Fairs and Fancies

Remember the first time you went to a rural show or a fair, a market or festival?

Remember the first time you went to a rural show or a fair, a market or festival? The colours, the glitz the wonder, walking around not knowing which way to look first?

I am starting to sound like such an old fossil – but I think its important to write these things down. Things are moving so fast – its hard to imagine a time without mobiles or without the internet. I feel sorry for my kids and the children of today. A lot of the wonder has been stolen by the so called advancement of society and technology. Once apon a time- the only adventure rides and thrills could only be had when the rural show or a fair was held. Now all you need is a ticket into Dreamworld or the like – 365 days a week. Even then – the rides here are so professional – so slick. Nothing like the ones I remember.

I remember seeing the sideshow alley for the first time. The Ferris wheel was so thrilling, so high. The most exciting ride was the Octopus and when the gravitron and the Enterprise came on the scene it really took things to the next level ( Lilly has been on all of these at Dreamworld.. and she was 2 at the time..) Of course we were never allowed to go these rides. Mum and Dad were heavily involved with the sheep and wool pavilion, the showing and judging. As kids were spent the entire 4 days living at the show, helping and getting under foot mostly I think. To be honest, it was pretty boring, sitting in amongst the displays of wool and the sheep. Once the showing was over, our jobs had finished. Later on the committee ran a Lamburger stall and we would spend our entire time in there, serving and making burgers. I guess it kept us out of trouble. I remember also for years we would go around and collect beer cans to be recycled and turned inot gold for us to spend – but that was for future gratifications – not an immediate cash spinner for the show. However, I digress… the glitz and glamour of the sideshow….

When I was a teenager and had a little saved up money, a friends and I went on through the Haunted House. A huge darkened maze of spooky rooms, foam underfoot to trip you and luminescent paint in splashed places to give it a eerie feel. Period screams and clinking of chains set the environment off as we clutched each others hand and fumbled our way through. A few wonky mirrors and a teenager in a rubber mask ended the wander through this “house”. I remember the temporary feel of the structure, its boards creaking as we stepped through the small spaces. The temporary and totally unsafe feel of each of the rides, actually. Old gears clinking and rattling. Boards on bricks and power leads covered by hessian bags running across the walkways. Complete health and safety nightmare. The operators all wore bright orange overalls – like a prison outfit. Cony Entertainment I seem to recall emblazed on their back. Many of them leering and gawking at the country girls giggling and squealing in delight at the rides. Makes me want to go and wash my hands now thinking of it all. Urggh.

Our poor kids. I don’t think there are many of these decrepit old rides or amusements left. Perhaps attached to a circus or at a far flung rural show. I haven’t been to the Brisbane Ekka for over 10 years now and honestly can’t see the attraction to it. I believe the rides are around the $15 mark. Where is the wonder or the attraction to go on one of these old rides anyway? Especially when one of the big three down the coast will only cost $50 entry for the entire day. I will write tomorrow of our adventures at the Greek Festival..

Jigsaws

Over afternoon tea - puzzles come out. I particularly love this set as there is no correct way to put it together - it just keeps going. Its great for spacial awareness and logic..

The date.

I had such a delightful morning with Lilly that I wanted to include it in my blog. After dropping Morgan at school and speaking with his teacher, I found that we had no plans for the day – apart from my writing deadlines which I have been notoriously bad at keeping, and a research mission for my sister for a baby walker for Blake – now 6 months old.

I had meant to check out the schools training restaurant, so thought that today was a great day to do so. I’d worked as a lecturer at Portsmouth Tech Uni ( sort of a mix of TAFE and UNI) and they had a full blown restaurant and bar there – so was well prepared for the learnings that the students would be going through to have the confidence to serve us.

I would have to say that I was very impressed at the professional outlook the café had and the seriousness that the students took in serving us. The food was top notch and extremely well priced and I can see that this little outing will become a regular one. I am hoping I can include Morgan as well as it seems so unfair we are out having a lovely time while he is at school. I try not to tell him what we are up to and just tell him we did boring mummy things, rather than “we went to Ikea or to the movies…” I am now really looking forward to visiting it in the evening as a family. Apparently they do cocktails for $4 a pop.. hummmm can’t wait.

Lilly had her handbag with her and had ensured she had brought her bracelets and necklaces as well. ( one cannot go out of the door without these key items) We sat at a table and I thought it a great time to introduce her to table manners in a restaurant and the niceties. I was so proud of my little girl. She delighted and surprised even me with her manners. She drank water from her large red wine glass and dabbed her mouth with a napkin like an old hand. It was almost too much for me as I muffled the giggles and proud tears at the same time.

She ordered scones, lots of cream and chips ( not on the same plate) and we shared an enormous club sandwich. The waitresses were fascinated by Lilly and her composure. Though at times her table talk was a little interesting. ( loudly announcing that she had been to the toilet that morning and showing all and sundry the band aid on her arm.) owever this was sprinkled with “ oh isn’t this a nice thing to be doing mummy? and “Isn’t the weather nice today?” Liza Dolittle, eat your heart out.

I was so proud of Lilly. She really took it all in and practiced using her knife and fork appropriately; used her napkin a lot and remembered to put her cutlery down every time she had a mouthful. She really can be such a delightful little cherub and I just shake my head wondering why she thinks it necessary to be so loud and obnoxious when Morgan is about. I wonder if competitive sibling spirit is an inbred thing as I am so careful not to compare the two. Ahh well, I am sure this is the beginning of a great space for Lilly and I.