Saturday

It was fun but next time we decide to go to the Carnival of Flowers Floral Parade, I think we'll do it over a couple of day. The drive up and back from Latimers in the one day was manageable but I was pretty much knackered by the time we arrived home and I ended up gratefully climbing into bed at 8:30. On a Saturday night!

But it was a good day and we did manage to get away as planned* (well within half an hour) so we could pick up my mother and still have time to visit my niece and nephew before we had to make our way down into the heart of the Toowoomba CBD to secure a position form the parade. And I don't think we did too badly. We found a nice shady spot which was under a tree which effected enough shade to keep us out of the sun until well after the parade had passed by. We were across the road from a cafe, the place where we bought some chairs - who were also barbecuing, and not far from an "acceptable" public convenience.

There were loads of children out and about for the parade - and to keep them entertained there were jumbo chalks they could - and did - use to draw on the road which had been blocked off in preparation for the parade. It was funny to see the influence television has had on them - with wee small things doing chalk outlines of their mates on the pavement. Some of them looked way too young to be allowed to watch crime shows - but who knows what parents allow these days ... or maybe it's something they teach them in school - which would also be somewhat of a worry!

The parade itself was amazing - much different from the last one we came to nearly 20 years ago. At that one there were no Anglo-Saxon faces to be seen - in this one, one of the biggest "floats" was for a type of Chinese exercise and had lion dancers, bands, and walkers - truly wonderful. It was good to see a lot of local (and some far-fling) businesses taking part - and to see that the Parade marshals were Smurfs. I think they must have had a late substitution because the WIN television person who was "announcing" the parade (another plus for our location otherwise we may not have known who some of the floats were) said there was Papa Smurf and Clumsy Smurf - and while I'd agree it could have been Clumsy (why do Smurfs look so similar?) I would have to insist (and bet on it if it were required) that one of the two Smurfs on the float was ... Smurfette!!

M had just finished giving Em some crunchies (and cleaning out her tray - thank you M!) when we arrived home And before she went out for the evening we were able to sit down for a cuppa and a debrief. She had spent the day with Mouse - which included taking Pearl out to Coffee Sisters and for a walk - and we all know how much Pearl loves an outing.

*The only down side was that S had a bad night - waking on the hour every hour worried that she might sleep through the alarm - she didn't!