The Sprinkler
Different seasons can make me nostalgic for very different reasons. In summer, I think fondly of my childhood in a hot spot in rural Victoria. Summer holidays were spent almost exclusively outdoors finding ways to keep cool – at the local pool, by the river, in a waddling pool, but quite commonly running around underneath a sprinkler.
Now I am not lamenting the enforcement of water restrictions in Victoria, which prevent sprinklers from mains water being used. They were badly needed and we adhere to them strictly, but it did occur to me recently that my children will never have this experience.
My dad had a range of sprinklers, so depending on which one was in use, we would play different games. The arched sprinkler above gave you the challenge to try and run underneath it without getting wet. (Image by Madaise)
This rotating sprinkler provided great amusement for something to leap over as it made its way around. (Image by Toby Esterhase)
When I tell my children about the hours of fun that I had with my siblings as a child playing underneath sprinklers, it makes me feel quite old! Reminiscing of a by gone era that will most likely never be part of their Australian life.
I watered last night (it was our watering night) and JJ jumped on the trampoline. Occasionally the spray found its way over to him, so it was sort of like a sprinkler. I wonder if those sprinkler days will ever come back.
What a wonderful Post. Yep I too loved the sprinkler days. When I was a kid we would often run through sprinklers on our way home from school. (on those 40 degree days growing up in Perth) The large ones that make that distinct clicking sound that you would see watering public parks.
Haven’t seen or heard one for years.
Great to sit and remember that fun.
I grew up in the northeast of the USA, and we used to have lots of fun running through sprinklers! It’s too bad that today and tomorrow’s children won’t know the simple joy of sprinklers.
Whats this sprinkler thing? We haven’t been allowed to use them for about the last 3 years.
But yes, running through the sprinkler was great when we were kids – till we got a pool.
I too grew up in Perth and fondly remember playing in and under the sprinklers. Of course it’s all different now (as is everything LOL), and even our kids in Victoria in the current heatwave will not be able to experience such a simple and joyous experience.
I’m actually very jealous right now, while you are running through the sprinkler I’m digging out of another 20cm snow storm.
When it is summertime here though I still like running through the sprinkler and my kids enjoy it as well.
Steve,
(Canada)
Man I cant wait until summer when I can go outside and run in the sprinkle. Motivational picture indeed.
It’s the smell I remember, the wonderful smell of hot wet concrete and soggy undies. It’s almost as good as petrichor, the smell of the earth after rain.
Great post. I used to love playing under the sprinkler and using the old Slip N Slide. What fun – aah – the memories!
Remember the rotating ones? We’d hang them upside down in the frangipani tree (North Qld) and run around like loonies underneath.
I’d almost forgotten the tikkatikkatikka sound of the sprinkler we had when I was growing up!
Thanks for the reminder…
We have huge wading pool which has been stored away for 2 years now along with the sprinklers. Even though my kids are now older we would still be using them on days like today if we could – it is the best way to keep cool. Having a bit of a slope to our garden meant we could use it as a water slide too. Good fun even for us big kids!