Allegedly when I first visited the beach aged 9 months my mother placed me on a blanket within the strict confines of a playpen. Not to be contained I managed to scoop handfuls of sand into my mouth – the consequence being that I pooped sand for days. The moral of the story is…
Spectacular spring weather led us down today to an enticing bend of the Yarra River in Warrandyte. My four year old son had one thing on his mind – feeding the ducks, and came armed to the task with half a loaf of stale bread. My heart swelled with pride as my little animal…
A bit of happy dancing is going on in our house this week and not only on the part of the kids. The reason – it is Melbourne Show Week. Visiting the Melbourne Show was one of my most beloved childhood traditions and whenever I get the chance I visit agricultural shows all around Australia.…
My kids asked me the other days when the olden days were. It was a question that gave me pause for thought. I asked them when they thought it was, and they said when their grandma was a girl (the 1940s and 1950s) I said I thought it was probably when my grandma was a…
There is a reason I haven’t featured any family friendly properties in Sydney on this blog before. The reason is that despite visiting Sydney often with my kids I am usually disappointed with our accommodation. This disappointment is sometimes due to price – Sydney is fabulous, and popular for being fabulous hence hefty accommodation…
I struggled a little with what to call this post. Runners up in the title stakes were “The House of no sleep goes on a holiday” and “The house of cruddy lungs goes on holiday”. Ultimately though the “House of germs goes on holiday” seemed most apt. Because that is what our family is, a…
“Gardening is an act of faith in the future” the sign reads at the entrance to Veg Out, Saint Kilda’s organic community garden. Saint Kilda has long been famous for sex and drugs so a public demonstration of faith in the future by the individuals and community groups that tend more than 140 plots in…
I have a thing with hotels. Let’s call it a minor irritation. No, let’s call it a major irritation. It has to do with check-out times. Usually check-out is at 10am, if we are lucky it is 11 am. Once in a blue moon we may score a 12 noon check-out and usually we have to pay…