As usual at year's end life gets busy and interesting. Here are a few images that justify this claim. At the start of December, Armidale's privately run playhouse staged a gorgeous production of Broeknville. This play charts how a grouo of young people - aided by one older person - try to renew life in a badly damaged community. It was wonderfully produced and acted bfore an enthusiastic audience. Our little town of c. 26,000 people stages a huge number of excellent stage shows and musical concerts. Dot and I greatly appreciated this event. Look up 'Brokenville' on-line if you'd like to find out more about it.
Wayward Rambler
This BLOG chronicles the lifestyle and activities of the Sorensen family resident in Armidale, a small town located in the high country (>1000m) of the New England district of northern NSW, Australia.
Friday 15 December 2023
Exciting Times December 2023
Wednesday 15 November 2023
Fiori Musicali Evocation
Dot and I had a wonderful experience a few days ago. We went to a new and mind-blowing musical event of a kind I'd never previously seen. It was brilliant and I'd recommend its adoption where possible.
Basically, it was about celebrating beautiful artworks in Armidale's wonerful art gallery. And the music was songs about various art-works. However, the songs were - I gather - written specifically for this occasion. And the songs were delivered by Armidale's Fiori Musicali which on this occasion comprised 6 sopranos, 6 Altos, 6 tenors, and 5 basses. The conductor was Inga Brasche and the choir was aided by a pianist, a cello, and an oboe.
The first two pictures below show the room at NERAM where the event was held. They were taken as the enthusiastic crowd assembled.
I've rarely such an enthused audience. But the occasion was highly innovative, beautiful, well-delivered, and merged differing art-forms. I'm hoping for another such performance in the near future. Armidale may only have 25,000 people, but many are creative and innovative. It offer a lovely life-style.
AS
Friday 3 November 2023
75th Anniversry of the Hunter River Lancers
We live in an increasingly military age with horrible consequences for nations and regions. So it was with some relief that Armidale this week welcomed a local military group - the Hunter River Lancers (HRL) - who were granted freedom of the city to celebrate 75 years since its foundation post world-war 2. They, in turn, were successors to a hugely esteemed military group ... the Australian Light horse (ALH) ... which had many members from our region.
The ALH had quite a bit to do in helping to set up the current conflict between Israel and Hamas! Based in of all places, Gaza, they attacked the Turks at Beersheba in what is now Israel and their stunning victory started the removal of the Turks from Palestine. That in turn gave the UK postwar management of Palestine ultimately leading to foundation of the state of Israel post WW2.
Interstingly, Armidale's Light Horse Museum is located on a large block of land called GAZA!! Fortunately, this has not been attacked by Israel and nor does it accommodate Hamas!!
The HRL troops assembled on our creek-land pasture before taking part in a parade to the town centre and on to the city's main central park for the ceremony. The first picture shows the parkland concerned and one of the horses.
Nevertheless, it was a very interesting and memorial event. And it reminded us of how well Australia is travelling right now. We're a multinational country with strong ties to many adjacent nations.
Thursday 2 November 2023
Some Events Last Week - end of October 2023
Armidale might only have a population of 25,000 but it's host to many extremely interesting events. Here are some of the things that interested my in the last week of October. The first item isn't confined to Armidale. It's a picture of avery large moon taken from our garden.
Life here is not at all boring, but rather attractive as many of my posts to this blog regularly show.
Why don't you come and live here?
Cheers, Tony
Tuesday 17 October 2023
More Recent Activity 240923 to 151023
Hi there again! This time I'm reporting on 4 major experiences I've had over the last three weeks or so up to mid-October 2023. Firstly, I'll show some images of Armidale's old courthouse which was open to the public on 24 September. This building has been vacant for years while Council tries to think of ways of using the premises.
Next, I'll show you the meet-up with friends that occurs every thursday at 10.30 am at a popular local cafe called the Goldfish Bowl (GFB for short).
Then, on October 1, Dot and I attended a brilliant Jazz concert in a local theatre. It stunned us.
And, finally, I travelled to Sydney to attend Cousin David's 80th birthday party and catch up family members I now rarely see.
The courthouse is quite an imposing building in the main shopping centre. And the image on the right shows it maybe 70 years ago.
Today, one of the impediments to broader public use is the furnishing of the large courtroom as shown in the 2 pictures below.At this moment in time, we're not close to finding a use for the premises.