Today we ventured to Knole Park, a NT property that is surrounded by 100 acres of rustic parkland. It was the parkland we headed for and joined BFF & son for a walk, a bit of tree-climbing and a picnic. And there, in the distance, were some magnificent antlers and a small group of deer laying down for a siesta in the shade. A rustle in the ferns behinds us meant another bambi had crept up behind us, perhaps hoping for a bit of our picnic. It was so beautiful – so much space, the kids could just run and run and run. The pathways were alive with butterflies and crickets and BFF’s son was duly tracking in Bear Gryll’s styley and kindly informed us whether the deer poo was fresh or not. I was glad we left Fergus at home, for I fear youtube would have been graced with Fenton 2: The Deer Stalker. ’Feeennnnntttonnnn!’
We finished off the day with a coffee/ice-cream and as we were sat down a man walked up to the table next to us wearing a hat like this:
to which Littlest pointed and declared ‘Cowboy!’. Not sure if he didn’t hear or wasn’t amused but it made us giggle. Out of the mouths of babes….
On the way home we made the mistake of ‘popping’ into town to get school shoes. Yes, after a long, tiring day out we decide to go into to the town centre with three mardy kids, queue up and wait in the playground they call Clark’s kids’ shoes. Don’t ask. No brown shoes, no E fittings that actually fit and out of stock in the trainers. So we left with one pair of indoor trainers for Eldest, a clip ’round the ear for my son, a squawking toddler, Husband developed a nervous tic and I lost the will to live.
Littlest then demanded to walk and I did at least have her baby reins with me, although I would prefer to clip her on to Fergus’ extending dog lead. As usual, the sojourn ended with her dangling on said reins doing a ‘mission impossible’ and refusing to go any further, my son telling me he is hungry (but only for sweets) and Eldest complaining about how unfair it all is and did I remember I promised to buy her something circa 12 weeks ago. ARGHH!!! New mantra: whenever insanity rises and I think taking three children into town is a good idea GOHOMEGOHOMEGOHOME.
So, home I am. Children are in bedrooms and I drinking tea and, well blogging (obviously). 10 minutes of sanctuary before it’s:
- supper
- bath
- stories
- bed
- getbacktobed
- get.back.to.bed.
- getbacktobedorthere’snoTVinthemorning
- getbacktobedorthere’snosnacksorTVallday
- getbacktobedorIamcancellingchristmas
- etc…etc…
No wonder I’m so bloody tired.
It’s wine time!