Saturday, 11 November 2023
It’s not often that we all get a free day together, but this past Saturday ended up being one of those rare occasions. With no sports games, work obligations, or errands demanding our attention, my wife Sarah and I decided it was the perfect opportunity for a simple family outing. We wanted to stay local, so we kept things close to home here in Darra, on the southwestern edge of Brisbane.
The kids — Emily (12), Jack (9), and Sophie (6) — weren’t exactly jumping out of bed in the morning, but once they caught wind of our plans, they warmed up quickly. We packed a few snacks, filled the water bottles, and loaded into the car.
Our destination was Rocks Riverside Park, which isn’t far at all. It’s a solid option for families around here: open space, shaded picnic areas, and enough for the kids to do without anyone getting bored. The kids went straight for the water play area. Even though the weather’s starting to shift toward the cooler side of autumn, the sunshine still made it just warm enough to splash around for a bit.
Sarah and I found a bench with a bit of shade and just took it in. There’s something satisfying about watching your kids run around with the sort of energy only children seem to have. Emily has started bringing a book with her most places lately — she read for a while on a blanket before Sophie roped her into playing tag. Jack, of course, gravitated toward anything climbable.
After lunch (sandwiches, fruit, nothing fancy), we took a short walk along the river path. It’s peaceful down there — gum trees along the banks, the occasional cyclist or jogger, and a few families like ours doing the same thing. It’s a good reminder that you don’t need to go far from home to get a break from routine.
By mid-afternoon, the kids were tired out enough that the ride home was quiet. I’m not saying it was some unforgettable adventure, but it was a good day. No one argued. No one asked to look at a screen. Everyone just… got along.
Sometimes that’s enough.