Bush Playground
The children are running across the riverbed, kicking and flicking sand in their wake. Their squeals and screams echo down the corridor of the dry creek embankments.
The sound of children playing in the Australian Bush overrides the chorus of birds and reptiles all flying, slithering or crawling away from their delightful innocent sounds.
Watermelon Time
‘Time to cut up the watermelon,’ one child yells out – not sure which one of the 12 kids. It’s just like Pavlov’s dog, with the mere mention of ‘watermelon’ and they all come running.
Wearing his battered Akubra, my brother is on watermelon duty. The rich red flesh is a contrast against the parched earthy tones which surround us. Juice is dribbling down their arms, children are gabbling and laughing after throwing frizbees and running up and down the sandy bed playing tiggy.
Aussie Bush as Backdrop
They don’t notice the majestic paperbarks, ironbark, poplar gums and other eucalypts
as a backdrop; or the sculptured river bank, or parts of the floor bed like cracked tiles forming their playground’s enclosure. How lucky to have this open space to run, play and hide, right at their backyard, in the Aussie bush.
City Cousins & Country Cousins
The city cousins recently visited their country cousins. No technology was allowed out here in the bush. Games were simple, using a dry creek bed and later back at the house, they tucked into a barbecue dinner and marshmallows around a campfire. They had the best time ever in nature’s backyard. Many wonderful memories were made and many cousinly friendships continue, until they reunite for their next adventure.
Big Sister Blogs - Maria Parenti 
What an amazing experience! Love it when cousins can come together and appreciate each others’ lifestyles.
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Yes it is to have this bush opportunity from city to country.
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It looks like you had a wonderful time! I love your photos. Thanks for linking up for Wordless Wednesday.
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Yes we did. Kids have so much energy. I just love that they could experience this simple play activity. The gorgeous thing is the girls saw themselves on the internet and they want to share some more of their adventures, even my brother is keen.Thank you for having me.
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Lovely post Maria. I was (and still am) a city kid and we’d visit country cousins all the time when we were young. We loved it. I have fantastic memories of those times. In my generation we had quite an extended family but now we don’t. No more cousins in the country. Maybe 3rd or 4th cousins. I’d love to kids to have more exposure to other parts of our great country on a more regular basis. Thanks for linking up to Thriving on Thursdays.
Anne xx
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You are welcome. Isn’t it lovely that kids have those memories to enjoy. Just the simple things in life that they seem to remember out in the country. Maria xox
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I love that no modern technology is allowed, I am sure the kids will cherish these memories.
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They didn’t miss the technology once they realised they were having better fun running, playing, planning what to do next and talking to each other.
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