It was Dave’s spur of the moment decision. We were, although we didn’t know it yet, only a week away from yet another ‘snap lockdown’ and if this topsy-turvy year has taught us anything, it’s to seize every chance for adventure.

So we booked an apartment in the city for a night.

Our determination to fit catch ups into almost every day of the holidays meant a slightly delayed start as we lost track of the time in conversation, but we piled into the car with growing anticipation. Harvey had recently told us that he couldn’t ever remember going to the city, so we realised our time for another visit was probably well-overdue.

It was dark when we pulled up outside the Wyndham. After a hurried approving check-over of our apartment, we set out on foot through the deserted city streets towards dinner.

On previous trips to the city, we found Vapiano in Flinders Lane to be a great family-friendly option – with a good selection of kids meals and delicious pasta and pizza. Unfortunately, things have gone significantly downhill since our last visit. With confusing ordering requirements (through a QR code that went to a browser that didn’t register the order) to a wait of over an hour (!) for our meals which were delivered at haphazard intervals, to the poor quality of ingredients used, the exorbitant prices (over $140.00 for four kids pizzas, two adult meals, non-alcoholic drinks and some stale cinnamon bites) and the complete lack of serving staff… needless to say, we will not be back again!

But, our adventurous spirit was undeterred as we skipped/ran back through the streets to our hotel. It was already past 9pm, but the kids were very keen to try out the rooftop swimming pool. Dave bravely suited up (I couldn’t be so persuaded!) and we emerged out to find stunning city views and a heated pool from which to enjoy them. It wasn’t a long dip, but the memory of that experience has already been fondly talked of many times.

After such a hectic evening, sleep wasn’t too much of a battle (if we ignore the heated debates about who was to have which bed) and it felt like no time at all before the frosty morning greeted us. We marvelled at the toy-like cars from our balcony and enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the Supreme Court. The location in William Street brought back many memories for me of my lawyer days, traipsing from barrister’s chambers to court rooms, settlements and hearings. It was a nostalgic experience.

We walked back to a little botanical nook we had discovered the night before and savoured delectably flaky croissants, doughy bagels and steaming cups of coffee and hot chocolate.

Then it was off to the Brickman Jurassic World Lego Exhibition. We were among the first of the morning to enter, so there were no queues and we could have spent hours longer in the interactive space. There were breathtaking examples of creativity, stations to build your own creations and plenty of chances for staged photos. The kids had to be cajoled along as they became so engaged in their projects at every point.

It wasn’t even 24 hours. In fact, it was barely 18, but those hours somehow bloomed and expanded into a visceral experience that has lodged itself in our hearts and memories. This unpredictable year has taken its toll on all of us, but being able to enjoy some family time together in an exciting location was so precious.

Now, in the midst of our sixth (just extended) lockdown, these are the times we hold onto. We cannot predict when or for how long the government will seek to control our movements, but we can throw ourselves into the opportunities that float across our paths when the rules are relaxed. We can choose to make memories that cheer and that help tide us over until the next chance we get to leave the walls of our homes.