The Getting of Wisdom
If you’ve got more time but less inclination to do stuff these days, you’re not alone. Instead of seeking out white water rapid rides, we appreciate calmer, tranquil waters that present a more leisurely and enjoyable paddle. Plus, less back ache the next day. A thermos of coffee and a muffin don’t go astray either.
And who needs black ski runs when you can just expand the après ski into all-day ski, with endless cosy fires, hot chocolate fondant fountains and spiced warm wine. The closest thing I do to riding powder these days is sifting flour.
I’m more cashed up than my eighteen-year-old self which is great in more ways than one. When backpacking in Europe, we were camping on a shoestring budget. Not a problem, except all the city campsites were far far away from the tourist attractions. At Venice station, we were whisked away in one campsite owner’s minibus to a distant patch of land nowhere near anywhere. In four days, we didn’t see so much as one gondola. Ditto Rome where our tent was pitched at the equivalent distance of Penrith to Sydney.
But you don’t need a lot of money to live your best life. Start work on your bucket list now whether you’re eighteen or eighty. Here are some cost savvy ideas to get you started.
1. Give out free hugs in Lane Cove Plaza (best post Covid). Rig up a simple body placard and see what happens. Bet you get at least one and it makes you both smile.
2. Introduce your kids to your favourite old movies. My children grew up on Doris Day and can still sing all the words to Just Flew in From the Windy City. I don’t think they realised this wasn’t normal until it was too late.
3. Say ‘Yes’ to everything for a day. You might just end up ferrying family members to the four corners of the state, but you never know. It’s not practical, but it can be a whirlwind of an experience.
4. Have an adult sleepover. Okay, we might be beyond the blow-up mattress, but there’s nothing wrong with dimmed lighting, a great Disney movie and a big bowl of popcorn. And a stack of maple syrup pancakes in the morning.
5. Crash a wedding and give a toast. Best done well into the celebrations when the bubbly’s been flowing freely and no-one realises you’re not a guest.
6. Go wing-walking. Yes, this is what it sounds like. You’re strapped securely to a vintage plane’s wings, then an experienced pilot will take off and do all sorts of fancy moves, rolls, and tricks. Like your own personal roller coaster ride, on steroids.
7. Recreate a scene from your favourite movie. You don’t need a mega budget or acting pedigree - a trip to Vinnies and Hot Dollar should do the trick. Dress up as Mary Poppins and/or Bert, draw a fairground chalk drawing on the Canopy pavers and jump in and out. Or make your own cue cards for your local barista to replicate the scene in Love Actually. To me, your latte is perfect.
8. Walk around Sydney Aquarium with a fishing net over your arm just for kicks.
9. Take an epic road trip. Once you’ve farmed out the pooch to a pet sitter, just jump in the car and leave, with no agenda to fill except your available time.
You don’t have to wait your whole life or spend a whole heap to get a bit of wisdom, peace, or hilarity. Never regret growing older. After all, what’s the alterna