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Newcastle

 

After Edinburgh we travelled to Sterling and then down into England (via Hexham) to Newcastle upon Tyne; the City of my birth.  Our hotel, The Copthorne, was, still within our budget, one of the best we stayed in in England. 

We had only a day to see some of the points of interest and unfortunately there is now a large shopping mall at the top of Grey Street.  And we spent the day on foot when we should have used the car. 

So on the whole I left disappointed, having failed to show Wendy places I had previously enjoyed in the city; or to return to where my family had lived or worked.

Nevertheless we walked down along the river and I took some photographs of a few points of interest including the High Level Bridge and Tyne Bridge; that was Dorman Long & Co's miniature prototype for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.


Tyne Bridge

Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

Dorman Long
Dorman Long & Co - engineers of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

 

This has interested me since a boy.  My father often mentioned this relationship between Newcastle and Sydney and it was probably a factor in them choosing Sydney as our new home in 1948. I have talked about this elsewhere on this website.

Grey's Monument, reminiscent of Nelson's column, at the head of Grey and Grainger Streets is also of interest; as is the cute little Central Arcade nearby.


Grainger Street

Central Arcade

 

Charles Earl Grey was Prime Minister of Britain in the early 19th century and was noted for successful passage of the (Parliamentary) Reform Act; and for Catholic emancipation.

Grey's Monument
The foot of Grey's Monument

 

He is also famous for his affair with the Duchess of Devonshire; and for giving his name to Earl Grey tea.   He is memorialised in Newcastle because the Greys were/are a long-established Northumbrian family seated at Howick Hall, near Alnwick; about 50 km north of Newcastle.

Grey was succeeded as PM by Lord Melbourne, after whom Melbourne Australia is named. Melbourne's wife gained similar notoriety to the Duchess of Devonshire by having an affair with Lord Byron; described by his previous (also married) lover, Lady Caroline Lamb, as: 'mad, bad and dangerous to know'

 

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Travel

Bridge over the River Kwai

 

 

In 1957-58 the film ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai‘ was ground breaking.  It was remarkable for being mainly shot on location (in Ceylon not Thailand) rather than in a studio and for involving the construction and demolition of a real, fully functioning rail bridge.   It's still regarded by many as one of the finest movies ever made. 

One of the things a tourist to Bangkok is encouraged to do is to take a day trip to the actual bridge.

Read more: Bridge over the River Kwai

Fiction, Recollections & News

My Art and Artists

 

 

One recreation that I find very absorbing is drawing and painting. 

Having once been married to an exceptionally talented artist (now Brenda Chat) I do not pretend great skill or insight.

I always drew and painted but living with Brenda was like someone who has just mastered ‘chopsticks’ on the piano being confronted by Mozart. 

Our daughter Emily has inherited or acquired some of her mother’s skill and talent.  

Emily and I once attended life classes together and I am awed by her talent too.  One of her drawings hangs behind me as I write.  It is a wonderful pencil study of a life class nude. 

Read more: My Art and Artists

Opinions and Philosophy

On Hume and Biblical Authority

 

 

2011 marks 300 years since the birth of the great David Hume.  He was perhaps the greatest philosopher ever to write in the English language and on these grounds the ABC recently devoted four programs of The Philosopher’s Zone to his life and work.  You will find several references to him if you search for his name on this website. 

 

Read more: On Hume and Biblical Authority

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