Picnic in the Park

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After being locked away for so long, I have fallen into semi-hermit ways. It has made me appreciate simple things such as enjoying the lovely spring weather and sitting in a park with friends.

The exciting news is, one second past Sunday midnight, picnics (with some caveats) are back on. Monday 13 September 2021 marks the relaxation of some of the rules we have been living with for the past few months - hurrah!



It is a Mini Freedom Day for all of us to a greater or lesser extent. For those households living in the local government areas (LGA) of greater concern (Bayside, Burwood, Strathfield, Georges River, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Liverpool and some suburbs of Penrith), people from the same household can gather outside for exercise or outdoor recreation (including picnics) for a maximum of two hours between the hours of 5:00am and 9:00pm. The caveat is if all the adults in the gathering have been fully vaccinated. The recreation must take place within 5 kilometres from a person's home, too.

For those living outside the LGAs of concerns, the rules are relaxed even more. Small groups of up to five people (plus children under 12) from different households may gather for exercise or outdoor recreated on (including picnics) and there is no time limit. As above, all adults are required to be double-jabbed and must stay within their LGA or 5km from home. For example, one of our friends lives in Waverley LGA, but we are all meeting in Centennial Park which is outside her LGA, but within 5km of her home. All other lockdown settings, including mask mandates, will remain unchanged and in effect. The full set of rules can be found here .



World Mental Health day is 10 October every year. Why not organise a picnic gathering with friends or someone you know who is single and would appreciate spending time with you eating cake. I plan on making an orange and poppyseed cake to take to the picnic. The recipe can be found below and is a modification of the original which was given to me by my lovely neighbour, Donna S.



If your cooking skills are worthy of featuring on Kitchen Nightmares, there is the cheat sheet option of buying pre-made picnic goodies from one of Sydney's small businesses. You will also be helping the economy.



Feather and Bone are doing organic chicken liver pate, bread from Brickfields and sausages . If you don't live within 5km of their shop in Marrickville, they deliver to most suburbs Sydney for $10-$15, although there is an $80 minimum order fee.



If you fancy a larger spread, Sydney Picnic Company do picnic baskets including free range roast chicken with Kipfler potatoes, Heirloom tomato salad and miso caramel brownies. The minimum picnic basket is $160 and will feed two people. One can also add on a cheese platter for an extra $50. They are planning on reopening on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

No matter which option you go for, the main thing is to get out and celebrate freedom!

#food_wine
#fun_things_to_do
#greater_sydney
#outdoor
#parks
#picnic_spots
%wnsydney