FRESH WRITING

Twenty years ago today, I sat in front of the television as details emerged about a terrible massacre in Tasmania. Jamie, my oldest, was due in six weeks. It was my 30th birthday. Martin Byrant, the shooter, was only a year younger than me. He had just killed 35 people and injured 23 others, although we didn’t know details at that time. I saw footage of Bryant’s interview about a month ago, like you probably did, in the lead up to the 20th anniversary. It had only just been r

Baz's 'church crocks': I’ve photographed these on a beautiful autumnal background, with the purple orchid-y thing peaking out of the hole-y part so I can show them off to their best advantage. I do this because I don’t want to bias you against them. They were named church crocks by me: partly because of the eternal hope Barry holds that he will one day get to wear them out in public without me walking 10 paces ahead of him, and partly because they’re his ‘good’ crocks as oppo

Ever had that feeling of perfect wellbeing? I'm feeling it in this instant, just as I’m writing to you. Admittedly, I’m staying in beautiful Coffs Harbour. Our first family holiday for about 18 months and I’m enjoying the peace of the early morning. (Barry and the boys just left to go white water rafting.) The sun’s just come up and the air is freshhhh. I think the birds have broken out of jail or something because they sure are happy right now! But there’s one standout birdc