Jan Leeming Blog

AUSTRALIA DAY

Date: 26th January 2012

I don't remember us celebrating Australia Day when I lived in Sydney. Maybe I've forgotten or maybe in the intervening 40 odd years it has grown into a much bigger event.

Jonathan had arranged to meet friends down near the Opera House for brunch. Because of the usual sun, most of the restaurants have huge fixed umbrellas over the tables if they are outside. It was pouring with rain and I happened to be sitting under a portion which dripped and got a very wet backside. It was fun though to be sitting very close to the water and being able to observe the Ferry race etc. The weather improved and I eventually dried out.

Rather like the opening day of the Sydney Festival, there's heaps to do and so much going on that you don't know where to start. We walked up from Circular Quay towards the centre of town and Hyde Park. Along the way there was a display of old fire engines and very interesting they were too. J took a photo of me with a fireman in the uniform of the day standing against a delightful old machine - Hugs were for free so I had one. I'm also wearing a silly thing in my hair - me who won't even wear a paper hat at Christmas. But somehow you just let your hair down and join in.

Around Hyde Park there was a fantastic display of Vintage cars - one hundred year old Rolls Royces right up to 30 year old Ferraris. I even saw one Frog Eyed Sprite (they call them Bug-Eyed sprite) which was my very first car. I had it all of one day and it zig-zagged out of control and turned over trapping me underneath. I sustained facial injuries and various other cuts and bruises. I was extremely fortunate to have been put into the care of Mr. John Barron at Odstock Hospital in Salisbury. John had trained under Sir Archibald McIndoe who carried out the reconstructive surgery on the faces and hands of many fighter pilots who suffered burns during WW2. My father was quick thinking and had the AA look at the car. The reason for the accident was that there was one radial tyre on the front. If you use radials you must use them in pairs and then they go on the back. Not long after my accident, it became illegal to use one radial and to have it at the front.

We popped into The Historical society and listened to two very short talks on How Sydney got its name and Crook as Rookwood. Rookwood is the largest Cemetery in the Southern Hemisphere with over one million 'inhabitants'. Crook is the Australian word for not feeling well. Surprisingly, that talk was also very interesting.

Parliament House was open to visitors and we had free range around the Upper and Lower House and a look at the Members Garden which had in it a statue of St. Thomas More which I photographed to show people who visit Canterbury Cathedral. Thomas More was a trusted member of Henry V111's inner court but when he went against the King's wishes and stood up for his Religious beliefs, Henry had him beheaded.

Jonathan and I raced back to Circular Quay but just missed the Aerial display by some Tiger Moths. Having walked for four hours, I am now nursing a very swollen ankle and trying to rest it as much as possible. My holiday is drawing to a close and I shall be so sad to leave my lovely son and return to gloomy England. The only thought that cheers me is that I can get stuck into my René Mouchotte project which, with the help of Ian Reed - Director of the Elvington Museum - is coming along apace. So wish me luck and hopefully my long awaited documentary will finally get made. This has been a quest now for just under 5 years so if ever Patience is rewarded, I might get there. Bye for now, Jan

Flicky and Me with Fireman and one of the quaint old Fire Engines

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COFF'S HARBOUR

Date: 25th January 2012

When I lived in Sydney in the 60's I met a girl - a very good make-up artist trained at the BBC. Funnily enough we both remember the party at which we met and also both remembered that our host - Roger Murray Leach had the bath filled with ice and on top were dozens and dozens of oysters! My friend came back to England to get married but has remained living in Sydney. I was one of her bridesmaids and we have kept in touch over the years.

She's recently moved from Palm Beach up to a place just south of Coff's Harbour. I had to fly up there - a road or rail journey would have taken far too long now that I''m nearing the end of my holiday. She has a lovely home in an idyllic spot surrounded by trees and bush - in fact I saw a kangaroo on her driveway so rural is the position. It was lovely to catch up but Oh! the weather. It absolutely bucketed down in torrents for the three days I was there. We had one brief respite when we were able to take the poor dog for a walk on the beach. Apart from that it just rained and rained. The river burst its banks and people in Repton Caravan Park had to evacuate the site. Bellingen was cut off and the Waterfall Way which I would have loved to visit was cut off by a landslide.

When I returned to Sydney, it was bucketing down here too and of course you could not get a cab for love nor money. I walked back to Jonathan's flat from the tube station and got drenched as I had no umbrella. At least the rain is warm. The weather has been very disappointing and I'm not sure it is just the pleasantness of memories but I don't remember Sydney having so much rain in high summer. (I had commented to Jonathan that I was very impressed with the multitude of taxis which always appear to be on offer - but like anywhere else, once the weather is inclement you can't get one)

Close to Kit's house, a family of Roos - Mother, Father and Joey.  Wasn't quick enough to get a photo of the Roo on Kit's Drive.

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ODDS AND ENDS

Date: 20th January 2012

Once again I apologize that my blogs come out in one lump when I'm away from home and working on an Ipad - I'll correct this when I return, reluctantly, to the UK.

Travel. Our trip up to the Rainforest was a flight there on Virgin Australia and return on Quantas - what a huge difference in comfort etc. OK so we were only travelling economy on Virgin Australia but on a flight just short of 3 hours they woudln't even give my son a glass of water. I do appreciate the 'No frills' flights but what they offer to purchase by way of food and drink is rather poor and very unappetising so we saved our appetities for a dinner in the Thala Beach Hotel.

On the return journey we pitched up at the Virgin Australia counter only to be told we weren't on the flight - our fault as we'd not looked at our tickets and just assumed we were with the same carrier both ways. So we returned on Quantas and it was luxury compared with the outbound flight. We had Inflight entertainment and a relatively good choice of films and also a meal which wasn't bad.

I'm going up to Coff's Harbour on Sunday to see a very old friend from my days of living in Sydney so I've opted for Quantas even though it is only a hop, skip and a jump flight. To be fair, although I thought Virgin Australia was on a par with Ryan Air, I must admit that I've flown Premium Economy to Cape Town on both Virgin and BA and Virgin beats BA hands down with a dedicated cabin for those of us who have paid double the Economy fare and you also get better food and two dedicated toilets. As someone with three kidneys, the toilet faciities are actually quite important to me. I have reached an age and a stage where, on a long flight, I simply cannot do 'Economy' any more - I get off aching in back, neck and virtually everywhere else. Not being Rich I opt to pay for Premium Economy on a long flight and think the extra cost is well worth it - unless, as has happened in the past, you get folk travelling in Business or First who send the Nanny and children back into Economy or Premium and then we have to put up with the little darlings!!!!

Went up to the Blue Mountains on Wednesday to see my very dear friend from Theatre days in the 60's - Michael Laurence. Travelled by train and was astounded at how low was the fare. The seats were comfortable but the trains, both ways, were absolutely covered in graffitti, daubed on the carriage walls and scratches all over the windows and as for the Toilets - I thought British and French trains were bad enough but there was only one word for the Sydney to Lithgow facilities - excrable.

I don't know when I will be able to visit Michael again and we are all getting older so I burned the plastic yet again and took us to Lunch at the Echo Point Hotel. It didn't disappoint being in a superb position right on the edge of the Mountains with a wonderful vista in every direction. Last Christmas I treated us to Christmas lunch at the Lillianfels Hotel which was an absolute experience but, in terms of position Echo Point is better.

A friend from my website - who had contacted me and had much information about René Mouchotte- took me to lunch in Sydney yesterday. We caught a Water Taxi from the Man O War steps (close to the Opera House) over to Double Bay and had a very pleasant lunch. There was so much to talk about and he very kindly gave me a book by Col Jean Calmel called Night Pilot which was all about the Bomber Crews based at Elvington near York during WW2.

And, of course, I've just been appointed a Vice President of the Museum at Elvington so the information was very relevant.

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HENRY LAFONT

Date: 20th January 2012

I had the lovely experience of being able to put two elements of a family back in touch.

If you read my Blog regularly you'll know that in December I hired a cameraman and went to Paris to interview the sister of René Mouchotte and whilst in Paris received an invitation from the Director of the Elvington Museum in York, to attend the Funeral of Henry Lafont at Les Invalides. Henry was one of the pilots who escaped with René and Charles Guerin in a stolen Goeland which they took from under the noses of the guards in Oran and flew to Gibralter. Henry and René's sister were good friends and saw each other regularly until quite recently until ill health on both sides separated them.

Whilst here in Sydney, I received an email, through the website, from a gentleman in Brisbane whose Aunt in England had been married to Henry. Apparently my contact's father had left England and emigrated to Australia a long time ago and completely lost touch with all his siblings. I was able to put Paul in touch with one of Henry's sons and the cousins are now communicating. I felt really great at having been able to help two elements of the family find one another.

Bye for now - Jonathan and I are going out tonight to a dinner and sort of Vaudeville Show.

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EL CIRCO - SYDNEY

Date: 20th January 2012

Last night Jonathan and I went to El Circo - it is an evening of Entertainment part Circus, part Cabaret and part Burlesque and a Degustation Menu taking place at Slide in Oxford Street, Sydney.

It was a superb evening - can't say I have enjoyed anything so much in a long time. Having been to Le Moulin Rouge in Paris last summer and been hugely disappointed - not in the show which was very good - but in the vast arena seating about 2,000 and a very very poor meal, I was preparing myself with hope but also possible disappointment. The venue in Oxford Street, Sydney, was small, intimate and atmospheric with tables seating two and four. My son tells me that when there isn't a show in progress it is a bar and dance place. The Food was fun - nine very small courses with names such as Edible Moorish Garden - hummus etc served in a terracotta flower pot - the main course was a very tasty Canard a L'orange but the course which really grabbed us was Virtual Popcorn - a Black Balloon which was individually pricked by our Hostess Claire de Lune - and out emanated the smell of popcorn - it really was fun.

In between all the courses there were superb acts - the type one would see at a circus hence the title - trapeze, contortionist and a girl who balanced on lengths of silk dangling from a hook in the ceiling - I cannot adequately describe the acts which were amazing. Another couple - guy and gal - did the most amazing pole and trapeze work. As the show is only on Saturdays with the occasional Friday, we both wondered what they do in between times.

We were extremely fortunate in that the usual MC was unwell and the person standing in was actually the creator of the show - Marc Kuzma. He was superb - dressed up as a woman in a classy white trouser suit and the only reason I will give away the ending is that this is not his normal role - otherwise I would not reveal the denoument. At the very end of the show he takes off all his feminine gear, the makeup etc. whilst singing a Charles Aznavour song and then reveals himself as a very good looking French guy. Marc indicated that on Saturdays there are larger groups and a different atmosphere but for us Friday was just perfect. If you are in Sydney and El Circo is still playing at Slide I would strongly recommend that you go. The price of the evening (drinks not included) was $99 each. However in Sydney you can easily pay that for dinner for two. Here you had an interesting gastronomic experience and a wonderful show. Thank you Marc, Eloise, Thomas, Toby, Mr. Gorski and Suzie Q and all the friendly staff for an unforgettable evening. At the Moulin Rouge in Paris one's cameras were confiscated for the evening so I didn't take my slightly bulky camera and then regretted it because El Circo allowed photography without flash. I took a few photos on my mobile but don't know if they will be of good enough quality to post on the Web when I return to the UK.

What do you think? Send your feedback to contact@jan-leeming.com.

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RAINFOREST TOUR

Date: 15th January 2012

Claire, a receptionist at Thala Beach, recommended that we take a trip with Daintree Safaris owned and run by Nicholas Fox. He is a one man band so that you actually get the Boss who is one of only 4 accredited Rainforest Guides. Other companies are accredited because of their facilities but Nicholas took a one year intensive course 19 years ago and learned all there is to know. He told us that 26 of them started the course and only 6 finished it. I get the feeling that the Queensland Government kind of gave up on this kind of accreditation. Nick' s vehicle takes 6 or 7 and is an extremely comfortable and well air conditioned vehicle.

(How well I remember our expensive Safari into the Namibian Desert when my friend Doreen and I were on the cruise ship from Cape Town to Southampton- our vehicle was meant to be fully air conditioned but wasn't and our romantic lunch at an oasis in the desert was at a huge plastic table eating buffet food from which the serving woman was constanty brushing away the flied. And as for the Oasis at which we were supposed to be lunching - there wasn't a drop of water in sight!)

Nick's tour was worth every single Aussie Dollar. We had two nice companions in Gemma and Richard who'd been told that anything Nick didn't know wasn't worth knowing! He gave us a comprehensive and very interesting walk in a section of the Rainforest where we were fortunate to see two very different coloured Boyd's Forest Dragons - lizards about 18 inches long from head to tail, several birds whose names I cant remember - should have taken a notebook - and he gave us a huge amount of fascinating information about the general Rainforest habitat.

Then we drove to where the Rainforest meets the Coral Sea and in the shade of some trees we had very good coffee in a plunger, tea if you wished and the most delicious small muffins made by Anne-Marie, Nick's wife. On the next leg of our drive we actually saw a Cassowary crossing the road in front of us. Apparently we were fortunate as they are elusive birds and one can never be guaranteed to see one. The bird was too quick for me to take a photo but we counted ourselves fortunate to have had the sighting.

We stopped at a lovely place and indulged in Rainforest Ice Cream - a little tub of four containing the flavours of Apricot, Wattle Seed, Macadamia Nut and I can't remember the fourth. Lunch was taken at the Daintree Teahouse Restaurant where we had delicious wild Barramundi fillets surrounded by all manner of slices of tropical fruit. The owner then identified the fruits, many of which I'd never heard of, and gave us a brief history. All very interesting.

After lunch we drove to the Daintree River for a short cruise. As we boarded we saw some weird fish which propel a jet of water about two feet high and knock spiders, flies etc into the water where they gobble them up. Jonathan very much hoped to see a crocodile and apparently Scarface had put in an appearance in the morning but he was nowhere to be seen. Our 'captain' was a Marine Biologist from Scotland who gave us an interesting commentary on the Mangrove swamps etc.

Our next and last stop was at the Mossman Gorge which the travel agent had praised to the hilt. It was the only disappointment of the day. Gorge to me suggests a deep Canyon with cascading water and either that was further up or the Gorge has an unwarranted reputation. It was attractive with its huge boulders and cascading water but I've seen a lot better elsehere in the world - and a Gorge and Waterfall near Durban springs to mind although I cannot remember its name. Nick gave us 110% and the trip was worth every single dollar. Can't remember enjoying a trip so much and not having the feeling that we were being ripped off. So I cannot recommend Nicholas Fox and Daintree Safaris highly enough. Thank you Nick and please may I have your wife's recipé for the muffins! www.daintreesafari.com

Beware of the Crocodiles!  And they mean it.  Not that long ago a Croc came up onto the Jetty and took a dog and on another occasion a small child was taken.

What do you think? Send your feedback to contact@jan-leeming.com.

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PORT DOUGLAS - QUEEENSLAND

Date: 13th January 2012

Having been horrified at the cost of simply everything in Sydney - and not just because of the weak pound, Jonathan and I decided to go for broke and treat ourselves to 4 days up in Queensland.

We had wanted to go to Ayers Rock - but its really too hot at this time of the year and we were told you get a mouthful of flies everytime you speak - YUK. We also thought about Tasmania but the helpful chap, Glen, in Flight Centre suggested that PD was a much better choice. So he put together a package at the Thalia Beach Lodge. I must say that it is in an idyllic spot - very rustic cabins on stilts in the Rainforest and near a Beach. Sadly for six months of the year you can't swim or even paddle in the water because of the Jelly Fish or Stingers as they call them out here. Apparently there are some which you can hardly see but they are deadly - and a sting, if it doesn't kill you wll shorten your life.

However the Lodge has the most fantastically lovely Pool I've ever encountered - a series of pools and cascades which look as though they are really cascading out of the rock. I so wish I could post you some photos but you will have to wait until I get back to grey, dismal, overcrowded England. Incidentally, I've rarely come across such friendly, helpful and smiling staff as are working here at the Lodge. Jonathan has gone off Scuba Diving today. I can only just manage to snorkel and didn't fancy 8 hours at sea so off he went and I stretched out by the pool with my book. It's an Alison Weir and rather hard-going because it is historical research rather than a novel. However I'm fascinated by the period of history around Henry V111 and Elizabeth 1 so to read about Mary Boleyn and Anne Boleyn in their historic context is extremely interesting.

After several hours by the gorgeous pool I took myself into Port Douglas.. It is a pretty town with wide streets lined with beautiful trees, flowers and Palms. It reminded me of Noosa and Byron Bay which I visited with my friend Kit some 10 years ago. The sales are on out here and the Aussies really do do Casual wear superbly but I have to remember that what looks great here is not going to translate back to the UK. Most of my Cape Town clothes are gathering dust in boxes because we simply don't have the weather for them in the UK and the bright colours just don't seem appropriate in a grey, cold and chlly environment.

We are going on a Raintree Tour tomorrow. We were told that the Mosman Gorge is spectacular. I hope it is though Jonathan and I remember some fantastic gorges when we did a Norwegian cruise with P & O when I was giving talks a few years back. You might find some typing errors in this but I can't see the screen properly because of the sun so I'll correct the writing when I'm able. The Cicadas have just started their nightly chorus. Jonathan should be back soon and then it will be a drink on the lovely open verandah and dinner. Bye for now from an Earthy Paradise.

Breakfast view from the Restaurant at Thala Beach

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SYDNEY - The Marble Bar

Date: 10th January 2012

What a wonderful find although by accident. When I lived in Sydney in the 60's I was an actress and worked in several lovely theatres among them the Ensemble, the Philip Theatre and the Palace Theatre in Pitt Street. Someone told us that the Palace had been torn down but that some of its iconic architecture had been preserved in the basement of the Hilton Hotel in Pitt Street. So, in an attempt to recreate and introduce my son to part of my past we went to the Hilton Basement. It is nothing to do with the old Palace Theatre but it is the most magnificently opulent, turn of the last century building that you could ever hope to see.

I cannot begin to describe the fantastic marble, the carvings and the original Art Nouveau Paintings - it was like finding a seam of Gold or Opal beneath Sydney's streets. We went for a drink but stayed for a light supper and a bottle of wine. By Sydney standards, and taking into consideration the fantastic surroundings, the prices were reasonable. I am totally shocked at what everything costs but then I don't live in London and am unused to the going rates. I certainly could not afford to live here even if my son gets citizenship. I would say that, on average, everything, but everything is double the price of the UK.

And the biggrst shock of all is that in this vast wine-producing country, the product of the grape is so very pricey. If you are a visitor to Sydney and you are interested in the past and historical architecture, then a visit to the Marble Bar in the basement of the Hilton Hotel on Pitt Street is an absolute must - and do remember to take a Camera - it's stunningly beautiful. Till the next time, Jan

 

Simply cannot do the place justice but will put more photos in the gallery.

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SYDNEY - HARBOUR TOUR

Date: 10th January 2012

Yesterday we went on a Hop On - Hop Off Sydney Harbour Tour. You pay your money and can get on and off the ferry at any one of numerous stops. To take full advantage of the ticket, you'd need to be on the water early in the morning but as my son has always liked his lie-ins (how many cold cups of tea have sat by his bedside when he lived at home!) and he has taken some holiday/leave we didn't get down to Circular Quay till lunchtime.

Our first stop was Fort Denison and though we'd not intended having lunch, the canopied restaurant looked so inviting that we decided to push the boat out and dine there. Actually for a tourist 'trap' and considering how crazily expensive everything is in Sydney, lunch was not too bad. I wish I could upload my photos and I know it sounds crazy but I ordered Fish and Chips and they came served up in Cones of Paper sitting in Cones of Metal - so very attractive and they tasted good too. It was very windy and the cloth knocked over my glass of (sorry) French Wine and without a murmur the waiter brought me another. I had only had a sip so would have been very miffed if most of it had been drunk by the tablecloth.

After lunch we did a little trip round the Fort - you can't do a Big Trip as the Fort is so small and then hopped back on another Ferry heading for Shark Island - called that apparently because it resembles the shape of a shark. We were very lucky - there were only two other couples on the Island which was absolutely idyllic. J and I wandered along the shore - me gathering shells and J looking for interesting marine life. All too soon the Ferry returned and we hopped on and then off at Watson's Bay.

When I lived in Sydney in the 60's I shared a few properties around the Edgecliffe, Woolahra area and I'm fairly sure that it was somewhere around Watson's Bay that we four girls practically roasted as we insisted on preparing a proper Christmas Lunch in temperatures over 100F and then repaired to the beach where I, unused to the harshness of the Australian Sun, got well and truly burned in a very short space of time. The last place I lived was in Mona Road, Darling Point and I'm hoping to meet up with one of the other girls from those days - another Jan.

After Watson's Bay we hopped off at Luna Park and then walked back over the Bridge to Circular Quay. I've done so much walking in the last few days, I swear I'm an inch or two shorter. We are going to take a short trip up to Port Douglas which everyone tells us is stunningly attractive with its Rainforest and Beaches. Sadly for six months of the year you can't bathe in the sea because of Jelly Fish so all the hotels etc. have good pools. Again, I apologise and am sorry that I cannot upload any photos because I really did take some super ones of the Bridge and the Opera House and also a huge P & O Cruise Liner passing under the Bridge. Jonathan and I have done several of the P & O Cruises when I've been giving talks and we've had some very enjoyable times.. Take care, Jan

P.S. For those of you in the UK - there was an article in the Mail on Saturday. Despite the extensive and lengthy interview which Richard Barber conducted, as always it has been subbed down to a story once again re-hashing all my marriages. I really do get so fed up with it. At least I married the men and committed, and certainly never profited financially from any of them. There is so much more to me and my life. Hey Ho - I'll never get past that side of my life as far as the Press are concerned and they aren't interested in the theme running throughout - that the guys were womanisers but at least they were all interesting. For the session I was asked to turn up with outfits from my wardrobe which I did and then the photographer asked if I would mind dressing up as Audrey Hepburn. As she has always been one of my heroines/icons, I readily agreed. There have been incredibly bitchy comments on line which are very hurtful. I don't think Alan Olley photoshopped the photos very much but he certainly did a fantastic job with the lighting so at least I will have a good memory of my umpty-umph Birthday. Alan also took some lovely photos of me in a Gina Fratini Dress which I've had since the 1970's and that would have made a good and interesting piece because only recently in the Telegraph Magazine there was an article about the sale of Liz Taylor's jewels and clothes etc. and there was a picture of 'my' dress only in shades of pale green. Someone once made a comment about my marriages that 'I'd married the men I loved and was rather like Elizabeth Taylor - and I added 'without the diamonds'!! Another comment was 'The triumph of Hope over Experience' .

 

Shark Island - one of the stops on our Hop-On, Hop-Off Harbour Ferry Tours

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JACKIE LAWSON E-CARDS

Date: 8th January 2012

One cannot download an Ecard on an Ipad. Apparently the late Steve Jobs didn't approve of the stranglehold which Adobe had on the market so the Ipad doesn't offer the facility. So thank you to all the lovely people who sent me the Jackie Lawson Greetings for my Birthday but I won't be able to view them till February. Jan P.S. I sent Jackie Lawson Advent Calendars to friends overseas Christmas before last but hardly any of them could download and as they were an extra cost, I didn't bother this year.

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