Philippines – drive on the left or right?

Sta. Cruz Plaza, Manila, circa early 1930s.

When I was looking at those old movies of Manila that I posted yesterday, I noticed something strange: vehicles were driving on the left side of the road! But now all traffic travels on the right (mostly). So what’s going on?

It turns out (according to Wikipedia) that that the Philippines originally drove on the left. It wasn’t until 10th March 1945, the last day of the Battle of Manila, that traffic switched to the right. The reason? To facilitate troop movements. (?)

 

The Philippines as it once was

This post is a collection of videos of the Philippines as it was in the old days. Continue reading

My Dad and cancer

One moonless night in the 1960s Dad was assigned to look after a fatal motor accident. A pedestrian had been hit and the driver of the car had gone into deep shock and was taken to Auburn Hospital.  Continue reading

My Dad and the beer strike

In the early 1960s Dad was based at Lidcombe police station in the western suburbs of Sydney. Each morning on arriving at the station he would check the cells to see what the night had brought.  One morning he found a small man of about 60 years there. It was obvious to Dad he was not a vagrant, drunk or no-hoper, so Dad chatted with him and found his story to be quite interesting. Continue reading

Much Ado About Nothing

I never enjoyed Shakespeare at school – the language seemed impenetrable. However over the years I’ve come to appreciate that the English language owes a lot to Shakespeare. Some say his influence was greater than any other person. Continue reading

Easter Hat Parade

Every Easter Gaby and Sabine’s school has a hat parade. Years 1 and 2 dress up with crazy hats and the assembly quadrangle is decorated by year 3. Gaby is in year 2 and Sabine is in year 3. Continue reading

Happy birthday Kriscia


Kriscia celebrates her ??? birthday with family, presents and cake. Continue reading

Scattering Uncle Irvine’s ashes

It’s one year to the day since Uncle Irvine passed away. His wish was for Continue reading

More photos of baby Sadhbh

Another visit to the Mater Hospital, North Sydney to visit my new granddaughter, Sadhbh. Continue reading

Baby Sadhbh first photos

We visited our new granddaughter today and needless to say we are besotted. She’s a gorgeous little girl as you can see in the photos. Continue reading