Wal's for lunch

 Out of the blue today Bob said 'lets go to Wal's for lunch'. So we did. Although it's only a five minute walk from home we take the car as half that time is walking up a dirt path and Bob's legs are not the best. I'm not sure whether he finds the dirt path or the asphalt footpath worse but he won't walk it.

Wal's Plant & Fun Land also has a cafe attached. On the left of the picture below is the mini golf course and the Miniature railway runs around the periphery. Another great attraction for kids and adults when it's running. I remember having a ride on it myself many moons ago :)

When you come out of the cafe its straight into the tunnel house with all its young seedlings and bushes that are waiting to be planted out.

It's always nice to take stroll through and browse the plants. Sometimes we even buy something, which I suppose is the reason for this being the way to the exit. Clever marketing.

To the right of the tunnel house is a large open area with all the more mature trees, bushes and roses. It's lovely in the summer just to stroll through, though we didn't today as I was feeling the cold. There's also this old rusty tractor.

Indoor plants and accessories are in a big open barn like space at the end of the tunnel house and no choice here either but to go through it if you want to leave :)

Turn 180 degrees and you are in the gift shop. There are some lovely items and we have been known to buy the girls Xmas presents from here. The exit is halfway down the gift shop :)

As well as plants, gift shop and cafe Wal's also has mini golf, a driving range, a maze and an ice cream stall and is a popular place with families. I haven't found the maze yet, let alone found my way around it :) I wouldn't mind having a go one day though but I don't really think it's Bob's cup of tea. Maybe when sis comes over in a few weeks we'll go and do it. 

That's it for today. 

Take care until next time, 

Diana

A hot summer day.

Yesterday was a beautiful summer's day and so we decided we'd go over to the Party in the Park. We took the car even though it was within easy walking distance. It was soooo hot. 🔥 

There were lots of families there, that's who it's aimed at, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves :)

We just strolled around enjoying the atmosphere but not the heat, it was 29°C and just a tad too hot for me. I was pleased I'd put on a hat and sunscreen.

The small amount of shade provided by trees, shade sails and umbrellas was already taken by others who'd arrived earlier and were settling in to enjoy the music. Next time I must remember to take an umbrella, I saw one or two with them and remembered we always took one when we wandered around in Japan in the sun.

 There were the usual food trucks and craft stalls and bouncy castles for the kids to play on. And the miniature train was running giving rides to any who wanted one.

But as much as we enjoyed being out and about we were both pleased to get home and have a nice bowl of ice cream and peaches while sitting in our air conditioned lounge :)

Take care, keep well until next time,

Diana

 

A party in the park.

Last Sunday afternoon my GKB and I went over to The Party in the Park. It was being held at a new venue this year, which is about half a kilometre  from home. Very handy :)

This is an annual event aimed at families and always well attended, but of course was interrupted by covid for a year or two but finally able to be held again.

 It was a hot, hot day, over 30C and we only stayed about half an hour. Most people were trying to stay out of the sun by keeping to the stalls, under the trees or under the shade sails that were scattered round about. It would have been nice to have had a water sprayer or two for people to  walk through :) But these are not normal temperatures for our part of the world and so no-one would have anticipated how hot it would be.

No one was taking advantage of the chairs in front of the sound stage but plenty of people under the trees to the side. 

There were all the usual types of craft stalls and food and drink trucks as well as service clubs advertising.

 There were bouncy castles and other fun activities for the kids including rides on the miniature railway. I was pleased I didn't have any little kids to contend with, I didn't envy those parents who had wee ones out in that heat all afternoon.

Because of the heat we didn't stay long, I think I'll take an umbrella as a sun shade another time, my hat was hot and uncomfortable and I was pleased to take it off when we got home. There is a cafe at the venue but it was full or we would have gone in for a cool drink. But still, I'm not complaining, it was an afternoon out doing something different.

That's all for today. 

Look after yourselves until next time.

Diana

It's still busy :)

The day after we went to the futsal at the beginning of the week...

...we met my niece and her husband for

 coffee at Wal's Plant and Fun Land.

They were in town for two nights, visiting from Australia.

And we  all (apart from Sis) met Ahyla for the first time. 

Little Mother's second youngest great-grandchild. 

She's 18 months or thereabouts, a wee cutie.

Afterwards some of us played mini golf 

and some of us kept Little Mother company 

guarding the bags, phones, cardies etc.

It had started out cool and cloudy but by

 the time we finished early afternoon it was really hot

 and so everyone came round to my place for refreshments.

I live just around the corner - handy. A very pleasant day.

A couple of days later and we are awaiting Sis

 and Little Mother's arrival for lunch.

My GKB has made a batch of scones 

so we'll have them with a good hot cup of tea or coffee.

And that's a bag of windfall pears next to them waiting 

for me to peel and stew along with a bag of apples.

************

Some of you have asked about Futsal. Futsal is a modified version of football (soccer). The kids play it indoors, five a side and 12 minutes each way. It's a good way for them to keep up their footy skills in the off season.

sharing today with Amy at:

Five on Friday

and also with Stephanie over at:

roses of inspiration

That's it for today.
Have a good week,
Diana