Last Tuesday I took Tom to the Royal Easter Show. It was my first time at the new venue, having been many times as a kid when it was held at the old showground near Moore Park. To give me some relief from being the centre of attention we went with my friend Meagan and her son Reilly. Her daughter Erin also joined us.

Homebush is a pretty characterless place, laid out efficiently and spaciously in the way that modern sporting parks are. There are wide boulevards without the surprises that accompanied one as they strolled around the maze-like environs of the old place, where getting lost was easy, though exploration, delightful.

But we had a good day with sample bags, amusement rides and many animal pavilions to boot, and trudged tired back to the station for the long ride home.

Tom and Reilly, waiting for milkshakes, and on the ferris wheel.