A few days ago I took my nephew into the city late in the evening for pancakes and a wander around. We had no destination in mind except for the Pancake Kitchen preferring to play it by ear and explore to see what we could see.
I took him to the original Pancake Kitchen in Gilbert Street right in the centre of the city. It remains virtually unchanged since I was taken there from around the same age as my nephew so looks rather dated but it's all about the pancakes not the décor.
He wanted the Mad Hatter pancake which is a buttermilk pancake served with M&M's streaky bacon and ice cream, (I know, it's weird), but he loved it; yes, he ended up up with a lot of it spread all over his face but that's ok, he's a kid. I had the Bavarian Apple which is two pancakes topped with stewed apples, sultanas, cinnamon and spices; it goes without saying that copious amounts of maple syrup were slathered on both of course.
After we finished up, we walked down to the river to have a look around.
I'd bought my nephew a torch for Christmas because I knew he would love it and as we wandered about he used it as a laser gun and killed me about thirty or forty times. In between killing me he was a race car, police car and a general menace to society and anyone wanting to have a peaceful night-walk.
It was a warm night so fortunately we found some mist-sprayers in the area around the Festival Theatre at the entrance to the casino and we spent some time cooling off by playing in them along with the other kids. Yes, I played too, my nephew was insistent. They changed colours periodically and he thought that was pretty cool. After getting soaked, we moved on.
The area around the Festival Theatre has recently been redeveloped after many years of looking the same. I remember coming here as a little kid and it resembled a flat concrete area with a few ugly 1970's style concrete structures we used to climb on...It's now a pretty swish area with water features, loads of lights and a lot of artistic pieces to enjoy. It's a big hit with families, free entertainment often is I guess.
From here, we moved towards the river but took a slight detour into the Adelaide train station which is in a lovely old building built back in 1926. It's also recently been redeveloped and improved and it looks really nice inside...not that my nephew payed much attention...he was too busy being a train and running around all over the place. The image below was taken in the only moment he was stationary.
We walked on and headed over the walk-bridge over the river that links the city centre with the Adelaide Oval complex where the football, tennis and cricket is held and despite the fact my nephew killed me several times with his torch gun whilst crossing the river we made it to the other side...where the police were waiting for him!
Ok, they weren't waiting for him specifically, but they were there, four cops and a couple vehicles. My nephew thought this was super cool...but was too embarrassed to go up to them by himself so I took him over and we had a chat with the cops.
The little guy loves police vehicles and the cops themselves...he likes ambulances and fire trucks too...something to do with the flashing lights.
Seeing these cars up close was a big highlight for him and his excitement rose when they started comparing equipment. A police woman pulled out her torch, handcuffs and radio to show him and my nephew was in his element. Things turned up a notch when one of the cops put his hat on my nephew and then...the lights came on and my nephew's face split into the biggest grin. It ended up with him sitting inside one of the cars and turning on the sirens which sent him bonkers.
Before long I had to drag him away. He thanked the cops politely and they all waved...the female cop went in for a hug...of my nephew, not me...although I wouldn't have minded, she was pretty cute.
From here, we headed back to my car; my nephew lit the way with his torch as we wandered along the river and told me all about the police lights and sirens.
We had a really great night and it was good for Mr. Bonkers to use up a bit of energy. It had bee a really hot day and we'd spent most of it inside, hence the night-walk; within ten minutes he was asleep in my car, worn out for all the running and jumping he'd done, but the next day was still talking about it so I'd say it was a big hit.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default; tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind - galenkp
Any images in this post are my own
Now I'm reading something different from your usual blogs,.. Seems like you're enjoying your holiday with your little nephew.
He is a good lad and I enjoy being with him. We had a good time that night.
How beautiful is that Adelaide Oval complex, this Christmas vacation will be unforgettable in the memory of your nephew Galen with the experience of the police cars, and the lights in that chance encounter, everything was left to close with a flourish that night walk.
Even I would be happy (my inner child) and maybe run a little bit in that beautiful place in your city. Thanks for sharing.
I always say that children must be made happy to become optimistic and prosperous adults. Standing applause for the great and loving uncle.
It's a beautiful city for sure, surrounded by parklands and nicely lit at night...The river gives it a nice feel too. A good place to live.
Beautiful city with excellent universities. I would like to get to know it. Thank you, Galen, for this window to where you live.
I've heard the universities (three of them) are quite good.
What a wonderful evening you had with your nephew. Beautiful memories created on such a lovely place. I believe he will remember that when he grows up just as you were reminded of your visits when you were his age.
Happy New Year by the way😉
It was a nice night and we had fun.
Happy new year, have a good one.
This is such a great story! Love it. The little guy must be just full of life every day!
When I was little my 'big thing' was trains. I remember wanting to be an engineer to drive trains around. And, y'know, honestly, it still sounds like a fun thing to do, at least for long haul rides. I'm not sure I'd care to run a commuter train. Blah.
I liked trains when I was a kid but my thing was to be a fireman. My life went in other directions though, as often happens.
Yeah, that kid man, such a little champ. He's so amned smart. I love him so much.
You really had a nice evening!
What to say, first of all I fully espouse Van Gogh's phrase that you put in the opening; I'm a nocturnal animal, I love doing everything at night, working, walking and many other things eh eh! I would spend the day sleeping or at least, definitely in the morning...if I could I would start activating in the afternoon lol!
The photos are beautiful and the place where you live is beautiful, I really like it; You and Mr. Bonkers had a lovely evening and a great walk and the setting mattered too, because you did all this in a great place.
I think the encounter with the police was the icing on the cake😉
Adelaide is a beautiful city, a nice mix of old and new, great culture, surrounded by parklands and not too many people...it's my home and I love it.
Mr. Bonkers and I had a great time that night and I look forward to more. There's something nice about him holding my hand as we walk and talk, the questions he asks me and the funny things he says. He really is such a great kid.
It was really such mesmerizing to the eyes. I would love to wander there the whole night. You had such a blast weekend with your nephew. I hope I can be as well. Anyways, a happy new year to us!
I'm lucky to live in such a great city for sure and I never take it for granted.
Happy new year to you.
This is so cute, I can just imagine how much of an impact this interaction had on him. Of course he enjoyed the sirens and flashy lights, I'm middle age and even I would have enjoyed it so can see him being in his element.
It sounds like you have both had such a blast on your holiday together bonding. It's memories like that that will last forever with him and I totally get why you're the cool uncle 😁
We did a lot of things and I think he'll remember some, certainly in the short term; I even let him drive my cars, including the LandCruiser, whilst sitting on my lap. He told me he wants one now. I said I'll buy him one when he's bigger. I better start saving up.
What a freaking rad drive that must have been for him. I do the same with my niece sometimes and she giggles with glee so I get it. Not surprised that he wants one and I read it in your post about him asking for your truck. Maybe you should start a Hive account for him and then as he grows and it grows from curation, it can be the start of his LandCruiser savings account.
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That place looks very beautiful. I wish I were there. I would love to visit that kind of place again and again.
Hope you enjoyed walking there very well.
I became afraid thinking that the police will catch me whenever I saw a police vehicle in my childhood.
Yep, it's one of those cities that looks great in day time and and night and I love living here.
Really? I wonder if that's because of the influences you had or the actions of the police themselves?
It's because in my childhood I thought that police come to catch people only. I think that kind of thought came to my mind because I watched such kind of scenes in movies and dramas.
He had fun, in his mind he would have been happy to have visited this places with his uncle.
And kids are so full of energy any time and anyway.😁
He had fun for sure, and so did I!
that's great, and very nice of you
These are beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing 🤗.
Your nephew enjoyed so much, he has thousands of stories to tell his friends.
You're welcome, it's a nice city and looks quite attractive at night.