I Heart Somerset
Warming Up
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It’s lovely to be spending time with the family in Somerset, a place where rules about joining the rat race or worshipping new-fangled monotheistic religions or not marrying your sister do not apply.
Yesterday when walking around the village we’re staying in, we saw a couple walking a sheep on a lead. You don’t get that in that there London.
Obviously I wouldn’t want to stay here for more than a week because you can’t get a latte for miles around and everyone is married to their sister, but it’s nice to visit.
And the family seems to be enjoying each other’s company with no fights (except between my children, but some things even Christmas can’t cure) and lots of fun and games.
We dragged a reluctant Phoebe and Ernie on a walk around the grounds of the property that everyone else is staying in this afternoon. It was cold and muddy and they didn’t want to be out of the house and away from their devices. I remembered feeling the same back in the 70s and 80s when I was forced to go on walks on the Mendips. Walking in the countryside is undeniably more boring than ipads and even 1970s children’s TV.
I remembered times when a muddy puddle was the greatest thing that my children could see and jump in, but they were more reluctant to get involved this time (though quickly remembered what was great about them). We then took a turn into the woods where there was a “natural playground” with various things to climb on and swing on placed at intervals around the path, plus suggestions of ways to commune with nature. All the stuff was a bit wet and slippery and there was a bit of snark from the 10 year old, but they actually both really got into the fun of it and Ernie was even reluctant to head back into the warmth. I liked running around on top of the Gorge once we got up there too. Why are children such fucking idiots?
If you’ve failed to get anyone a Christmas present or want to give yourself a great gift, David Mitchell is returning to RHLSTP on 16th March at the Leicester Sq Theatre and as I write there are still some £17.50 tickets left. So BOOK NOW.
Enjoy the fest of fun with your family, Rich. And thanks for the gift idea - 2 × £17.50 tickets to see you and David Mitchell - much more amusing than socks and slippers.
Re reindeer (the comment function doesn’t work when there is sub-only content attached, so couldn’t say so yesterday): two years ago I bought a pillow-sized reindeer which my boys took turns cuddling in bed each night. The gender of toys has always be identified by the owner so the shared nature of the reindeer led to some mild arguing between younger two (then 7 and 11) about it. I said it sounded like Rudy was gender queer - female identifying one night, male with next. The musical appeal of the appellation ‘Rudy the Gender-Queer Reindeer’ has stuck 😁
(My eldest is 15 continues to shares his bed with all the stuffed toys he’s accumulated over the years; mostly reptiles - a lot of snakes, a chameleon, a komodo dragon - but also a few cute ones and the teddy bear he had since he was a baby. The 13yr old continues to affectionately interact with his own. I asked him recently whether his favourite, Snap, was a crocodile or an alligator. He thought about it for minute then replied: ‘I'm not sure, but he identifies as a crocodile’ 🩷