We only had a short time with the Boy Wonder this morning before his mother arrived to collect him, and as we knew that his two-hour car journey was going to lead straight into the sugarfest of an organised Halloween trick-or-treat event, R and I felt that we should start the day with a healthy activity, to provide some kind of balance. So, as soon as he’d finished his breakfast of toast with quince jelly (3 slices), and had helped to bring in the supermarket delivery and prepare next week’s yoghurt, we took him off for a walk around the village. He wasn’t unduly impressed by this (the wrong kind of grass, too much sheep poo, not being allowed to walk absolutely wherever he pleased, etc.), and it took some coaxing to keep him moving, but we persevered, and in the end got him round what I think is probably a three-quarter mile loop. After (slow) going through a couple of fields, we turned onto the main road running back into the village. This is a little tricky to walk because the pavement runs in incomplete sections on either side, so we had to cross the road a couple of times – with much stress on safety drill – before we finally reached the turning into our lane, where there is a small triangle of grass in the middle of the road, with a large chestnut tree and a road sign.
I said, “Now we must wait for that car to go past, and then we’ll check again, and if the road is clear in both directions we’ll go carefully across.” “To the island,” said the Boy. “Yes,” I said, “it does look like an island.” “It is an island,” he replied. “It’s Tree and Grass and Sign and Leaf and Conker and Feather Island.” I said, “Oh, I like that! Tree and Grass and Sign and Leaf and Conker and Feather Island.” “And Conker,” he said. “I said Conker.” “No you didn’t!” “Yes I did! I said Tree and Grass and Sign and Leaf and Conker and Feather Island.” “And Sign,” he said. “You missed out Sign this time.” “No I didn’t – I said Tree and Grass and Sign and Leaf and Conker and Feather Island!” “And Leaf.”
He delivered all of this with such frowning intensity that I really can’t be sure – and he’s only four, for goodness’ sake! – but I think… he was taking the mickey.
After Boy and Mother had departed for the Principality (B resplendent in vampire costume), the house seemed extremely quiet, and sadly Boyless, and once we’d tidied up and put away his toys and books it felt even worse. So we went out. It was a warm, sunny afternoon, and I was surprised as well as disappointed to find Nodonata (©) at the river in Stratford, but I’m happy enough with this juvenile Black-headed Gull, which I spotted begging for food in nice light by the Bancroft lock.
Normal service resumes.
