Saturday and time for something different

It was different waking up in Kyogle, in a different bed, and getting ready for a big day in front of us. Ch had procured some wonderful fruit bread, which she toasted, for breakfast, and while the children and we ate, we discussed the plans for the day which included going into Lismore to have a wander, some lunch, watch "Despicable Me 2" and then go this evening's Lantern Parade.

But we weren't starting the day yet. S had not slept well so she took herself off to bed for some "catch-up" sleep and while she did that I took myself into town (still shrouded in mist) to have a coffee. There weren't that many folk around generally, but there was a constant stream of people into the cafe. It was doing a better business than the Box and Dice Cafe up the road - probably because it was more than a little chilly, and the B&D seating is in an open courtyard ... and while it may not have influenced everyone's cafe choice, it certainly played a very large part in mine.

I was back by 11, as agreed, but we were delayed in our departure because Pa was helping his Dad out with some chores ... but that was okay because a good plan always includes some leeway for unforeseen events. So, it was just after 12 before we managed to get everyone, and Lo's props for tonight's Lantern Parade, into Lars and on the road to Lismore.

Simon at Trattoria Pagotta

It's just over half an hour's drive in and, taking Mi's advice, we parked near the Cinema and then had a wander around town and as we wandered, we kept lookout for our lunch venue. Pa was the one who finally found it ... he felt like Italian more than we felt like anything else ... so we went to Trattoria Pagotta. It was, in a word, awesome. Pagotta is the smallest restaurant I have ever been in - three or four tables only. Simon and Jasmine are the owner/operators/cooks and just about everything else by the looks of it. You can watch them doing their thing in the kitchen - including making the pasta and the sauces to order. We had the lunch special - four pastas, garlic bread all round and a salad for under $50. It was just amazing - and it filled us (even Pa who is a growing teenager) without making us tired - because none of us wanted to sleep through "Despicable Me 2". Otherwise we may have missed Agnes' stirring practice for Mother's Day: "She kisses my boo-boos; She braids my hair; We love you mothers everywhere." That was fantastic too, lots of laughs, and much Minion mayhem.

Then it was time to get Lo to the Skate Park so she could meet up with her school group and get ready for the Lantern Parade. We left her there while we went off to get our position - and thanks to Simon we knew the route - we just didn't know which side of the wide Lismore streets it would go down. But other people had the same dilemma and, in the end, we followed the lead of some folk who were following the lead of the CWA ladies - because "they always know things'. That was good enough for us - and when the time came, we were in the front row, in a prime position to see the Lanterns. And they were incredible! There was a huge variety of Lanterns - some huge - Dragons, Australian Wildlife, African Wildlife, Ships, a Helicopter ... all wonderfully made and totally enthralling. Simon estimated there would be about 15,000 in Lismore for the Lanterns and judging by the folk around, he would have been about right. We loved the sense of community surrounding the event as well, and that people dug deep into their pockets to contribute when the bucket-bearers came around.

Lo's Lantern costume

Lo looked great in her mask and with her sceptre and she had a great time taking part in the Parade.

There was only one thing I didn't like about the day ... and that was the drive home, along country roads pock-marked with potholes, in the dark, and mist ... and that it was so dark, the kids couldn't see the popcorn properly and it ended up all over the car - in the front as well since both S and I had some too.

We were glad to get them home safely and hand them back to their parents. It's a big responsibility having someone else's kids - probably as big a responsibility as having your own!

M's waffles!

Meanwhile, back at Latimers, M had survived the night - and had taken herself off to the busiest shopping centre (Robina is having stocktake sales) and rewarded herself with a visit to The Shingle Inn - where, surprise!, she was finally able to have a waffle - "but we always have them" they told her. Well, perhaps that is so in some alternate universe but generally speaking - I don't think so! S and M have been there many times, independently and together, and the waffle machine has always, always, up to now, been otherwise indisposed.