Do you remember the days growing up where we would get the most pleasure from the simplest of things? I do, playing outside until it went dark. Or perhaps till you heard your mum yelling at you from down the street. Swing sets, trampolines, cricket in the street (until you broke a window or smashed some ones car). Nicking chalk from school and making a foursquare court in the middle of the street for handball. Climbing tees, digging holes, doing hand stands and cartwheels on the lawn not worrying about getting dirty.
I remember those things fondly, my childhood was filled with memories of that sort of stuff. Its part of the reason why I still rent the same house I do. You see we live in one of those streets (Courts if you want to get technical) where I call my neighbours friends. We pop over randomly for coffee (or wine) and chats for that matter. More importantly, our children of all ages play. On any given afternoon, after homework is done you can guarantee that if the kids aren’t at your house, they’re at some one else’s or riding their bikes in the street. You don’t have to worry about them, every one in this street looks out for every one else’s. Even better is we all have no problem sending them all home and saying no when we’ve had enough (It rarely happens) The kids don’t fight, the get along ages ranging from 2 years old to nearly 8. Cars know as soon as they turn the corner into our street to slow down. The elderly couple across the road from me who’s grandkids all live out of town, will every so often buy a bag of mixed lollies to “share” around. It’s almost an unspoken rule if your garage door is up on a friday or saturday, that’s an invite to bring over a beverage of choice and a folding chair.
I have lived in my house for over 3 years now, every year on Australia day (and Other special days) we do the same thing. We BBQ and this gets dragged out. Not some fancy multi lane thingbob. No we “kick it” Old School. I’m talking a tarp large enough for the whole of my front yard, soaker hose in the middle and home brand detergent.
The kids, young and old enjoy it every time. just watching them run around, having fun. Just playing, its all kinds of goodness. I’m glad I get to call this place home.
WHATS YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD LIKE? FRIENDLY OR NOT SO MUCH?
