Sun, sea and stones

Home again!

And no the ferry couldn't fit in a children's play area. It was a very small space containing four bean bags and a TV screen very high on the wall showing cartoons. And absolutely no kind of barrier to keep children inside. Completely bloody useless. I decided the safest place for little man was on the tiny outside deck bit at the back. Where there weren't people walking around with hot food and drinks or grumpy old ladies who mutter under their breath about children not being under control. Exactly how am I supposed to persuade a very energetic small boy that he cannot go running off wherever he likes? I spent the whole two and a half hours walking him round and round - in the sling as long as he would tolerate it, in my arms, or trying to get him to hold my hand. He still doesn't understand the whole holding hands for safety thing.

But... we had a very nice few days away. Never far from the sea, beautiful weather, other small people to keep little man busy. Thought we saw a basking shark from afar but it turned out to be a small fishing boat. Darn. I have brought home a nice collection of stones. Naughty, I know, what if everyone who went did the same and all that. But I think little man and I might be related to Makka Pakka. We like stones.

Bit difficult now we are home and it is just little man and me. Suddenly there is a lot of whinging and a small person clinging to my legs as I try to get anything done. There is definitely something to be said for communal living with extended families or the wider community even if it does mean losing any privacy. There's only one thing I can think of that you really need privacy for and there's no risk of that happening round here at the moment!

I seem to be very suddenly developing a cold and have been sneezing and hiccuping at the same time for the past hour, something I hope another glass of wine will cure.