun night. Dan has a big open teppanyaki grill and did the fried rice. Then there was the bbq – fish , scallops, beef, chicken. Enough for an army.
Dan in action. Steve with Izzy & Dan With Betty my ‘wing woman swim friend ‘ we swam in Galapagos and Turkey – next year Egypt.
We had the best night. Betty’s husband Craig has amazing stories of his time in the US airforce as a lawyer. As a cook he was …. But with Dans encouragement he was great.
Another wonderful night with friends. and a 🛌🛌🛌 bed rating. What comfort.
Saturday we headed down the 405 – the freeway south. It was super busy and fast so we got off and took the scenic road through the beaches.
There was an airshow at Huntington Beach. People everywhere.
We continued south to San Capistrano. It’s a mission established in the late 1700’s when the Mexican Catholics lived in this area.
We called in briefly to the outlet centre. Steve bought more than I did!
We arrived at our friends Ben & Sharon. We met Ben on our first ever swim trek but have caught up about 5 times since. He and Dan & Izzy are old friends. I’d never met his wife Sharon as she said swims are his thing! But we hit it off.
Their house in Del Mar just north of Dan Diego is beautiful. They are still doing renovations but they welcomed us and we had a 🛌🛌🛌 stay.
After a glass or two of Veuve 🥂we headed off to a jazz night. Their son Eric is in a group at his school and they were the opening act for a more established group. We had dinner there and a great night.
And a good sleep. Thankfully as our flight home is 11.50 tonight!
This morning Ben & Steve walked down the hill to the beach and Sharon & I slept in. around 9.30 we headed down for breakfast with son Eric. A great cafe.
Eric & Sharon at the cafe.
We had a great walk around the area.
Beautiful beach side. Ben & Eric surf! Cute houses in the area. Bars with a view for happy hour.
Before long it was time to leave. Many hugs later we headed off.
A little detour to La Jolla just a few kilometres south. This is where Rob & Jordan stayed for a few months after leaving NY during covid. Leo has run his toes through the sand here !
A beautiful piece of coast.
Finally…….. the airport. A flight to San Francisco where we are now drinking a glass of bubbles thinking how lucky we are to have enjoyed a long ….. long ….. trip and still be loving it all.
But I’m ready for home. For our sons, our daughter in laws , especially our grandsons, my friends, the pool.
I’ll blame the weather! It’s been cool and a little rainy so I’ve jumped in and out of the Writers Week.
The program is for me a little hit and miss. Wednesday I jumped between Sloane Crosley and Holly Ringland and her editor.
I really enjoyed Holly Ringland the day before. She wrote The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. And is now promoting The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding. Holly is an engaging author and describes herself as a sensory writer. She uses all her senses and places her writing in a natural setting.
Also on Tuesday I heard Sally Hepworth. She writes fiction with a twist. A little murder….. family settings. It’s very popular here and in America where some of her books are set and all around the world.
Sally Hepworth on the move.
I went to a session with Inala Cooper a Yawuru woman with German and Irish heritage. In her book Marrul: Aboriginal Identity and the Fight for Rights, she shares a deeply personal and moving account of the impact of colonisation on her family.
The session was enlightening. Inala is a very good speaker and the moderator Amy Mc Quire was very good at letting us get to know Inala. Her father Mick Dobson and Uncle Pat have been involved in trying to forge a treaty. We heard about their trip to Geneva for the UN work on treaties with indigenous cultures from around the world.
I’ve also heard one of my favourites – author John Boyne. He was on a panel with other Irish writers Esther Freud and Louise Kennedy. And he had a session talking about his sequel to the Boy in Striped Pyjamas. I’m reading All the Broken Places at the moment and it’s wonderful.
You get a feeling for who is very popular with the audience. John Boyne is popular.
The audiences are mostly over a certain age. Others are probably at work! There are the usual seasoned writers week attendees. They know how to scurry into a good seat – reserving one for their fictional friend so they are not too crowded ( until approached by a game person who questions the empty seat with a bag on it)
I love a spot of eavesdropping at these gatherings. You have time before a session starts. Lots of little discussions usually involving books. There are some wonderfully well read people here. Books have definitely not gone out of fashion.
I had to leave for a while on the last day for an online ADFAS meeting. What is ADFAS? It’s a society for those interested in lectures by wonderful speakers on topics of a decorative & fine art nature. Check it out here : google ADFAS
Peter Fitzsimons without his trademark red bandana.
I arrived back to hear the booming slightly overpowering voice of Peter Fitzsimons. My goodness does that man like the sound of his own voice. He writes histories of people and events in Australia. His latest one The Battle of Long Tan is about the Vietnam War.
The moderator for the session didn’t have to ask many questions.
The last session of the week is probably the most relaxed and enjoyable Alexander McCall Smith. The sun was out. It was delightfully warm and what a treat. He is author of so many books – over 80 I believe & he kept us entertained with descriptions of his characters from books in his series. I’m listening to the audio The Bertie Project from his 44 Scotland St series. Set in an Edinburgh apartment block the characters are delightful. Especially 6 year old Bertie ! Have a read it’s easy and full of fun characters.
His series set in Botswana features Precious Ramotswe who is kind, wise and good. Precious solves crimes in a cosy readable way. Then there is the Isobel Dalhousie series. …… I could go on …..but check out his website if you don’t know his books.
And so the Writers Week in Adelaide concludes. It’s wonderful. It’s free ( I’m going to give a donation to keep it free!) and it’s usually great weather!
Oh Adelaide you have turned in some great weather for the first day if the Writer’s Festival. Not too hot, not too cool.
We made a few plans over breakfast and walked down Melbourne St towards the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden.
Adelaide is a beautiful place to walk. It’s mostly flat, lots of parklands and a lovely river flowing through its centre.
We had an unhurried walk towards the river crossing on the footbridge arriving at Adelaide University.
Installation outside Adelaide University
Arriving at the entry gate I realised I had left my phone – and more importantly my covid certificate back at the house .
A little shuffling …….A paper sign in and I was in.
First session was Annabel Crabb. For those who don’t know her she is a lawyer, political journalist turned media personality, author, Podcaster , mother and great friend of Leigh Sales of 7.30 fame.
She is also a talker or as she admits is a babbler. She talked with another friend Miranda Murphy who stood in for Leigh Sales and is the editor of their book. Well Hello.
The book sounds great. It’s full of stories and recipes and funny stories.
Annabel kept us entertained for the full hour.
Coffee called so we took a break and explored the festival site. There are many more people here this year. In fact they were queuing at the entrance waiting to get in.
The next session was Christos Tsiolkas and Charlotte Wood. Christos is perhaps best know for his books The Slap and Barracuda – and both have been made into TV series. His latest book 71/2 is something different. it’s fiction but based on his own life experiences. It called auto fiction a term which he himself didn’t fully understand! In it he finds himself cut off from the world and becomes lost in the beauty of his surroundings.
Christos is friends with Charlotte Wood another well known highly awarded Australian author. I’ve read her books The Natural Way of Things and The Weekend.
Her latest book explores creativity.
Two talented authors talking about creativity and writing.
We enjoyed lunch under the trees taking in from afar the talk with Clem Bastow and Emma Jones. Both authors have written about their late diagnosis with autism.
Our last session was Liane Moriarty. Very well known for her popular books Big Little Lies and Nine Perfect Strangers she is a down to earth lovely person.
Her books – and there are many are very popular here in Australia. Her latest ‘Apples Never Fall’ is another well told story set in Sydney.
We decided to leave and walk back in the sun to get ready for a 6.30 Fringe Festival performance of Soul & Blues. Only it sold out ! So I’ve booked tickets for tomorrow night.
We spent some time choosing a few Fringe shows and booking tickets!
Tonight dinner at The Lion. My sister in law Marg, daughter Vashti and little Florence met us for dinner. Such a great catch up.
Our plane was on time and as we walked down the stairs onto the tarmac we were reminded that Tasmania is much further south than Queensland. So much cooler.
The walk into the terminal seemed rather long for such a small airport. The security guards were ready for us with questions about covid. Have we been in high alert sites? No. Do we have any symptoms? No. Were we carrying any fruit or vegetables? 😅No. They are just as aware of passing germs to their fruit as much as covid to their people.
We were cleared and stepped outside to a warm welcome from Ginetta & Stephen. We haven’t seen them since before their 2020 year spent in France & Italy. We were meant to catch up in Edinburgh last year but no such luck.
We had a little tour of the docks and things are looking beautiful down by the water. Through Battery Point and along the waterfront to Sandy Bay.
Their house is beautiful. Newly renovated since I was last here. After the downstairs flooded they had to replace floors and carpets and have rearranged rooms. It’s lovely. Ginetta is a collector and has lovely pieces from her travels. They also have a library! With a bar and a sunny corner. We might not want to leave here.
After a delicious Italian style lunch the boys went into Hobart to visit the Mawson Hut and the Lark Whiskey Distillery. Ginetta & I had coffee with a friend from ADFAS. The arts society we are members of.
When the two Stephens arrived home it was Aperol time.
Sitting with a beautiful view we are very happy to be in Hobart
We looked out this morning and though windy on the SE side the skies were only slightly cloudy.
Following breakfast we set off in an anticlockwise way to walk around the island. That’s not as easy as it sounds. The beach is a combination of sand, shells, rocks and rock pools. It’s rocky on the ankles but so full of things to look at.
By the time we’d almost done the circuit it had started to rain. Hard and heavy.
So it was back to the cabin to change, have coffee and settle into some reading.
Our friend Frances had brought a puzzle. 500 pieces – all about Gin!
We moved at around 1.30 to go on a walking tour but again it started raining! So into the bar for a G&T
Then at 3.30 we took the Historical walking tour with Mary our enthusiastic guide. She was very engaging as she told us about the history behind Lady Elliot.
It was named – as many islands and places in Australia are , after the English who may have sailed past or landed…… disregarding any indigenous occupation.
So Lady Elliot is the wife of the captain of the boat also named LE.
It’s was mined for guano in its early days before a tourism lease was granted in the 1960’s with a guarantee it was replanted and an airstrip established. The airstrip was completed in 24 hr. The tree planting and growing took a little longer
Originally just for camping it would have been a hot spot without shady trees! to read a little about the history …..
We visited the graveyard with two graves. Both women. One the daughter of the lighthouse keeper. She died in 1896 of a cold that developed into pneumonia. Built in 1866 the lighthouse would have been a lonely place with a ship arriving only every 4 months. The 30 year old died before anyone could help.
The other was Suzanna, in 1907. She was the lighthouse keepers wife. They say after her 4 sons left the island for boarding schools she was so lonely she walked into the sea and drowned. Not great stories.
Our walking tour finished at the lighthouse and the tiny museum.
Visiting another city, even one you’ve been to before can offer opportunities for something new.
I had heard about the David Roach House Museum when talking to ADFAS friends.
ADFAS for those who haven’t heard of it is the Australian Decorative & Fine Arts Society and I am Chairman of the Brisbane Society. We have lectures on things of a decorative & fine arts nature: it can be painting, sculpture, gardens, music, fashion, porcelain…….
My sister in law booked us into the 10am tour this morning. It’s in Melbourne Street North Adelaide, a fairly trendy area with beautiful home and many coffee shops.
We arrived in plenty of time for our tour and were greeted at the door by name. The Director of the Museum Martyn Cook met us, introduced himself and took us to the stylish reception room. We were the only two for the 10am tour. Yesterday it was booked out.
Take a tour with me now. Let me know what you think!
The Reception Room
Our guide John then took over. He was super informed and gave us a very good commentary on all aspects of the house and it’s collection.
David J Roche AM (1930–2013), a collector for almost sixty years, spent his lifetime developing what has become The David Roche Collection. The collection, which spans the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and includes European furniture, ceramics, metal ware, clocks and paintings, is remarkable in its quality and range.
House exterior
The central hall
He came from a large Irish Catholic family and moved to Adelaide as a child. He had a passion for dogs! He had around 53 dogs and was a world renowned judge and often a winner of Best in Show. It’s definitely reflected in the paintings, ceramics and collectibles around the house.
The house is not big. He lived there by himself and often had guests stay in the one extra bedroom. Every inch of the house is decorative. All furnishings were custom made with no expense spared. The effect is overwhelming but somehow, beautiful. The collections are vast and stunning. From walking sticks, to hat pins, jugs, vases …….
The Russian room
Mr Roach’s bedroom
The sitting room
The Library.
The kitchen collectibles
Then the urn where Mr Roach’s ashes are kept.
We had a wonderful tour for 2! I urge you to visit.
A century ago the guns fell silent on the Western Front.
On the anniversary of the Armistice we honour all those who sacrificed their lives in World War 1.
The end of the War came suddenly. The Armistice that had brought the end of the fighting was signed in a railway carriage in a forest clearing in Compiegne, France, on 11November.
Six hours later, at 11am, the guns fell silent.
I have walked the battlefields of France. I have seen the fields where the action took place, where bodies fell and sadly where the bodies Rest In Peace.
It sends shivers right through you. The words on the headstones restricted to 60 characters tell about those who would not be returning home. Their age, something about them.
Remember them with pride on this special day. ‘They shall not grow old …..’
Attending today’s ceremony in Canberra was a privilege. The silence and respect shown is moving.
The crowds were quiet and respectful.
At the conclusion of the ceremony we walked to the National Carillon. We were fortunate to hear the bells accompanying the Canberra City band perched high up in the tower than makes the Carillon.
Canberra has beautiful spaces to be able enjoy concerts, parades, ceremonies.
We finished the day at the National Portrait Gallery, a beautiful space filled with wonderful portraits. A cross section of Australians including a familiar Queenslander.
There was a Concert at 4pm. Evensong. The four voices echoed through the gallery. It was quite beautiful. A lovely way to end the afternoon.
Tonight we had dinner in Hughes with John & Judy, Brett & Jenny. Steve went to school with John, Brett & Jenny at Telopea Park High School and since their reunion 7 years ago we have kept in touch. They are great fun and we had a a lively night with them reminiscing- they even got the school albums out!
That’s the nice things about old school friends. You just pick up where you left off! They are now planning their next reunion. Sounds promising.
frans travel tales 