France’s favourite actor son, Gerard Depardeau has caused an outcry by renouncing his Frenchness and handing in his French passport because he is incensed at the socialist Hollande French Government implementing a 75 per cent wealth tax. And he isn’t the only one. Depardeau, who has many business interests in France besides his popularity on […]
Depardeau flees France
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Family Joy is the gift of Christmas
It is a pity Christmas comes only once a year because it brings such joy and happiness. Ours was a wonderful Christian family celebration beginning with the Christmas Eve children’s service at Concordia Chapel followed by merriment at home with French champagne, fruits, chocolates, dips and nuts. This set the scenario for gift-giving. Gifts are such a […]
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Keep Calm and Carry On Into 2013
As you read this, it’s your first reason to celebrate the dawning of 2013 because despite all the doomy prophecies, the world did not end. And despite the war in Afghanistan, Middle Eastern strife, the US “fiscal cliff’’ and worries about the debt-laden European economy, our corner of the world here in Australia enjoys peace […]
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French court rules thumbs down for wealth tax
In a surprising update on France’s tax hike for the ultra-rich, France’s highest court has thrown out the controversial plan to tax the wealthy at a rate of 75 per cent, saying it was unfair. In a further blow for the embattled French president, Francois Holland, the constitutional council found that the way the tax […]
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Of Cats, Frogs, Madmen and Shearers
One of the finer cultural moments of 2012 was a poetry event at my book club. We had been asked each to bring a piece of poetry to be read and discussed in some length. One of Australia’s outstanding poets is Dorothy Porter, who, unfortunately died in December four years ago. A prolific poet, she […]
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Weight weighs In Well for Longer Life
Oh what a gem of news which proclaims that a few extra kilos are worth their weight in a bid for a longer life. It applies to men and women who are slightly plump and not the obese, who face a raft of health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. US Government researchers […]
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New Year’s Friends, Fireworks & Memories
Hoorah for January, the best month of the year. Only New Year heralds a respectable chance to wipe the slate clean and, armed with resolutions, to begin anew on this adventure called life. The best attraction of the first month, though, is that it shuts the door so effectively on all the downsides and disappointments […]
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Xmas Pudding and Trifle terrific treats
Is there anything as sweet and alluring to the eye than Christmas Day desserts? Ours were a delicious trifle which was a treat for the eye as well as the taste buds and a home-made Christmas pudding with an aroma to capture the spirit of the season. Yet I cannot take credit for either and admit […]
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More Water Saves Mighty Murray
It is a once-in-a-lifetime moment at, arguably, Australia’s most controversial spot – the mouth of the mighty River Murray. Today, the mouth is open and a mere sliver of blue waters run from the river to the sea, but until recently, dredging machines 24 hours a day were needed to stop it silting over. We […]
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Diversity in Aged Care
The Federal Government’s national ageing and aged care policies move beyond mainstream to diversity. The Federal Government has released its first national ageing and aged care strategy for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people and for those from different ethnic backgrounds. Initiatives include sensitivity training for the aged care workforce and a review […]
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Heat, Dust, Flies – and Fun
BY JEANETTE COOMBES Certainly, this is not my best look! No Akubra for me, but the fly net is a must at Mt Barry working on a cattle station in the far north of South Australia in January. The weather has been kinder today. Only 37 – not yesterday’s 47! The water in […]
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C’est catastrophique!
What is more French than savouring a steaming casserole of Coq au Vin, splashed down with a quality bottle of Sauvignon Blanc served at a classy restaurant which has honed l’art de la table . The rest of the world could buy take-aways and fizzy drinks, but les Francaises like to think they […]
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Lung cancer overtakes breast cancer
A European study which looked at cancer rates in all 27 Europ0oean countries has released both good and bad news about women surrounding the diagnosis and death from cancer. Britain has announced that deaths from lung cancer has overtaken deaths from breast cancer to make it the most lethal form of the diease among British […]
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Women say Share The Work and Wealth:
Let us not indulge too much in platitudes this International Women’s Day because, although we can be smug about real progress over the past quarter century in achieving equality in law, the one big issue – violence – still impacts on women and girls. We could examine newspaper clippings from the last few weeks […]
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Family and a Frolic in City’s Mad March
Time slips by quietly and suddenly it is 10 months since husband Olivier died. Some friends say “time enough’’ for grief and beseech me to “move on”. And I wonder what do those words mean? Am I to forget my great love? Yet I can’t erase him from my mind and I don’t want […]
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Authors share stories at Writers’ Week
Writers Week in Adelaide was once more a smorgasbord of talented writers and I indulged in the unique atmosphere and being inspired by some of the world’s best authors. It now unfolds annually in the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden, a glorious treed space behind Government House – and the whole magnificent event is free. Celebrated […]
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Lush landscape in memorable journey
Mad March heralds Autumn and farewells the most extraordinary summer in my memory. It seemed at one stage the whole of New South Wales was burning in an ominous scattering of more than 100 bushfires. They followed Tasmania’s devastating bushfires and later in summer, some of Victoria’s national parks also burned. Here in South Australia […]
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Right Royal Beautiful Boatload
We have one life to live and it’s the experience of each moment that matters. Curiosity; serendipity; Whatever words you wish to use; its that desire to find excitement and joy in every day which makes life a lovely adventure. Today, for instance. We are in the right place at the right time driving along the Semaphore foreshore […]
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The Power of Words
American thinker Joseph Campbell once said “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.” They are comforting words for a new widow, and a quotation which I intend to recite morning and evening. There have been other really bad […]
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Our Easter feast includes a “Stuff-Off”
Food culture has invaded our Easter celebrations with all the birds roasted for our Sunday feast being filled with stuffings in our family’s stuff-off. The table is set with the best china, Josephine has picked flowers for the table setting, the potatoes are crispy and the three birds, the duck, the turkey and the chicken, […]
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