Our day at the 'Ekka'; Part 2

In Part 1 of this post I commented that I had not gone to the show for many years, so why the change of heart? One reason was that I've come to really hate large crowds. That problem can be overcome by going on either of the first 2 days...which we did.

Another reason for going this year was that the Association that runs the show, has spent a lot of time and money upgrading faciltities which had been pretty ordinary for many years. So I thought it was worth a look to check out things. Another reason why we hadn't been for years was the amount of walking involved; for a few years now, one hip gives me a bit of pain if I walk or be on my feet for any length of time. Don't know whether it is something to do with avoiding foods with sugar, but since starting that  regime, I have more energy and almost no discomfort associated with my left hip???? So I reckoned that I could handle all the walking around that a day at the show needs...and I did! So here's some more of what we saw and did...

We watched an Australian draughthorse being worked 

A Gypsy horse

Sweet little darlings in front of the gypsy horse stall

An old restored gypsy caravan

I always visit the poultry pavilion 

We watched a demonstration of cutting up a 'rump' into a number of cuts. Samples were handed out which were tender and delicious! We were also given a bag which folds up, zips up into a small rectangle

 We went into the Agricultural Pavilion to have a look at the displays...

There was a demonstration by Brookfield Nursery. I saw that Tino Carnevale (from Gardening Australia) had been there at 12noon...I'd missed him. But then I saw him...he graciously agreed to pose for a photo. He is such a lovely man; we had quite a chat. 

 After the gardening demonstration on growing vegetables in containers, some sample bags were handed out courtesy of Brookfield Nursery. There were samples of fertilisers, peat pots, water saving crystals and a punnet of 'Tommy Toe' cherry tomatoes...all absolutely free :-) And as well, all these goodies were packed in a lovely strong,reusable 'green' bag.

In the Agricultural/Horticulture Pavilion was also the dog judging.  Judging was over by the time we walked through but there were still some dogs there, like this fluffy darling :-)

This stand is manned by volunteers and raises funds for one of the hospitals.  DH is just getting ready to line up and buy one; none for me though!

A view looking towards the Agricultural Pavilion

Then it was time for lunch...

More to come....

Our day at the 'Ekka'; Part 1....

Each year the Royal National Association hosts the Exhibition here in Brisbane for 10 days in August. (It used to be 9 days but quite a few years ago, it started opening on the Sunday) When I was a child we usually referred to it as the 'Show' but over the years it's become more likely to be know as the "Ekka'. The basis of the show is that it is an Agricultural Show/Fair.
As a child, I loved the exhibition! My mother was not really well enough to take me (she had MS), and as well, she loathed crowds. We had a lovely neighbour who would take me as well as her grandchildren. Dad would give her 10 shillings which was to pay for what ever I did or ate during the day. We would take a packed lunch (mum always made egg and lettuce sandwiches for me) but we would also buy some hot chips (made with Tasmanian potatoes), a meat pie and an icecream. I was allowed to buy 2 sample bags; the Eta showbag with little jars of peanut pastes and mayonnaise etc and the Minties bag that obviously had heaps of lollies and little puzzles etc. I also went on just 2 rides, the little steam train and the merry-go-round.  Quite modest spending compared to what some people buy these days, but I loved it!!!

We'd walk around for what seemed like hours (when you are a child!) looking at the animals and displays of produce. Then we would sit on open-air seats to watch the ring events. There would be show jumping, sheepdog trials, trotting races, clowns, judging of animals etc. The children would be rummaging through their showbags as well as watching the ring events. The fireworks were on later in the evening and I always thought they were wonderful. Nowadays Fireworks' displays are 'a dime a dozen'; even a large retail shop near us puts on a fireworks' display in their carpark once a year! But not then. So the show's fireworks were special. I first went to the show on my own when I was in my final year of high school. I continued to go occasionally and of course took my daughters to the show. Then I guess I just stopped going. In 2001-2004 I taught at a 2 teacher school which was just across the road from the Exhibition grounds. That school had a tradition of taking the whole school ( 39 children) to the show so for 3 years I went with those children...but it doesn't really count as 'going to the show' does it ?
For a number of years DH has asked me if I wanted to go to the show...every year I said no...but this year when he again asked, I said yes! And so we did...
This is how our day went...

Waiting at the station; as Seniors DH and I got a return ticket for $3 each!

The next photos show some of the scenes in the Beef Cattle Pavilion...

We saw exhibitors 'vacuuming' their cattle with these!

Grooming animals ready for judging

These buildings were the horse stalls

This was actually a 'Auctioneering Competition'; Boy could those entrants 'gabble'! lol

Some of the sheep and lambs in the Animal Nursery

Ducks in the Animal Nursery having a rest

3 sweet little kids

Alpacas

Llamas

Walking through the Animal nursery

little chicks just near the tripod

More to come in Part 2...