Black,White and a River

After enjoying a drive along the river and a picnic lunch we stopped at the lookout at an area known
as Bradys Lookout for some photos. It is named after Mathew Brady ,a notorious bushranger, who came
to Tasmania as a convict from England in 1820. He escaped the penal settlement at Sarah Island in 1824
and spent the next two years with 4 others as bushrangers.Brady considered himself a gentleman as he never
insulted or robbed women.This was supported by the fact that after his recapture ,his cell was filled with flowers from the ladies of Hobart Town.Nothing like a bushranger with a conscience but it did not save him,
he was hanged in May,1826.

Reflecting on the past ,reminds us of how far we have come. At present my sister is researching our family history and we are uncovering some interesting characters. As do many Australians we have several convict

relatives, sentenced to the penal colony for stealing such things as handkerchiefs , vegetables and other minor

crimes.All done no doubt to survive the poverty of the time.

Women convicts had to seek permission to marry and then in turn became the property of their husband,
I am so glad that one has changed.
For this somewhat reflective post I am wearing a pseudo Missoni dress worn as a tunic over black straight
pants. I have added a black bead necklace and a collection of bakelite and resin bangles.


 My black and white feather trimmed ballet flats from Boch finished the look but if you look closely you will
see a few feathers missing on my left foot.( thank you Raffy ) ,oh well , the joy of a puppy.

Linking with Visible Monday

and

Taking my poor shoes

to  Shoe and Tell

with Style Nudge.

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28 Comments

  1. Tiina L
    March 9, 2015 / 8:51 am

    A simple yet striking outfit, well done! And interesting history lesson, made me feel sorry for the poor bushranger. After all, most convicts sent to Australia were merely guilty of being poor…

    • Jill James
      March 9, 2015 / 9:01 pm

      Thank you Tiina,some times only something simple is the order of the day. Your observations about the convicts only crime was being poor is so true.

  2. Patti
    March 9, 2015 / 2:02 pm

    What an interesting story (sad ending for the bushranger), and what a gorgeous setting. Love the feathery shoes too.. Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday, xo.

    • Jill James
      March 9, 2015 / 9:02 pm

      Thank you Patti, always a pleasure to join with Visible Monday, thank you for hosting.

  3. Anonymous
    March 9, 2015 / 2:07 pm

    Those shoes are sweet!!Speaking of penal colonies have you ever read Franz Kafka's Penal Colony? I think it gave me nightmares off and on for a couple years.Family histories are very interesting, aren't they? In my family I'm only 3 generations away from some pretty backwood hicks. ha!

    • Jill James
      March 9, 2015 / 9:05 pm

      The shoes are still a favourite even with less feathers.I must admit I haven't read Penal Colony but I have read a lot of our early history and it makes sad reading.I agree family history can discover some interesting characters.

  4. Marea Dotz
    March 9, 2015 / 4:12 pm

    What a lovely place for a picnic and your family history is so interesting. I have an aunt( my dad's sister) in Dodge City, Kansas, who has traced our family back 500 years. She even went to Germany to find records. Must go see her. Our family tree takes up the entire floor space of her living room!

    • Jill James
      March 9, 2015 / 9:09 pm

      Family history is interesting, a relative has traced my mothers side of the family back to about the 1500's.My sister and I are trying to discover my fathers side of the family and this is more convict based so a little challenging.

  5. Debbie Burns
    March 9, 2015 / 8:10 pm

    Those shoes are great! I'm also a fan of black and white. I love the rich history of Australia. I read up some before I visited and I'm glad I did. Debbie @ ilovemylemonadelife.com

    • Jill James
      March 9, 2015 / 9:11 pm

      Thank you Debbie, I am a great black and white girl. As an early penal colony ,Australia has an interesting early history, glad you enjoyed your trip here.

  6. Natalia Lialina
    March 9, 2015 / 9:56 pm

    You look striking in this outfit! So very well thought through, and yet feels informal, fun and comfy! The wavy pattern echoes the curvy river brilliantly. I love parks and picnics, we often have a picnic when the weather is sunny and warm enough. The place is breathtakingly beautiful, and what a fascinating character! I enjoy learning about your country so much. I think Australia is so amazing, such a unique history. And the most unique style bloggers, I noticed, all come from Australia – yourself included!My Mom writes a history of the village where she grew up and found many facts about our ancestors, it's such a precious information to have! You, your children and everyone else will benefit from what your sister finds out.Thank you for your very kind words, dear Jill, you are a warm, wise, intelligent woman, and I treasure our friendship very much. xxx

    • Jill James
      March 11, 2015 / 6:04 am

      I hope one day the next generation will in time appreciate all my sisters efforts on retracing the family history,I know as younger folk we were not the least bit interested. We always enjoy a picnic too , thought we must take advantage of the weather before it really changes.I too treasure our friendship and always enjoy both your wonderful writing and the joy of seeing your confidence emerge. xx

  7. Jessica Jannenga
    March 9, 2015 / 10:24 pm

    Fabulous feathers on your feet, say that 10 times fast! 🙂 Super cute shoes and I love the chevron print. from the link up, stop by when you can, jessxxhttp://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com/

    • Jill James
      March 11, 2015 / 6:05 am

      Thankyou Jessica, for your kind comments. I still love these little shoes even minus a few feathers.

  8. Lisa
    March 10, 2015 / 2:14 am

    You look gorgeous, Jill. Cute shoes! I don't think I own anything at all with feathers.

    • Jill James
      March 11, 2015 / 6:08 am

      Thank you so very much Lisa for your kind comments. Feathers are fun sometimes.

  9. Elsie Davies
    March 10, 2015 / 7:12 am

    I wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned the feathers on your flats. You look really lovely in the chevron dress. Australia has come a long way indeed and the only way is up from here. Have a lovely week. xo

    • Jill James
      March 11, 2015 / 6:09 am

      Thank you Elsie ,you are so right Australia has come a long way since our dubious beginings.Glad you like the dress, its an old one but always good to wear. Hope your week is a good one.

  10. Jan Graham-McMillen
    March 11, 2015 / 5:25 am

    You are such a woman after my own heart! Hello, Jilly!Love a dress-over-pants … I'll do this all spring and summer. So pretty. I'm loving your black and white focus of late. Very distinctive and a little mysterious.We had a famous Mathew Brady here in the US just a little later in history. He was an important battlefield photographer who documented the horrors of our Civil War. Now I know what a bushranger is … thanks!(I might be tempted to pluck a little from the right shoe.)

    • Jill James
      March 11, 2015 / 6:13 am

      Hello Jan, so good to hear from you. You enjoy those dress over pants looks as your Spring arrives, can't wait to see them. Funny you should mention the photographer Mathew Brady, I discovered him while checking my facts. Glad to have been of help for you in discovering bushrangers.As for the shoes, they do need a trim but they are really on their way out as far as wear,.

  11. Jessica Cangiano
    March 12, 2015 / 3:06 am

    Those feathers are such a sweet, charming touch. I love that they're delicate and understated – so often feathers make a bold, roaring impact on fashion, which can be great, but as these lovely shoes highlight, they can be supporting embellishment players ever bit as wonderfully, too.♥ Jessica

    • Jill James
      March 13, 2015 / 9:25 am

      I must admit the feather touch is what sold the shoes to me. I agree that sometimes they can be a bit over the top. Thank you for your always kind comments,Jessica.

  12. Spashionista Alicia Searcy
    March 12, 2015 / 3:34 am

    That tunic is just stunning! I don't know which I prefer best, the tunic, the flats – or Raffy ;-)Thank you for the wonderful backstory as well.Aliciaspashionista.com

    • Jill James
      March 13, 2015 / 9:27 am

      Thank you Alicia , this black and white tunic is always good to wear. I thought as another dog person you would appreciate a liitle puppy naughtiness.

  13. dan
    March 13, 2015 / 9:18 am

    A really pretty place for a picnic and interesting details about your ( so far away! ) country…I always like to know about where my blogger friends live!Those big earrings goes perfecty with your hairstyle and match well to your outfit! I am sure you have already forgiven your terrible puppy … 🙂

  14. Jill James
    March 13, 2015 / 9:30 am

    That is the problem living in Australia, we are so far away. You are right, Raffy is long forgiven, it is hard to stay cross for long.Thank you for your always kind comments.

  15. ANA MARIA
    March 16, 2015 / 11:46 am

    Hello! You are beautiful with this dress and leggins.

  16. ANA MARIA
    March 16, 2015 / 11:46 am

    Hello! You are beautiful with this dress and leggins.

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