Time for a Cool Change

We survived!

Melbourne has just endured four consecutive days over 40 degrees. The temperature got up to 46 degrees in some suburbs, and the nights stayed above 30 degrees for most of the time. We only have a little thermometer inside (as part of the heating system), but it hovered between 32.5 and 35.5 for pretty much the whole stretch.

Thank goodness it is over!

Sleeping was hard for the girls, particularly Charlotte. We have a little old air conditioner in the dining room (where Neil slept one night!) and another in the back room (where he spent another night!), but only fans in the bedrooms.

Here is how we did it:

1. The sprinkler/hose/wading pool.

Grace enjoying the cold water.

Charlotte hosing down the swings.

Early in the morning, and particularly late in the afternoon, we ventured outside and into the shade. We took turns spraying each other with the hose. The girls splashed in the little wading pool (Lucinda just dived straight in!). And we ran through the sprinkler. Being wet made us the most comfortable.

2. Wearing limited clothing.

One dirty, hot and sweaty little girl!

I didn't take a lot of photos over the last few days, and I can't include a many of the ones I did take because the girls are naked! Lucinda lived in just a nappy the whole time, and Grace and Charlotte wore their undies, or nothing. Neil got around without his shirt, so it was really only me who stayed fully clothed!

3. Spray bottles.

I mentioned water above. I took the girls to the supermarket and got them an empty spray bottle each, which we filled with cold water. They sprayed themselves. They sprayed each other. They sprayed the furniture (which I pointed out was a bit unnecessary!). And they sprayed into their mouths to drink the water.

4. Water and icy treats.

Our most popular frozen treats.

We drank a lot of water. Our water bottles all contained cold water from the fridge (since the tap was running pretty warm) and ice blocks. The girls played with and sucked ice blocks. They had frozen juice, icipoles, and icecream. We went through a lot of watermelon and cold grapes. Anything cold and wet was good.

5. Air conditioned shopping centres.

In a few centres, the air conditioning wasn't able to cope with the heat and extra bodies. But we went to a supermarket or shopping centre to hang out for awhile most days, and it was definitely cooler than at home. It can end up expensive, unless you are very firm! But we saw a lot of families doing the same thing.  And a lot more elderly people than usual. Some were sitting in chairs with water bottles and the newspaper, looking like they were there for the duration. And why not?

6. No cooking.

Or at least, no oven turned on! We ate salad and fried things like patties. And, because little girls aren't big on eating salad every day, we ate at the shopping centre two nights so they could have pizza or chips. We also found a McDonalds with an indoor playground, and hung out there for awhile more than once before enjoying a 30 cent cone!

It was tough. I hate hot weather. (Have you ever noticed that hell is said to be hot, not cold?) But one of the great things about Melbourne is, the heat doesn't last. You know that, eventually, a cold change will come. And when the wind picks up and that wonderful cool air finally arrives, what a relief!

Hanami Day 2013

My regular Sunday morning search for something inexpensive and interesting to do led me recently to the Hanami Day at the National Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda.

Held on 22nd September, this was a special celebration based on the Japanese tradition of 'flower viewing' and appreciation of the cherry blossom.

Cherry blossom.

Unfortunately, the cherry blossom happened to bloom a few weeks ahead of schedule this year, so the Cherry Grove wasn't as spectacular as it could have been. But we really enjoyed the rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas and camellias that were starting to bloom in other parts of the gardens.

Charlotte and Grace under a pink rhododendron.

Grace on one of many ladybird-painted rocks we saw.

The ever-smiling Lucinda.

Charlotte in front of a bed of daffodils and azaleas.

It seemed like most of Melbourne had the same idea as we did. The event was very popular. That unfortunately meant a long walk from the car just to get to the gardens, and lots of people on the paths. A few even wore traditional Japanese dress.

Girls arriving in traditional Japanese kiminos.

Grace and Charlotte enjoyed following the coloured lanterns strung in trees along the main path to the Cherry Grove, and they made a useful prompt for climbing back up the hill. "We'll walk past two more lanterns then have a rest!"

One of the lanterns decorating the path.

We were a little disappointed with the activities on offer at the Cherry Grove, which included a tent where a tea making ceremony was taking place, a few stalls with ikebana and bonsai, and quite a few stalls selling Japanese foods (where the queues were extremely long). There was also a demonstration of Japanese drumming, but we didn't fancy standing in the sun with the large crowd to watch. Instead, we had a little picnic from the snacks I had packed, then slowly climbed back up the hill for an ice cream.

Lucinda enjoying her lunch.

The National Rhododendron Gardens are free to enter, but this was the first time I had been inside. Even before the peak of the spring flower season, it is a beautiful place to visit.  Here is a selection of shots from around the gardens:

And, of course, the obligatory yet universally unsuccessful attempt to get all three little girls to look at the camera at the same time:

I'd probably prefer to visit the gardens on a day when it wasn't so crowded, but overall it was a pleasant outing. And until I can realise my dream of seeing the cherry blossom in Japan one day, this is definitely better than nothing!

An Afternoon at Schwerkolt Cottage

Last Sunday afternoon we went to the Schwerkolt Cottage Family Day in Mitcham.

Schwerkolt cottage is an original pioneer's stone cottage built by August Schwerkolt, a German-born pioneer, in 1888. It is set in a beautiful garden. Other attractions include a museum, playground, smokehouse, barn, and a shed housing a display of the agricultural machinery that was used in the surrounding orchards.

The exterior of the cottage is very attractive:

Wisteria just starting to bloom at the front of the cottage.

Grace on the verandah on the side of the cottage.

Charlotte near the back door of the cottage.

There are three rooms set up with period furniture and models as they would have been used by the original occupants.

One of the cots in the children's bedroom.

The girls enjoyed some of the free activities, including petting farm animals, face painting, and an Australian animal show. There was also a painting booth, but unfortunately they packed up fairly early in the afternoon and we missed it.

The soft, woolly lambs were Grace's favourite animals.

Grace and Charlotte as butterflies.

We finished the afternoon with some time at the playground.

Lucinda and Daddy at the playground.

Charlotte loves swings!

Schwerkolt Cottage is a place I had driven past previously, but never actually stopped to investigate. I think we'll be back to enjoy the garden and playground again.

Sunny Spring

Autumn is my favourite season, but spring would have to be a close second. I love the scent of freesias and jonquils, the cheerfulness of daffodils, the colour of bluebells and tulips, and the daintiness of snowdrops.

I also love the weather, which makes it very pleasant to be outside.

The last day of winter happened to be a warm and sunny Sabbath this year, and I took some photos of the girls in the garden before we walked to church. It was their first time in new summer outfits (but still with the stockings and cardigans required during a Melbourne spring).

I walked to church feeling blessed to live in such a pretty part of a beautiful city, and to have three gorgeous daughters (and a handsome husband!) to share my life with.

2013 Teddy Bear's Picnic at Rippon Lea Estate

On Sunday, 24th February we finally did something I've wanted to do for awhile, and attended the annual Teddy Bear's Picnic at Rippon Lea House and Gardens.

This National Trust property includes a mansion built in 1868, and 14 acres of beautiful gardens. Unfortunately it was a very hot day, and the heat combined with the crowds made it not the right day to explore the estate. We'll have to go back another time to check it all out properly.

Part of the large crowd picnicking in the grounds.

We brought along a basket of 14 teddies, leaving our very large teddy at home for logistical reasons. The organisers were hoping to beat the Guinness World Record for the largest teddy bear's picnic, but fell well short of the mark. Still, it looked like a lot of people, teddies and other soft toys attended and enjoyed the day.

Grace and the teddies waiting for the Peppa Pig show.

Our teddies.

The entertainment included a Peppa Pig show, which Grace and Charlotte were excited to see. However, it was the pirate MC who captured their attention the most.

The pirate MC introducing the Peppa Pig show.

Peppa Pig.

There was a small animal nursery, rides, market stalls (I bought a couple of great bibs) and other activities to keep everyone amused. Grace and Charlotte enjoyed the craft area, where they coloured a teddy each and put them up on display.

Grace colouring in her teddy bear.

Grace's finished teddy.

Grace and Charlotte's teddies on display.

The girls seemed to enjoy eating their sandwiches, cookies and fruit, and drank lots of water and juice. But by far the greatest fun to be had was climbing all over Daddy!

Little girl's picnic food.

Climbing on Daddy.

Neil and his daughters.

We left by mid afternoon, to attend a friend's birthday party on the other side of town. But by then we'd enjoyed a great family outing.  This might become an annual tradition!

"Every teddy bear, that's been good

Is sure of a treat today

There's lots of wonderful things to eat

And wonderful games to play

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees

They'll hide and seek as long as they please

Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic"

Growing Wild

We had another day out at Melbourne Zoo on Sunday, and particularly enjoyed checking out the new 'Growing Wild' interactive children's exhibit which has just opened.

The meerkat enclosures have tunnels underneath and lots of sand to play in.

Keeping watch.

A building houses reptiles, and ants scurrying through a perspex pipe between exhibits.

Checking out a turtle through a domed tunnel.

Near the giant tortoises, you can crawl through a pretend tortoise shell, or see how many people it takes to match their weight.

Giant tortoises.

Grace doesn't quite fill out the giant tortoise shell!

Being weighed on the scales, and found wanting!

The landscaping was great too, and the girls enjoyed exploring for quite awhile.

The bower bird bower sculpture.

Of course, the Keeper Kids area is still popular, and a great place to spend some time while I feed Lucinda in the parent's room. This time I arrived back to find Grace was a vet treating an injured kangaroo.

"You'll be alright."

The zoo also contained the 50 'Mali in the City' painted elephants that have been displayed as part of their 150 year anniversary celebrations.

Lucinda mesmerised by the colourful faces.

Grace's favourite - pink!

Mum and the girls.

The family.

The zoo membership passes we were given last Christmas have been great value. We're trying to make the most of them before the weather gets too hot!