Man died at desk

Posted on April 30, 2008 at 7:48pm | 1 comment

I’ve promised to write a book one day about my country newspaper experiences. As I head towards the end of my time at the Kalgoorlie Miner some anecdotes are coming back to me.

This one isn’t strictly related to the Miner, but I should be able to adapt it for the book somehow. (more…)

Rediscover the Library

Posted on July 1, 2005 at 3:44pm | 0 comments

My enjoyment of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series has caused me to rediscover the library. I simply couldn’t afford to keep buying them!

Apart from computers and electronic bar codes, libraries haven’t changed much since I last visited regularly some 20 years ago. Funnily enough they’re still full of books.

I picked up an interesting non-fiction book at Myrtleford yesterday called "Falkland Islanders at War" by Graham Bound.

It looks at the 1982 war from the perspective of residents, and covers in detail the short period of Argentine occupation.

Seems hard to believe the Falklands War was 23 years ago. I’m feeling my age.

My House in Umbria

Posted on June 4, 2005 at 7:19pm | 0 comments

I took the big kids and two of their friends to Wangaratta today to see Star Wars. While they were watching the latest in science fiction, I relaxed to view My House in Umbria.

To save some summary text, here’s the "New York Times" version … (more…)

Master and Commander

Posted on May 17, 2005 at 7:27pm | 1 comment

Master and Commander by Patrick O’Brian is a delightful book and a wonderful starting point for anyone interested in nautical fiction.

It’s the first in O’Brian’s Aubrey-Maturin series and I’m glad I started here, as it sets the scene for future novels.

Jack Aubrey is a frustrated lieutenant waiting in a Mediterranean port for his first command of the Napoleonic War when he meets out-of-work doctor Stephen Maturin. (more…)