In Search of Space

In the introduction to In Search of Space, Journeys in Wild Places, Ross Brownscombe points out that ‘nature writing’ which ‘explores the poetry and magic of wild places’ has not developed into a strong tradition in Australia. Compared to North America and the UK this is certainly correct, and true writers in this genre are…

Late spring. Turning of the season.

Late spring, last light. The sky is pale but the colours haven’t leeched out of the land yet. The wind swirls through the trees, like a stick in muddy water, stirring languid but not yet hot air through the canopy. Last spring was wet and we had fields of chocolate lilies. This year is drier…

The Bundian Way

There has long been discussion about the trail that once linked the south eastern coast of NSW to the Snowy Mountains. It is called the Bundian Way. Prior to the invasion, Indigenous people moved between the coast, the Monaro Tablelands and the higher mountains. There are other similar stories from elsewhere in the mountains: for…

on walking, part 2

Saturday. Market day. Its about 3 ks from home. Out over Kalimna Point, down into Happy Valley and along Forest creek, then a quick wander up through the houses to coffee and company at Wesley Hill. The week’s craziness dissipates with every step, evaporating and blowing away. Another wave of clouds come through and I…

on walking

I recently heard a great Radio National program featuring English travel writer Robert Macfarlane. His new book The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot is the third in a trilogy about “landscape and the human heart”. As mentioned on RN, “in it, Robert Macfarlane travels the ancient walking tracks of Britain” and he spoke of…

Victoria on foot

You can see a lot of scenery out a car window. But there is no better way to get out into country and experience a place than walking. Guidebooks can sometimes take some of the magic out of exploring because they lay it all out for you. The guide writers have done all the hard…