I'm David, I'm married to the delectable Ella and father to the even more delectable Sod Baby (OK, she's called Rosie really, but that doesn't have the same ring to it.
Things have been really hectic chez David this last couple of weeks and I'm desperately wishing it wasn't Monday morning tomorrow. Rosie has been away at my mother-in-law's in Cumbria for the last two weeks, for various complicated and convoluted reasons involving childcare, and I took the opportunity last weekend to go out with her Godfather and drink too much beer. Then it was on to a train to Stratford upon Avon for three days; sadly it was very much work not pleasure, but I did get to meet my friend Helen and her two boys after the work was done. I haven't seen her for about six years, in which time she's got married, emigrated to Australia, moved back and had two sons. There was a lot to catch up on, far more than two hours drinking tea by the river could do justice (especially with two adorable, intelligent and demanding toddlers in tow), but it was wonderful just to see them all and sit in the sun. Stratford really is such a beautiful town.
There was just enough time to indulge my inner (well, not so inner) train geek in Birmingham and then it was off to Cumbria to see Sod Baby and the in laws.
First up it was a day out in Kendal. Ella's from there originally and it still pains her mum that they ever left, but we haven't actually been there for years. There was little rhyme or reason for Kendal other than it is halfway between my parents' home in Bradford and the in laws' in the Lake District and my mum and dad haven't see Rosie for even longer than me. Rosie took care of the driving...
and it was just nice to potter about a pretty town in the hot sunshine and drink lots of lovely coffee and at ice cream and salad and cake. Ella even managed to find a vintage clothing shop, although I swear she'd be able to find one of those on the moon if she put her mind to it.
Saturday night was going out in Carlisle for a curry with Ella's schoolfriend Becky and several of her friends. I got extra Lovely Husband points by being designated driver whilst Ella and her brother had champagne cocktails and Morgan's Spiced rum and I got extra The Chap points by taking "dress to impress" literally and going out in a full three piece suit.
And now I'm back home without Ella and without Sod Baby, sipping a cider, watching the grand prix and trying to remember why I was so sniffy about Orbital's music when I was a teenager. I love my job but can someone please arrange it so that I can take my bed to work tomorrow?
