Today is pristine. Wednesday the rain bucketed down. Yesterday it was bitter. The wind blew like the clappers tossing broken branches on the roof, howling dismally & snaking icy fingers under the doors but today is picture perfect.Yesterday Star went to the EKKA. EKKA is simply Queensland slang for exhibition & that's what the EKKA is, an exhibition show for displaying numerous things ~ not that most kiddies know that. EKKA is all about sideshow alley & show bags. I think Star is growing up. The EKKA has lost a lot of its attraction for her. She had her hard saved cash, which I supplemented knowing the EKKA, & high hopes ~ all dashed. I do not know how families afford this. $10~ for a single ride through the House of Horrors, or whatever fancy name they call it! $10~! $5~ for 3 bullets in sideshow alley. Star was not impressed. Imagine if you had more than one kid...
Days Star has poured over the newspaper guide comparing value for money in showbags. She even went on~line & did her research thoroughly. I did supplement for that, agreeing to go halves in a Morish bag ~ I admit it; I'm a nut freak. Besides I share. I'm good like that. Anyway Star sat down & worked out how much money she had all up, how much the bags she wanted were, what it was going to cost her in fares & entry fee [who said this child couldn't do math?!], how much she was prepared to sacrifice for food then wailed that last time the Irish Lads were over they'd made her splash all her cash in sideshow alley. Lesson Learned, I think. Anyway it was all wasted effort. ALL the showbags Star wanted were sold out! Every last one. Luckily Star is easy~going like that.
I have a confession to make. The EKKA is big in Queensland. They fuss about it up here more than Sydney does about The Royal Easter Show. I hate the EKKA. I've been ~ once. I never ever took any of our kids. They went ~ with the school, or Guides or friends but it's so crowded. And dirty. And noisy. Why would anyone with any sense want to spend a day splurging on overpriced rubbish? Not when you could spend a day looking at that view. Maybe my priorities are warped...
Since it's inception in 1876 the show has been abandoned just twice; once in 1919 when an outbreak of Spanish influenza turned the showgrounds into a hospital & again in 1942 when the grounds were used as a depot for moving troops north as part of the war effort.
Anyway I had a day pretty much completely to myself. You don't want to know how many years it's been since that happened. I waved my child down the jetty, Star whimpering that I should be coming too, not abandoning her to the Irish Lads [how that child can go on!] & went home to fix the sewing project that had somehow gone completely catawumpus with all the wrong pieces being sewn together. It was a profitable day on my part. Star arrived home after dark to cheerfully inform me that she had taken over 10 000 steps before her counter died & did I know how many calories that was! *sigh* She's such a flibberty~gibbet!
The cats, who had been prowling unhappily all day, constantly underfoot in case I too took it into my head to disappear, promptly relaxed on hearing Star's voice & curled up to sleep. I think they missed her. I know I did. It was very quiet.
13 comments:
Are you trying to make me miss home? :) Weather looks awesome for my return... See you before you know it!
Still a bit windy now ~ & very cold but it is a lovely day. Drive carefully, my love, & I will see you soon. ♥
Ah...showing your age, my dear!
I opted to babysit the grandbaby and let all the young ones do the show here. My days for rides etc are over.
I made it to the Ekka once. I was 18 and had the time of my little country bumpkin life!
Our weather was beautiful today (cold but sunny) - but all this rain we have had this week has increased our dams to 61% which is the first time in years that we have had that much water:)
I do not like Royal Shows. I went a couple of years ago to see if this was still the case - I lasted an hour and left, it was a pricy trip to find out!!! My sons don't like them either and don't go. However when I was young I loved the Royal Adelaide Show and whenever I smell hot cinnamon donuts I think of the RAS!!! as it was the only time I was allow to eat them.
Hopefully, Star had a good time. It looks so expensive! On the other hand, to have one day of peace and quiet...it can be priceless. I hope you enjoyed your time as well. I think we will be talking about it soon...maybe.
What an enjoyable read Ganeida!
hmmm the Ekka. You sound a bit like my dad when you described it lol. (the dirty, overcrowded part). Despite thinking that, my mum and dad would take my sisters and I every year. We grew up with that tradition. I ventured to the Ekka with my friends when I was in high school, without Mum and Dad. They were glad to get out of then I think lol (me being the youngest).
I remember getting about 5 or so sample bags as a child, for a cheap price ($2.00?? I can't remember), and it being FULL of goodies and samples.
I took my children to the Ekka once I moved back to Brisbane (they were 11 & 8 that year), and the bags were rubbish at a ridiculous price. They only got a couple each if I remember correctly.
Also, I remember almost every year when I was a child, that one of us would get a terrible cold or fluey thing after the Ekka. That was from the crowded pavillion and lots of coughing people, due to the westerly winds (my mum's explanation to me back then). It was true though... go to the Ekka and come home with a cough and cold.
But, in saying all that.... I have many fond memories of it from my childhood. I avoided it for most of the 7 years I lived back in Brisbane before moving up here.
My children loved all things Ekka and enjoy going to the 'slacker' show here in our little town. They head up to Cairns a week later where it is bigger so the show is bigger there also. My daughter is a ride junkie... can't get enough of them lol.
Lol Ruby: I'm not a ride junkie & I loathe crowds, always have. The EKKA holds few attractions for me.
Jo: it is very pricey ~ & mostly junk. I think I am over shows.
Seeking: Talk is good ~ if the child ever gets home. It is getting later & later here & I should be in bed but here I am, playing on the computer while I wait for the phone call...
Amanda: I recall loving the Sydney show as a kid & I still enjoy the small country shows but the big ones do my head in. I think I am officially hickified.
Ganeida, this brought back memories of the Royal Ester Show when I was small, we would always go early to avoid the crowds. My daughter doesn't like crowds so we have only been once but she did love the rides.
Your Pristine day photo is wonderful!
Is an EKKA a carnival? I'm not quite clear. This is where the shared language veers off a bit!
I know the child has a right to change her screen name, but I will never become used to Star. She will forever be Ditz to me!
Foxglove Spires: I am a Sydney girl & I did love the RES as a child.
Sandra: hello, my friend! ☺ Nice to see you out & about. Hmmm... I don't think carnival is quite right. That includes a parade through the streets here. I think I need the theasaurus...
I agree about the name. I still think of her as Ditz but she was getting so wild about that name I had to change it. Ditz did so suite her...
Yes, we want our Ditz back LOL. It is a cute name. When I first came to this blog, I thought the names you used (even yours Ganeida) were your REAL ones! I know, I'm a wee be slow sometimes :P
For those who don't know, think of the EKKA as a state fair type of show. It has a show ring, where they do livestock judging, Working Dog show... et al.
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