Woeful Markets, The Wiggles and Wobbly Tummies

Photos are funny things. As an anthropologist I'll tell you that holiday snaps are culturally constructed to capture happiness and 'good times'... most 'personal shots' are... don't we look like we're having a fantastic time.

Yes we are - but with highlights, there are sometimes things that don't quite meet expectations, and you have to peer through the disappointment to find the fun stuff.

Paddington
Yesterday Miss K, her 16 year old cousin Miss Geordie and I headed off on a bus adventure to Paddington Market. I love markets. I love the hustle, the smells, the quirky items and the bargains. I love originality and the thrill of finding 'something a little bit different'.

Paddington Market was disappointing. Lots of women's clothing and jewellery, a few artists and very high prices.  But on the upside, I spent some time getting to know my niece, hanging with Miss K and seeing the landscape from a bus. Miss K chatted merrily about things that were different to home, particularly the speed of the bus, the heat, the buildings and being a big city. We found a copy of Anne of Green Gables in an op-shop, a fart-making gadget (which Miss K thought hysterical - of all things to find in up-market Paddington) and wandered through the Victoria Building before another long bus ride back home. We discovered that there are no toilets in the public library in Paddington and talked about homeless people and beggars.

Power to the boys
The MOTH took the boys on an excursion to the Powerhouse Museum which was a huge hit. I've head about the space exhibition, a real steam engine that you could stand in, a train that made ginger beer and the Wiggles exhibit from Mr A.

A: There was a Wiggles exhibition in the museum, Mummy
Me: What was in the exhibition?
Cousin Gatsby (14): The Wiggles. (duh Miko - not verbalised of course)
Me to Akria: Were there Wiggles?
A: No.
Me: What was there?
A: Wiggles.(duh Mum).

The MOTH absolutely rated the Powerhouse and was super proud of the two wee men who visited it with him. Admission is reasonable and parking also validated. Mr A said that playing spacies was the best thing!

After such a big outing yesterday, Mr A is very tired and in need of some Mum-time. We had planned a trip to Manly today, to visit friends and see the sights, but the dreaded travel-belly has paid me a visit, so Mr A and I are just hanging at home on our own, while the others headed off. Sometimes the body enforces rest especially since we begin a campervan adventure tomorrow morning. Heading to Melbourne via the Coastal Highway!

If you've ever done that stretch and have suggestions where to stop/camp please leave a comment! I'd also love to know what you'd like to hear about on our travels :-)