Entertainment Quarter Farmer's Market

The Entertainment Quarter is a large complex not far out of town with entertainment venues like sports arenas, cinemas, function centers and Fox Studios Australia.  There is also a collection of shops, restaurants, and bars filling it out, as well as an outdoor playground and indoor playspots for kids like a rec area where you pay by the hour and a hands-on arts & crafts shop.

On a beautiful sunny Wednesday morning, we head to the EQ outdoor farmer's market where I’m told it’s essentially a crack den for little kids replete with bouncy castles, fairy floss and pony rides.  We were hoping to meet up with my literary agent friend and her clan, but unfortunately they didn’t end up making it.  No worries, as they say here.  It was a lovely day and they did have lots of fun activities for the kids (if not pony rides, unfortunately that wasn’t running).  There was a small village of bouncy castles that were a little pricey and timed by the 10 minutes, but since there was hardly anyone in it the guy never made us leave and I think the kids played for an hour, at least it felt that way.  You have to admit looking at these pictures, you’d like to try it yourself, wouldn’t you???  [I’ve realized that one of the main differences between adults and little kids is the lack of boredom on their part – many of the things they do is actually entertaining for about 5 minutes, but while you are ready to move on to the next thing, they will feel deeply as if they want to continue to do that one thing for the rest of their natural lives.]

After that Julia rode the amusement park ride while Graham and I watched, as we decided “it was a liddo scawy.”  

After that a Real Australian Pirate charmed the kids with balloon sculptures.  Who knew they were so good natured.

Then to lunch, a delightful Bavarian restaurant on the edge of the market.  We had a spot in the sun where the kids colored and Mommy chatted with her friend, New Zealand Zinfandel.  Lunch was delicious, I was quite enjoying myself.

Luckily they had a crack system to prevent overpouring. 

Then it was time for the caged petting zoo on our way out.  It was the mangiest collection of farm animals I’d ever seen, so of course the kids were completely enthralled and wanted to stay forEVer.  

Trying to chew the Choos.