"There’s a
dumpling on my plate the size of a miniature football. In fact, it’s
the shape of a football - which is why it’s called a cepelinas (zeppelin), after the famous airships.
The pale, doughy exterior is made of potato, and it’s wrapped around a
meat filling. On top is a sauce involving sour cream and pork
crackling. It may not be the lightest meal I’ve ever ordered, but it
would clearly be an unforgivable international snub not to try it."
Exploring the
beautiful streets within the capital of Lithuania.
Available
for
republication
(print
and
Web).
Images
available.
The World's Smallest Joke is Big in
the Apple Isle The Age, 23 July 2010
"Stop me if you've heard this one - 683 punters walk into a
Hobart bar to watch a comedy gig, and call it a comedy festival. In
2002 it seemed pretty funny, according to Hobart Comedy Festival
producer Craig Wellington. 'We put on a stage show over summer, and
called it "The Hobart Comedy Festival (The World’s Smallest Cultural
Event)" as a joke.' But it turned out to not be a passing
gag..."
A preview of the
Hobart Comedy Festival, with quotes from comedian Hannah Gadsby.
Available
for
republication
(print
only).
Images
available.
Villages of BrisVegas The Sunday Age,
20
June
2010
"Finally I reach Fortitude Valley and
mount the stairs to music venue The Troubadour. It’s a long, slightly
shabby space with a mellow doorman and a laidback clientele, fitting
neatly with the interior’s antlers, gilt-framed prints, mirrors and
softly glowing orange lampshades. I sink into a comfy chair, sip a
beer, and smile...'"
Investigating the
diverse inner-city districts of Brisbane, Queensland.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
Stars,
Cars
and
Other
Interesting
Things Escape,
20
June
2010 (News
Ltd's
Sunday
travel
section)
"Co-owner
Russell Crowe was tickled by the idea and donated a pile of props and
costumes from his films. He also bent the ear of a few of his co-stars,
and they put in too. However, as I step past old farming implements and
through the inner door of the barn, it’s not a Hollywood prop that
immediately catches my eye. On the left is a red and green motorcycle,
gleaming attractively under the bright lights..."
Exploring the
Museum of Interesting Things in Nymboida, New South Wales.
Available
for
republication
(print
and
Web).
Images
available.
How
to
Set
Up
a
Wine Cellar Capital Partners
Newsletter, 24 May
2010
"Sometimes
in
life
you
receive
a little revelation, a chance discovery that makes
you look at an everyday item in a completely different light. With me,
it was wine. Or more precisely, the practice of letting a bottle of
wine 'breathe' by opening it for some time before you intend to drink
it. I’d always thought this was pretentious twaddle, until one day I
unintentionally left a bottle of red opened for an hour or so..."
Discovering the key
elements in setting up a home wine cellar.
Available
for
republication
(print
and
Web).
Hungary chapter Lonely
Planet: Discover Europe (ed. 1) May 2010
"It's the beauty
of Budapest
- both natural and constructed - that makes it stand apart. Straddling
a gentle curve in the Danube, the city is flanked by the Buda Hills on
the west bank and the beginnings of the Great Plain to the east.
Architecturally it is a gem, with enough baroque, neoclassical,
eclectic and art nouveau elements to satisfy anyone."
A full-colour guide to
this Central European nation, with details of including
attractions,
accommodation, dining, nightlife, history and culture.
This book can
be purchased online from Amazon.com.
Not available
for republication.
History Tour by iPhone The Leader, 26 April 2010
Once again I've been on the other side of the laptop and
camera, being interviewed for Melbourne's Leader
group of local newspapers by freelance journalist Saeed Saeed, about my
Melbourne Historical iPhone app.
... and you can
see me talking about the app (and 19th century urinals) below:
Freo by the Book The Sunday Age,
25
April
2010
"Beyond the revelry, Fremantle has
always attracted writers. From big-name bestsellers like Tim Winton to
Miles Franklin Award winners such as Xavier Herbert, there’s apparently
something about the narrow streets and salt air that sparks creativity.
'It has its own culture, its own feel,' says Silvey. 'It feels a little
bit spiritual, and it's a really vibrant, caring community. Artists
tend to cluster around these sort of places.'"
Strolling along the
Writers Walk in Fremantle, Western Australia.
Available
for republication (print only).
Images
available.
Thespis Wakes from Slumber The Age, 12 April 2010
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad. But what
happens when the gods move beyond wrath and manipulation, and simply
become tired, worn out, and in need of a cup of tea and a good
lie-down? They hire temps, of course, a group of actors who can fill in
on Mount Olympus until they feel like returning to their heavenly
abode. That’s the plot, in any case, of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Thespis."
A preview of the
Australian premiere of Thespis, Gilbert and Sullivan's
first-ever collaboration.
Available
for
republication
(print
only).
Images
available.
New
Slant
on
Native
American
Way
of
Life Escape,
11
April
2010 (News
Ltd's
Sunday
travel
section)
"Guide Dakota
Goodhouse speaks in Mandan, the language of the tribe which once
inhabited the village, thanking us for spending time in this place.
Then he switches to his native Sioux tongue. He explains that the Sioux
message was much the same as the Mandan, except he'd also expressed
thanks for spending time with him 'in the home of the enemy'. But he
says it with a smile and a twinkle of the eye."
Covering the Native
American cultural highlights of North Dakota, USA.
Available
for
republication
(print
and
Web).
Images
available.
Archive
All articles in this
archive are
available for republication (fee to be negotiated). Articles can be
rewritten
to meet your style or length requirements. Please contact me by
email with your query.