I don’t expect this post to mean much to many people ~ unless, of course, they are Waterford (Deise) people with a passion for hurling.

Hurling is a Gaelic game that’s arguably the fastest, most skilful game in the whole wide world. It’s played with a hurl made from ash and a small leather ball called a sliotar. There’s fifteen on each team and the games last for 70 minutes and are not for the faint-hearted either on or off the pitch.

The highlight of the hurling year is the All-Ireland Championship which is in full swing at the moment. Today, we had two quarter-finals: Waterford v Wexford and Galway v Clare.

Waterford were victorious and will take on the might of Co. Kilkenny in two weeks time. Kilkenny are recognised as the kings of hurling in Ireland but we live in hope that we will find a way to weave ourselves…

Mum 1960’s

My sister-in-law has inspired me by following the theme of  ‘Ageing’  today.

Like her, I love old photos and treasure the few I have of my parents and family.

So I’m sharing this one of my mum with our dog “Quenten Quinebell Quickstep III” taken in Northern Rhodesia in the 60’s – who I naturally, miss every day I’ve been without her.

If I could, I’d plant a kiss on her soft cheek and tell her I love her again;  then I’d call her great-grand children, who’d come running in to say ‘Hi Nanna’ with their infectious excitement, just like they do with me.

I know she’d love her sweet daughter-in-law Saowanee and be so proud of her tall, handsome grandson James and his gorgeous family.

She’d immediately see both of us in my beautiful daughter Jess and love to hear all about her artistry and dreams now she’s old enough to chat.

Each year the coming of the Astilbes in Mount Congreve fills me with wonder ~ a wonder that causes me to soak into the softest, most unassuming colours and textures in sheltered places.

Soothing Waves

Opera Audience

Decorative Dance

Some Other Guys 2 – British Beat Groups in the shadow of The Beatles

As the 1960s dawned winds of change were blowing not just across the colonies of the British Empire but also whistling through the great provincial cities of England.

A generation of young working class men, now that military conscription had been banished to history, no longer had to shudderingly look forward to years of endless spud peeling, square bashing and boot polishing.

Now, if they had the imagination, the will and the courage they could march to the beat of their own drum. And, if along with the drum they added two guitars and a bass they had a beat group!

If you’re looking for the great provincial city where the new call to arms was most resoundingly answered you have to sail down the River Mersey to Liverpool.

Liverpool was a great port city. And…

Meal Tickets

Directed by Matt de Koning
Written by Brooke Tia Silcox and Matt de Koning
Produced by Dave Kavanagh and Brooke Tia Silcox
Cast Mat de Koning, Dave Kavanagh, Will Stoker, Lord Charles, Leroy Slick, Nici Ward, Matt Doust, Pip McMullen, Benny Barbarino and Mitch Mayhem

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Meal Tickets is a coming of age roc-doc filmed over ten years about the lives of high school band mates and their roadie who dedicate their twenties to seeking success in the music industry. Australian filmmaker, Mat de Koning, filmed 700 hours of footage of his best friends to give this no holds barred look at being a rock’n’roller in an age where the Internet and social media changed the game. From Perth to New York, Melbourne to Los Angeles we are given a back stage pass to the gigs, the tour, the conflicts and indulgences. There is…