The Cocking Of The Leg

This seems to be our new morning and evening activity - seat drops and 'cocking of the leg' on our bed. Not sure where Tom got the 'cocking of the leg' idea from, not to worry, it is very funny!

Fabulous Easter

Well, what a wonderful four days we've had. Deciding to stay at home for Easter was an excellent choice, as we've had four days of almost unbroken sunshine, temperatures in the mid-20s, and a toddler in tip-top form.

On Friday, we decided to do a walk that we've been meaning to try for several years, namely leaving the car at Telford town centre and walking all the way down to Coalport. We finally had the presence of mind to get ready the day before, parked the car near Randlay pool in the town park, and set off on our journey south. Tom walked wonderfully well, mostly thanks to us kicking his football ahead of him and getting him to chase it, which he did with great glee. It also helps that Telford to Ironbridge is downhill nearly all the way. It would have been a different story going the other way. Still, I reckon he walked about 2 miles out of a total of about 5. The path dropped us just near the Museum of China in Coalport, where we sat on the canal bank and ate our picnic in the company of several sleepy ducks. It was all very pleasant. We then got the free bus back to Madeley, which Tom seemed to enjoy immensely - he sat on the front seat, never tried to take his seat belt off and generally looked very pleased with himself. We then got another bus back to the town centre, on which he also behaved very well, and I think he was asleep before we'd even left the car park. That was fair enough though, as he'd expended a terrific amount of energy in the morning.

Today was also the first road test of my new Teva trekking sandals, which proved themselves to be amazingly comfortable, especially given that I had around 30 lbs on my back for a good portion of the walk.

Saturday involved a bit of a road trip, as Nik had to deliver a wedding cake to Sutton Coldfield for 11 o'clock, but fortunately, all she had to do was deliver it and we were then free for the rest of the day. Shugborough Hall was more or less on the way back, so we stopped there for lunch (another picnic), after which Tom again kicked his football for a considerable distance across the grounds, pausing only to get grumpy when another little boy dared to pick his football up. The sulk didn't last very long, however, and we were all restored by a sit in the meadow, where Nik and I each ate an ice cream and Tom ate some daisies and dandelions. Each to his own I suppose. Shugborough is a pretty huge estate, but they have a free mini-train service to ferry people about, so we all enjoyed a ride on that back to the car. Tom was a bit late to bed that night due to the slightly unusual timing of the day, but we were in bed by 9.30, so knackered were we (we've also been working quite hard in the garden recently). It's hard work trying to keep up with an energetic (lunatic) toddler.

We got up late on Sunday as we all needed a bit of a lie in, but after breakfast, Tom and I did some more gardening in an attempt to tie him out enough for him to go back down for a morning nap. It worked, and he was out like a light from 11.00 until 12.45, when Auntie Jude arrived. After a quick lunch at home, we headed back down to Coalbrookdale for another attempt at a walk we did a few months ago when Tom grizzled and screamed the whole way round. No such problems this time though, and we had a really lovely walk through a secluded area called Loamhole Dingle which follows a stream through some very dense woodland. Some of it was quite steep uphill, but Tom did the whole walk by himself and even managed to find the energy to hoof his football around a meadow halfway round. We were all very impressed with the stamina and good nature he showed - he's a real joy to be around when he's in that sort of mood. What's more, we got home and had slow-cooked ribs for dinner, and Nik managed to get quite a bit of pork down him, albeit hidden in rice. Still, definitely a good result.

Jude then toddled back up to Chirk, and we had another (much-needed) quiet evening at home.

Today we managed to tick off another activity that we've been meaning to do for years - the Telford Steam Railway. The actual train ride isn't very long, probably less than a mile, but it was hard not to be impressed by the enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers that run it. They have plans to extend the line all the way down to Ironbridge, and I really hope they manage it. I think that may be some way off though. Being Easter weekend, Tom was given a free bag of mini eggs and we were allowed a free hot cross bun each at the cafe. Nik and Tom also had a ride on a miniature railway - a beautiful replica of one of the the sadly now-defunct Wrexham and Shropshire Trains. We were all captivated by an enormous model railway there as well - something that both of Tom's grandfathers should probably visit when they're next up here.

We were hoping to have another lunch at the Green Wood Centre, but it was closed, so we ended up at the Fat Frog pub instead, where I had a very nice pizza and Nik had a very average panini. We just about managed to keep Tom awake in the car on the way home, and even now fast asleep in his cot, presumably dreaming of steam trains.

New words of the weekend: Bike and...train (of course!)

Pirate Tom

Apologies for the long delay since the last post. We've both been flat out with work and haven't really had the time.

Anyway, last weekend my friend Michael came to visit us from London and, given the nice weather, we picked him up from the station and headed straight to the Green Wood Centre in Coalbrookdale for an alfresco lunch, and then took Tom for a good long walk along the front at Ironbridge, across the bridge itself, and down the bank on the far side to a pub, where we stopped for a restorative pint. Tom walked very nicely, and didn't have to be carried very much at all, although every dog that we came across meant a two-minute delay while he watched it all the way until it disappeared from view.

After river cobbler and risotto (one of our current favourites) for dinner, Tom had his usual bath and story, after which Nik got to work icing a cake and Michael and I headed out to try and find a nice local pub (we've only been here seven years after all). As luck would have it, we found an old inn in Oakengates that has been running since 1830, and still has all its original interior decor and most of the original frosted windows. Add to that a wide range of local ales and it was an excellent evening. We are now planning to go there for lunch one day.

On Sunday morning, Nik and Tom had an appointment at a local play barn for a birthday party, so Michael and I dropped them off and filled in the ensuing two hours with a good stiff climb up the Wrekin and down the other side. The weather was fantastic again and, despite a lot of heat haze, the views across Shropshire were wonderful. We then picked up the party-goers and headed to the golf club for lunch, where we all had a good nosh. Michael and I then walked back home through the Granville nature reserve, before I took him back to the station to get his train back to London.

As is often the case, a nice weekend past far too quickly, and before I knew it it was time to get back to work on Monday morning.

A glorious weekend

What a glorious weekend - unbroken sunshine and everyone well and in a good mood, what could be better?

Saturday we decided to go for a 'proper' walk, so headed out to Rodney's Pillar just across the Welsh border - it is a steep climb, but with our new found fitness from the Forest of Dean we figured we would be able to do it.

To our surprise, Tom decided he would show us that he can walk really well and walked about half way up the hill (it's a high hill) and it was all uphill, no flat areas at all - he was an absolute gem, laughing and giggling his way up - it took quite a while as he tends to stop and start - it is either stand still or run with him! We finally got to the top where we were rewarded with views across Shropshire and Powys. We had our picnic at the top and then headed down a much steeper path, I carried him down (Matt carried him up for the bits he needed a rest). My knees were completely shot by the time we got to the bottom of the steep bit, but Tom was then happy to toddle back down to the car park from there. We reckon he did a good 2 miles if not more. We found a pub just round the corner from the car park so had a quick drink before heading home. Tom was asleep almost instantly - who can blame him?

He had a good long sleep, during which time Matt tilled the vegetable patch ready to plant potatoes. Once Tom was up, we got the potatoes out and Tom helped plant them - he got the hang of it really well, almost as if he knew what he was doing. I will now try to teach him to water them and talk to them, maybe we will then get a good harvest.

As we were all tired from our walk, we decided to head to our favourite Indian for dinner. We were first in, got our usual table and then Tom got stuck in. He ate an ENORMOUS amount of food, just didn't stop shovelling it in. The staff were really chuffed that he liked it so much. Their Masala sauce was definitely a hit and he also liked the paneer, so will get that for him again next time we visit.

Got home, decided not to give him a bath, so straight to bed - we didn't hear a peep from him.

Slept in until 8am on Sunday - we were all tired. In the morning we headed down to Ironbridge for the monthly BEST walk - not quite on the scale of yesterday - just a pleasant ramble down the hill and back with good company. The pace was a little bit too fast for Tom, he managed about a third of it, but his constant stopping slowed everyone down too much, so we ended up putting him in the rucksack. We then headed into Blists Hill for a picnic and then did the walk down to the Incline Plain and back (so basically the same walk again - but this time within the museum rather than outside the museum). Tom showed signs of getting tired, so we headed home.

The afternoon was spent getting all the garden furniture out, cleaning the bbq out etc for the first bbq of the year. We sat out front with the Gouge's and enjoyed the sun. It really was quite hot - I have definitely caught the sun. Tom spent most of the afternoon playing with Becca - he really likes her - no idea why as she bosses him and drags him around, but he just follows her like a lost puppy. Is really cute to see - and wonderful to sit back and watch.

Around 6.30 Tom started getting tired again, so I put him in the bath (where he tried to swim?) and then stories and bed. He should be having happy dreams.

New words: 'down' (Me: "Tom say up"...Tom: "DOWN!" - Tom was on the see saw on Friday with Mae and I was saying up and down to him, so now thinks that you must say down in response to up) and today he started to say 'car' when he saw them in Ironbridge. He is definitely trying to say more and more, but the sounds he needs to repeat all words aren't there yet...

A relaxing time in The Forest of Dean

Wow! Not sure how this holiday crept up on us, one minute it was months away and the next we were on it. So, we had found ourselves a lovely log cabin in the Forest of Dean to rent for Monday to Friday - it's a part of the country I don't know very well which is strange considering I lived not too far away for a number of years.

The log cabin was wonderful - much larger than I expected, and the hot tub on the veranda (that's what sold us the holiday) was WONDERFUL, all 3 of us took full advantage of it.

Day one was spent getting to the cabin via stop offs for lunch (lovely country pub in Shilton) shopping (Gloucester) and a view point (Symonds Yat), then got the keys to our cabin and settled in (ie rearranged the furniture to fit Tom in his own room). Tom immediately loved it and spent the afternoon running up and down its length giggling. We then all had a soak in the hot tub (had to make sure it worked) before putting Tom to bed over an hour late (well we are on holiday after all). Then back to the hot tub for another soak (yep still working)

Had a lovely leisurely morning and then decided to go back to Symonds Yat for a walk. Unfortunately it started raining on our way over there and then didn't stop all day! We were stalwarts though and did the whole walk in the rain. Tom decided to catch up in his sleep and fell asleep in the rucksack whilst I was carrying him (I think the boys were plotting against me to make sure I got a lot of exercise as I couldn't put him down or transfer him to Matt whilst he was asleep!) He slept for a good 45 mins - waking up just before we got back to the car. Unfortunately we had to have our picnic in the car as it was so wet (humpfh!). We then went back to the view point - couldn't see much, but you could get a real good speed up on your bus free-wheeling down the hill from it (Matt had to run to keep up with him)

Got back to the cabin, dried off, jumped in the hot tub (much nicer getting wet this way!), had dinner and then put Tom to bed (even later this time)

Wednesday it was still raining, so we decided to visit the Clearwell Caves. We had to negotiate our way through a very full car park - there was a huge film crew there from Merlin - we've never watched it so can't say if we saw anyone famous. Tom didn't have the best of times there, he grizzled quite a bit and I had to carry him for most of the way round. We understood why later, he fell asleep as soon as we put him in the car - must have been tired. He has reverted back to 2 naps a day - a result of lots of physical activity, less sleep and lots of time in the hot tub! We drove to Monmouth for lunch and found a fab coffee shop located in a even more fabulous cook shop. I was in heaven! Food was fantastic as were the cakes and they even made Tom some cheese on toast which wasn't on the menu - but which he demolished in no time at all. I am very glad we don't live near there - all my profits would be spent in that shop!

We returned to the cabin, put Tom down for his second nap of the day and then spent the afternoon walking round the cabin site - there were walks, a play area and lots of other toddlers to investigate. Then of course another session in the hot tub before dinner.

Thursday we decided to have a very leisurely morning, Tom spent most of it running up and down the cabin before being put to bed for his morning nap. We then headed out to Beechenhurst Lodge where there was a sculpture trail in the forest. Tom was nicely refreshed so after an early picnic he did really well exploring the trail before resorting to the rucksack. At one point we found a stained glass window which was really interesting. We let Tom out of his rucksack so he could toddle around. He walked for another half hour (after attempting to get in the rucksack on his own and falling over - he looked like a surprised beached whale bless him!) Got back to the start and Tom still had the energy to play in the play area - not sure how?! His Daddy was happy though, he got to play as well as you can see.

Got back to the cabin late, had a looooong hot tub before Tom went to bed very late again! We then had another hot tub.

Friday, we had to leave the cabin by 10am so we were up earlier to get everything sorted, ended up being ready by 9am. We headed to Cannop Ponds for another walk. Tom once again did very well - walking about half of the 2 mile trail. We then headed back home, stopping at the Queens Wood Cafe at an Arboretum just outside Hereford. We had a good lunch, including Tom who ate two of the biggest fish fingers I have ever seen as well as a huge portion of chips (the best chips I've had in ages)

Got home around 2.30. Tom slept in the car and then again in the cot on our arrival. I then took him to Asda to get some milk and eggs. It all went very bad at this stage, Tom refused to walk and cried and cried and screamed and screamed. He did this for a good 1.5 hours. I have no idea what was wrong, he was well rested, well fed and well watered. He was just grumpy (not happy to be home?). Meant that it took 2 hours to go to Asda and back (coming back he was absolutely fine!)

So, he was late to bed again, but no hot tub this time - boo hoo!

Anyway we had a lovely, relaxing break - would definitely consider doing it again. Very few of the attractions in the area were open, so there would be plenty to do a second time.

Word of the holiday: Tom has started to say 'hello' although it comes out as 'ello'. He has started to shout it at the top of his voice at random times, is very funny and lovely.

London with Grannie and Grandpa

We actually managed a fairly early start on Saturday, leaving the house around 9.00am and, following a quick stop at Wychwood Kennels to drop off Mog, we had a very easy journey down the M6 and M1 to St. Albans, where lunch with Lindsey and Stuart awaited. It was sausages (yeah!), so we all ate well, especially Tom, and I discovered the delights of Levi Roots Reggae Reggae tomato ketchup. I've never liked ketchup, but I do now. Tom was a bit grumpy to start with, but we took him for a game of skittles on the lawn (he's a terrible cheat) and he spent ages playing with Stuart's BigTrak (retro 80s toy), which he pushed round their flat over and over again.

After lunch, Nik headed for London with the girls for a Dirty Dancing matinee in the West End, and Tom and I got back in the car to drive to London. He didn't seem to mind being parted from Mummy and he was also impeccably behaved in the car, despite the London end of the journey being very slow.

He took around 20 seconds to settle in at Grannie & Grandpa's, then got stuck into his ever growing stash of toys. His tiger trike is now the perfect size for him, and the wheelbarrow was just as popular as last time. He basically spent all afternoon playing happily, ate an OK-ish tea, had a good bath, and then refused to go to bed after his milk & story. He just kept pointing at the bedroom door as if to say "I'm not finished playing yet". However, he'd only had half an hour's sleep all day (in the car, just after we left Telford), so exhaustion overcame rage very quickly and he had a great sleep, waking only once for a cough.

Sunday looked like being nice, and Grannie thought a trip to Windsor might interest the lad. 5 is a bit of a squeeze in the Lancer, so it was decided that the girls would go in the car and the boys would take the train. A good plan, as it turned out - Tom sat on my knee (in the first class car) for the whole 40 minute journey, seemingly fascinated by the view from the window. I was delighted, and not a little surprised. In fact, he sat still for so long that my legs went to sleep. We arrived at Windsor station to find Mummy & Grannie waiting at the end of the platform, but Tom was extremely reluctant to move away from his beloved train, remaining rooted to the platform and dissolving into tears when I led him away.

It didn't last long though - we walked into town and went to the old station for a coffee. He toddled round quite nicely and seemed genuinely interested in his surroundings. We went for some tapas at La Tasca for lunch - we enjoyed it, but Tom was a bit bolshy and wouldn't each much. After lunch, though, he walked very nicely, stopping only to wave at the numerous aircraft on their way to Heathrow and stare at a huge flock of swans on the Thames. We decided to let him have a bit of time in a playground, which he enjoyed as always, and I then put him on my shoulders for the short walk back to the station. If there were any doubts about whether he would have been better going back in the car, they were dispelled by a huge "YEAH!" when he spotted the train in the platform. Very touching. He sat very nicely on my knee again, but after 20 minutes or so, it was all too much and he fell into a deep sleep, which lasted all the way to Mortlake, most of the walk home and then for another hour in his cot.

He then proceeded to eat a mammoth dinner, have another good bath and hit the hay with no protest whatsoever.

A lovely day, and one which has prompted us to make our next trip to London a longer one. He really enjoys his time there.