Wednesday 27 March 2024

The Sydney Royal Easter Show



I took one of the kids to the Easter Show this week. I realised as I walked around, I had not been since it moved from Moore Park, which was last in 1997! I can't get my head around this. When the kids were little we took them to the Family Show in Moore park because you didn't have to pay entrance, and then as they got old enough to go on the big rides, I'd take the smaller ones to that show and my husband would take the older one to the real Easter Show after work one night. We were often away over the April school holidays so would miss it completely.


However, as stars aligned, I ended up there with my youngest after school. It was fun to see but oh so expensive! I spent $70 on rides for her (opting not to spend the same on me so I could ride with her). Weirdly, the showbags seem not to have increased since I was a kid. Infact, they seemed cheaper!  Though no Sunnyboy bag - I feel they should make those just for the show! I guess that would be a little tricky but it was the first thing that popped into my head when we entered the showbag pavillion. As a kid, I was allowed one showbag. I would spend hours (or what felt like it) trying to decide which one was the best value and then I would always end up with the Sunnyboy bag (for OS peeps, this is a weird triangle iceblock - Sunnyboys were orange and Razz's, my favourite were red. I'm pretty sure they were named after colour, not pretence of flavour in the 70's).

I was both astounded and delighted they still sold these. I have them forever linked with Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, a play we studied at school and went to see at the theatre. The seem to be that tenuous link to an age gone by. 

Anyway, as I started to write this, I wondered why it was Royal Easter show? Queen Victoria awarded the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales the right to use 'Royal' in it's name and to also use it in it's annual show. The show was specifically to encourage agriculture (thus all the food and animal displays). It was first held in 1823. Imagine the marvel those first Society members would feel if they could see what it grew into?









Do you ever realise you've missed something you didn't even know you'd not been doing?








Happy Easter everyone, and enjoy the long weekend. To everyone at Bluesfest, I'm supremely jealous! Enjoy!







1. All Seasons is open from Thursday through Wednesday 5pm, Sydney Time. 

2. Please link one  'seasonal' post a week. Please make it clear what the season link is. In words if not clear in the photo. It can be something to do with the actual season or weather, or it can be those things that happen once a year - Christmas, Halloween, or anniversaries & birthdays....

3. Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post.

4. Please comment on the post before yours and the host's. Don't dump and run.

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Monday 25 March 2024

-Share Four Somethings - March

Things I've loved The return of F1 season, being in an AFL tipping competition after many years hiatus,  the Biennale, many concerts, dancing - so much dancing with more on the horizon, a nice time with friends where the relationship has become very strained and difficult (at least the impact on me has) but there were moments where it felt like it used to, long ago. Time spent with other friends that lift me up and remind me to feel good about myself - not by anthing they say, just organically in the fun we have together and enthusiasm to make it happen.







Things I've accomplished I am exercising more (or with more regularity). Not sure if it is paying off on the weight side but it has to be helping the fitness, right?










Things I've noticed The increased exercise has helped with stress and it did shake off some anxiety I had in anticipation to a situation I'd agreed to that is not so good for my self esteem. I feel good about life after exercising, and it shakes off the churned up emotional impact of past events.










Things I need to improve upon The list here is endless. But for now I'll stick with keeping my boundaries strong. Also learning to just listen rather than try to offer solutions....I know what to do but my mouth does otherwise! This song really sums it up perfectly!

 

This seems quite a negative 3 out of 4 somethings....but it's been a pretty fabulous month, truth be told!










Sharing this song as it was played while out and the crowd went wild and we were elevated into joyful frenzy. I'd forgotten all about it but now can't stop playing it! 





Linking with #ShareFourSomethings #WildbirdWednesday





















The photos were all taken while exercising.

Sunday 24 March 2024

Street smiles

 I was wandering around the 'hood and these made me smile...

The walking bus was so cute, but when I looked at the snap later, the wall of colour was equally gorgeous. 










The new mural (though I did like the one it's replaced!)



When I took these photos, I didn't notice the lovely ladies that appear lit up at night.











Sometimes all you need is to look around you and really see what's there.


Linking with #MCoW   #HappyNow #MuralMondays and #AwwMondays (for the walking bus)

JENerally Informed


Friday 22 March 2024

'A calm mind is like still water, reflecting the beauty around it' or is it the other way round?


While down in Vincentia, I managed to catch the sky swimming in the ocean. Victor Hugo said “There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky" but if you capture them together, it is quite delightful.

I am adding discovering water reflections to my list of Simple Pleasures.




 

Different angles

 With all the greys in this foggy post, it got me thinking it was time for a quick view in B&W.  


You will be seeing a lot more of this location from my weekly loop round the bay as I get my fitness up for Ultra...yes, young people, some of us have to train for a festival. (I can't stop laughing at what an old lady thing that is.) 

You might recognise it from last week's photo from the other angle.



Thursday 21 March 2024

Dressed for the occasion....

 


A few weeks back I attended the magnificent ballet, Alice in Wonderland. If it ever returns, make sure you go. I'm not what you'd call a fan of ballet. I think I've been 3 times in my life (and only for one where I love the book - Three musketeers & Don Quixote).










This production is stunning - it's visually delightful and imaginative. Just beautiful.












I dressed for the occasion with my Alice bag and earrings. 

However, I was stopped a quite few times, both in the street and at the show. and complimented on the dress. I don't wear this dress often as it seems a little over the top (and I guess overly feminine for me) and yet that was the thing that stood out to strangers.







Makes me realise often it's the image in our head that holds us back. Like Alice, maybe we need to ignore what we think we know and be open to what's going on around us. Maybe we need to dress out of our normal patterns more often?
 

"Alice had got so much into the way of expecting nothing but out-of-the-way things to happen, that it seemed quite dull and stupid for life to go on in the common way.”


Linking with #WowonWednesday #TheRandom #AnythingGoes  #WowonWednesday #Stylewithasmile

My Random Musings

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Ten Thousand Suns


The Biennale of Sydney has begun and runs until the 9th of June. While it's spread all over Sydney, one of the locations is the newly opened White Bay Power Station. Closed Mondays, this venue operates 11am- 6pm, free entry. On Wednesday's, from 6.30 - 9pm there's Art after Dark, with music and a campari bar (and normal bar). Most of the tickets are free but by ballot (generously sponsored by Phoenix). 




I've been lucky enough to go twice so far, and it's a great way to spend the midweek hump. I quick tour of the art and then some live music, home by 9.30 so not too tired on a school night!








I love the Biennale as it gives Sydney a very vibrant buzz. Over the next few months I hope to make it to the rest of the locations around town.

1. All Seasons is open from Thursday through Wednesday 5pm, Sydney Time. 

2. Please link one  'seasonal' post a week. Please make it clear what the season link is. In words if not clear in the photo. It can be something to do with the actual season or weather, or it can be those things that happen once a year - Christmas, Halloween, or anniversaries & birthdays....

3. Make sure you link back to this  #AllSeasons post.

4. Please comment on the post before yours and the host's. Don't dump and run.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter