Im so fortunate to have such a talented and loving family. Last year we all went to stay by the beach together and my husband Jim and I were able to experience our little granddaughter’s first seaside holiday. It was great as we live in different states and the quality time we were able to spend with her was invaluable.

We captured her joy on minidisc and Jim wrote a song all about it. It really brings back vivid memories when I hear it. I’ve uploaded it as an experiment to my space on Divshare. The song is called: GOING TO THE SEASIDE. See what you think:

Going_to_the_seaside.mp3

I thought I’d follow the example of some of the blogs I enjoy browsing and add the occasional note about the books (and other printed material) I am reading. At the moment I am engrossed in The Story of Snowy Baker by Greg Growden. Reginald “Snowy” Baker represented Australia in three sports at the 1908 Olympic Games and played in two rugby union Tests. He represented his country as a horseman and travelled the world as a champion swimmer, diver and boxer.

Although I do enjoy a good biography, I must confess that sport is not a topic I would usually find interesting. But there is a good reason for making Snowy an exception. He has a place in our family tree, admittedly on a very outer limb. His sister Jean married Andrew Sime (my first cousin 3 times removed). Or more simply, Andrew was the nephew of my great-great-grandmother.

Snowy Baker’s life story for me becomes much more interesting now that I know that he and his wonder horse, Boomerang, went into the early moving picture industry. Before heading to Hollywood Snowy starred, produced and undertook all of his own stunts in some of the first feature-length Australian films including The Shadow of Lightning Ridge. Apparently while in Hollywood, he played polo with Walt Disney and taught Rudolph Valentino how to kiss! Now there’s an interesting image.

It isn’t easy thinking of a name for your blog, is it? I wanted something that sounded cosy and had an Australian feel. I also wanted a name that gave the impression of nature and creativity. Couple all this with my interest in collecting and family history and - there you have it, Wattle Dell.

For me, it’s perfect. Wattle, obviously, because it is our most recognised Australian flower. It also grows in abundance here in the Blue Mountains where I live. I have always thought the word “dell” invokes images of ferns and fairies, things hidden under rocks and clusters of bluebells. It reminds me of cool shady places and treasures. Together, they are a special part of my family’s heritage.

A favourite couple in my past were my great uncle and aunt, Rita and Tom. Rita was my grandmother Amy’s cousin and Tom was my grandfather’s brother. We visited them often in my younger days. They handed down to me the precious gift of a family bible which was given to Tom’s grandmother (my great-great grandmother) in 1860 as a wedding present from her uncle Robert Sime. It was a wonderful gift that sparked my long interest in family history.

The home they lived in was Rita’s family home, built by her father, George Hopping, the first mayor of Ingleburn. It was called Wattle Dell.

This has been a long time coming. After doing websites for other people for a number of years I wanted to have a little space just for me. Now that I’m finally here I am lost for words. How does one start a blog? I’ve been tip-toeing around the edges for ages but now that I have jumped in I am realising how hard it is to put my own thoughts into writing.

Why did I want to do this? I think, as I get older, I am finding that the things I like (and the things about the world around me that I don’t like) are the things that have shaped me and made me who I am. I’d like my family, especially, to know the “real” me. Come to think of it, I’d like me to know the real me! Hopefully this little blog will sort that out. So… what will this little piece of cyberspace be all about? It’s my personal, occasional diary of thoughts about likes and dislikes, discoveries, creations and family. I don’t expect anyone to read it, or necessarily like it, but it’s a reflection of me.