The day looked overcast and the air was damp. However our welcome was warm and friendly. There were a few new faces in the group to meet and get to know.

Arrival at the Botanic Gardens was a bit chilly, but the morning tea of delicious jam & cream scones and hot real coffee and a host of beautiful happy smiling faces did a lot to lighten the heart. 

It was a Carers Day Off with a difference. Carers from the eastern area and southern areas congregated at the café in the Botanic Gardens to forget their responsibilities for the day, have some fun and time out.

After morning tea some of us opted to burn off the calories and walk across the lawns to the Adelaide Zoo. The sun was now shinning and the weather that was promised for the day was perfect.

We all split into 4 groups with our fearless leaders of Carole, Chris Lainie and Jean we set off with maps and intentions of seeing everything...  (Map reading is not one of Jean’s qualities!! ) However we spent the next one and half hours admiring the big cats, gazing at the meerkats, laughing at the monkeys, craning necks to eyeball the giraffes, yearning to cuddle the bears, and cramming in as much as we could.

It was a great way to forget worries, relax, laugh with new friends and leave the responsibilities to someone else.

Our lunch was at the Hackney Hotel, We had collected a healthy appetite after the morning activities.  Everyone commented on the delicious food the excellent service and the happy relaxed atmosphere. It was a great way to end a perfect Carers Day Off.

Carole announced Jean’s retirement in January and everyone wished her well and promised they would catch up with her at the Christmas activities.

So, if you would like a little time out, if you want to experience a Carer activity, and would like to meet up with ‘like minded’ people check your next Sharing Sheet for the next event. CSRC can arrange a skilled care worker to stay with the person you care for and arrange transport for you to make it all possible.