Between client sessions and new house-y stuff it’s been quite busy around here the last few weeks (read months). And it seems the weatherman has had forewarning of what moments of quiet and nothingness we have had, sending the wind and the rain along just long enough to thwart any ideas of outdoor adventures. Well – Ha!, Mr Weatherman – we beat you this time!
It was glorious out today, albeit a little cold (so, we didn’t quite win), and we had plans. Just a little time out together as a family. To laugh and run and explore and play.
Almost 12 months ago we signed up for our very own FOTZ pass, which stands for Friends Of The Zoo. The small, business-card sized piece of paper meant we had unlimited entry, for 12 months, to Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Werribee Open Range Zoo. We’ve managed to make it several times each to the first two, but not Werribee. To be honest we weren’t even sure the kids would get anything out of Werribee as they were mostly interested in the on-ground play equipment at Melbourne and Healesville. The animals were merely a distraction after they bored of the swings and slides. And there weren’t any playgrounds at Werribee. Just animals, strangely enough. But we figured as we were running dangerously close to the last few days of our subscription that we may as well make the most of it, and the beautiful weather, and the time off, and the great moods. It had all come together for good.
True, there were no playgrounds. But there were buses. Great big tour buses. And each of the 45 minutes we had to wait once we got there until the next one was due to depart was punctuated with ‘Daddy, we’re going on the bus’ – sung, rather than merely spoken. ‘Yes, Jaedon. We are going on the bus.’ Did he even realise he was surrounded by lions, and giraffes, zebras and hippos. I think not. Buses are right up there with trams, falling only slightly behind trains, and to our three and a half year old boy are a whole lot more exciting than the wilds of Africa. And Alicia-Rae was more interested in the rocks, as she generally is. She’s very passionate about her rocks, and would make our resident Geologist, Uncle Lorne, very proud. But they came around in the end, both of them, and soon had their heads thrust through the window like exuberant puppies on the car-ride of their lives. The only thing missing was the drool.
I’m not sure about the rest of my family, but I had a wonderful time. Mostly because I’m actually pretty sure they had a great time too. Having cleverly forgotten to pack the pram (it was all part of the plan, honest) the kids had no choice but to walk and run (and jump) everywhere. Nothing spells out freedom quite like two young children let loose amongst wild animals. I almost couldn’t tell which was which. The innocence in the fun, and the simplicity of their joy reminded me again of what life is all about.
Our Fotz membership runs out next weekend, so I guess we’ll have to search further afield for some wild fun and grand adventures. I’m sure it won’t be too hard though – every day is an adventure to the young, and those that choose to live like the young. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
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Click here for some more images from our day. 🙂
Narrelle x