How else do you spend a scorching hot Sunday but in the park having a picnic with family and friends. With my other auntie and uncle over from the UK, we made the most of our weekend and inevitably were nursing a hangover from a boozy Thai banquet dinner at Muum Maam in Surry Hills the night before. A relaxed afternoon lounging in the park with ice cold soda and a mezze of delightful food was the perfect cure for a delicate head!
We chose to settle ourselves amongst the greenery of Centennial Parklands nestled in the shade away from the 33 degree heat – always be weary of that powerful Aussie sun! Once all of our friends arrived it was time to lay out the spread of delicious food we had prepared. The original plan was to BBQ, however following a trip to the grocery store we opted for a ready cooked rotisserie chicken which we could serve straight up alongside the mezze of goodies. Everyone was so generous and contributed to the feast which included deli meats, cheeses, pickles, chutneys, dips, crackers, fresh bread, salads and fruits to finish.
It was a classic English style picnic with the perfect components to make all kinds of sandwiches which we had spent the morning discussing and debating our favourite combos. I personally couldn’t get enough of the piccalilli with chicken as well as tabouli salad with tzatziki on the side. There were plenty of veggies for hummus dipping and perfectly ripe cherries to munch away on, the only thing missing was a Pimms jug!
With the day to relax and a gentle breeze easing the sweltering temperature, it was the idyllic afternoon to chat away and graze on our spread of nibbles. Once our bellies were full and satisfied, we got moving with a game of cricket followed by giant twister which never fails to be a good laugh. Later in the afternoon we packed up base, taking all rubbish with us of course, and got back to jump in the pool asap!
Now summer is here and Christmas holidays are fast approaching, I can’t wait for more days soaking up the picturesque corners of Sydney. Parks often get overlooked with the beaches being the popular choice on weekends, so I’ll certainly be taking more trips to this luscious green escape away from the city for a quiet Sunday stroll or picnicking with friends, Pimms in hand of course.
Dani Aneka 