Lately, Melbourne has had a heatwave, a series of 40 degree days (104F). The nights have given us perfect weather to go star gazing… warm, calm and clear skies. I had it all set up… the picnic rug, water, star maps (constellation guide), tiny torches to read the constellations, and even icy-poles… all was complete except for the location.

We had to drive out of the city… which was a good 90 minute drive and that was no issue. My proposed location was good in theory, a water reserve out of town… no lights to dull the sky view, but who would have thought that the entry gates would be locked! We drove around for a while trying to find another location but nothing really worked for us. And so, we arrived home by 12.30am tired and date-night-less.

Sometimes you don’t get date night right… and sure when expectations are missed you’re disappointed, but its cool. There will be more warm nights this summer, and this time I’ll be ready with a location that wont disappoint! I took Em’s to Yan Yean Reserve last night – then drove around King Lake looking for another location but didn’t find one… Currently, in Melbourne Australia… I’m thinking the beach would be good, Torquay or Mornington Peninsula, or even Dandenong Ranges or Sunbury?

Where would be your perfect star gazing date idea? Name your city / state / and country.

Related posts:

1. Dancing in the Rain… Not So Romantic, Actually.
2. $30 Date Night in Bushfire Country
3. Date Night on Deck 88…

Last Wednesday, Melbourne had put on a particularly hot, dry summer day. 33 degrees (91.4f) of sweltering sun. It was the perfect weather for a Fish and Chip picnic. I jumped on the internet to search for user reviews of the best Fish & Chips to be found in Melbourne. Luckily, there was a great one just a 15 minute walk from our apartment (Kiwi Fish & Chips East Melbourne… yum!) that has gorgeous gardens nearby for the picnic. We picked up our takeaway and a couple bottles of beer and headed to a little gazebo in the park to relax nearby and kick off our shoes. Just as the last chip was being devoured, the weather turned nasty, cold and windy.

We watched the rain come in across over the city and for a few moments thought it had missed us. Unfortunately, seconds later we were drenched. Bucketing down. And we were ages away from home. At first, I thought “great – two dates in one!”… someone has recently posted the idea of dancing in the rain on the $30 Date Night site… it sounds romantic in theory, and all I could think of was that kiss from the Notebook (I’m full of silly idealistic notions like that) so rather than complaining about my hair or being cold, I giggled like a schoolgirl and grabbed Den’s hand. Unfortunately, being the practical man that he is, he was having none of it and whinged like a banshee the entire way back across the park. Kind of killed any romantic vibe that might have been going on. He was cold and wet and didn’t think twice about complaining about HIS hair.

So instead of embracing the moment we dashed for cover and hailed a taxi, got home and jumped into the spa downstairs to warm up. Which was rather nice in itself anyway… and definitely a hell of a lot warmer…

So it got me thinking I can’t be the only one suffering at the hands of practicality, can I? Any other romantics out there with a way-too-practical-partner? The kind of partner that don’t like to buy flowers because “they just die after two days” or the kind that doesn’t like to spend a morning lying in bed for hours because “there’s a whole day out there – we should GO OUT AND GRAB IT WITH BOTH HANDS!” (woo… just try and stop me.) The last time I had the house set up with candles and romantic music, waiting for Den’s arrival, he walked in the door and asked “why is it so dark in here?”, flipped on all the lights and switched on the telly…

Related posts:

1. 9 Fabulous Date Ideas Beginning with F
2. 10 Fun Date Ideas for a Lazy Sunday
3. 7 of the Most Romantic Date Ideas Ever