Home Of The Black Swans

The long weekend was such a luxury - we spent long, languid days lingering in each other's presence at home, or out at uncrowded places to immerse in the pure indulgence of doing absolutely nothing.

We met PF and family for a relaxing Saturday evening at the Botanic Gardens, at our favourite haunt in the same old comfortable spot - on a little grassy slope, facing the soothing, placid waters of the lake, fraternizing with the 2 resident black swans and in the company of emerald hardwood giants.

We loved to just lie on our mats, engaging in relaxed, laid-back chatter and watching our kids creating amusing games of their own - no doubt disturbing the quiet, serene peace and disrupting the romancing couples around us!

Top left: The kids looking on as PF and A dished out their frisbee with a makeshift long branch from the bottom of the lake! Top right: The kids playing all sorts of innovative games that they improvised on the spot.

Lying on our backs provided us with new perspectives - of teal skies smudged with fluffy periwinkle clouds. These are moments when we feel life is truly beautiful and enrapturing - where time slows down, and we are eons away from the dire stress of work and everyday life in this material world.

We packed up as the day drew to a lavender close, sauntering to our cars, before adjourning to our place for dinner and more chatter.

The kids were wild with excitement, perspiration pouring out of their heads as they dashed about. Big Bee is fast friends with Eugene and Claire, having played with them since they were babies. However, Little Bee was rather intimidated by the rough play of these big kids, and I could see much hesitation from her who would prefer to stick by me. In time to come, she would soon join them, I am sure, abandoning the safe shelter of Mummy's arms for fun and adventure, just like Big Bee now.