Today I took my daughter to her first rugby match.
The annual local ANZAC day derby between Easts and Randwick down at Coogee Oval – the home of the best known Australian club in the rugby world.
I grew up on the sidelines of football fields all over New South Wales, but until today had never realised how dangerous the rugby pitch and surrounds truly is.
Kids honing their skills in between the grandstands
Smokers puffing away on the hill
Swinging shoulder bags; and
Snow storms.
Today, I went as a new mum, with my precious bundle of new bub – well 4 month old).
Determined to maintain some level of fitness, we walked down to Coogee and enjoyed the warmth of the winter sun.
It was only while standing on the sidelines, that we watched the black clouds start rolling in.
Making the conscious decision to get moving before the skies opened, as we started up the hill my husband and I debated whether we had enough time to make it before the rain set in.
We only managed a few 100 metres when the largest drops of rain foretold the story of saturation for all if we continued with our folly.
Needless to say, we made a beeline for our favourite trusty cafe – Tropicana to sit this one out.
Having settled us in, DH (Darling Husband) set off for home to get the car – our only real option unless we wanted to stay overnight at the cafe – in the now blackened skies (despite it being before 5pm) and torrential rain.
An hour and a half later, my husband pulled the car up in front of the cafe with ‘snow’ blanketing the roof.
This was Coogee, not Cortina!
Admittedly, this wasn’t your typical day out to the rugby, but it did highlight some keys ‘must haves’ for going out, for no matter how long.
Things change, so be prepared – we didn’t have an all weather protector for the pram with us. Rendering it useless for all intents and purposes once the weather set in.
Have a plan B and plan C – always. It’s easier in the long run.
Always have $20 for an emergency in the bottom of your pram – you’ll thank yourself for it one day
Surrender to the fact – your schedule is now fluid. It just takes the stress out of everything.
Always have spare formula/food on hand – I was lucky because I was breastfeeding, so that essentially made bub the easiest part of the scenario.
When you go to the local footy game – keep bub in the pram, with the cover up and you’ll reduce your stress by about 1000%!
Originally posted to how2social.com