6th June - The Royayton Markets


Ah - glad I brought spare sets of reading glasses! - set number 3 deployed this morning. 

Slow - slow - slow - 9:30 and just stirring! 

When we surface Bo is just packing - he is heading 3 hours away to Delaware for a lacrosse tournament - he will have two days with Amy all to himself! 

We meet Parker's girlfriend - lovely - we wander down to the farmers market for breakfast.

The market? - small - friendly - well supported - valued by the locals! 


We try bubble tea - real hot dogs - salads - dumplings.

There are mushrooms stands - fish stands - stands selling plants - stands selling Thai food - bakeries stands and patisseries stands and knickknack stands. 

All the stands under the control of a sales person - "hi - try this - it is our specialty! " - "you know we have a store in town don't you?" - American sales culture on show everywhere!

 We look around the little park - out is shaded by Maple and Chestnut trees - it looks out over the marina and hosts a small shakespearean stage set in a depression that enables the sloping lawns of the park to accommodate it's audience - the local highschool art students will entertain the community here over the summer months.

We pick up a spiky ball from a chestnut tree - the spikes soon make us wary when repeating the action!


We look around - we spot Westy and his mates - they have wandered down to the market - they line up for bubble teas - they line up for pastries - they are cool - relaxed - unhurried - they don't see us! - it warms our heart - kids just wandering - having fun - enjoying each other's company!



We wander over beside the little church that overlooks the park - Simon will collect us there.

Simon cooks dinner for the five of us - Peter and Jane - Bernie and I - Simon of course! - Bo is with Amy in Delaware - Parker is at a mate's birthday - Westy is at a community event with his mates.

The meal? - superb! - the conversation? - more than enjoyable - mostly reminiscing about trips to Australia - about the kids!

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