Lyme Park

Fresh air smooths most things.
Sharp wind, steep slopes, nice sandwich!
Mostly swerved drama.

We all slept well, Ben's bloods were high so there was a bit of messing about but overall it was good.  We had arranged to meet my mum and step dad at Lyme Park, I was keen to plan every element as Ben does struggle with these trips.  I had snacks planned for every stage and water proof trousers/coats all sorted.  We haven't taken Leo to Lyme yet, so that was also a new thing.  We made some scones before we set off and I said Ben could have one in the car on the way home if he'd been good.  It was a bit hit and miss to be honest.  It started well, we had a nice walk, this selfie was from about half way around our loop and then we headed back to get lunch.  Mum had brought sandwiches from a local shop and we went to sit in the muddy paws dog area, it was sort of barn like and had vaulted ceilings and beams.  There was a family with noisy children and I suspect the general strangeness combined with their voices echoing around made Leo really bark.  I gave him some food which quietened him, briefly.  But he was definitely not a happy camper.  I ended up picking him up to reassure him, covering myself in mud and to no avail!  Just as I was giving up and going outside with him a snooty woman from a table in the corner came to say they were having a meeting and could I please try and appease him.  Sigh.  Heaven knows what they were doing in the dog area having a meeting (with no dog, might I add!!) and what she expected me to do, I'm not sure.. but I was on my way out anyway.  It meant that I wasn't able to supervise Ben eating and he ate too fast and was done before everyone else and then he started getting weirdly obsessed with leaving and going into the cafe next door to see if they had full fat Pepsi and look at how many carbs were in it.  I knew I couldn't let him go in the cafe as he would probably start a massive thing in there.. things tend to spiral- so it would start with looking, then he would want to touch, then to buy etc etc and he's too big to restrain in these environments (any environments..)  Sigh.  I managed to distract as much as possible but then I realised he'd need a wee and the toilets were right by the cafe.. it's all good fun.  I threw him a compromise that I would go in and take a photo of their drinks selection whilst he waited nicely, then he would have a wee and if he'd done all that then I would show him the photo of the drinks cabinet.  It mostly worked out OK.  It's just very tiring.  It was great that my mum could stay with Leo whilst it all went down :-) So we made it back to the car and cut our losses and went home.  We were there for about an hour and a half in total, I feel bad that we can't stay out longer and have more luxurious time with family but it is what it is!  And I did get a stomp in the hills which makes me happy :-)  There was also lemon drizzle cake :-)
Leo was a rascal at home, he ran off in the garden, though the bushes and when he came back he was gagging like he'd eaten something he shouldn't..  I've watched him and all seems well, he's eaten his tea OK, so hopefully it was nothing significant.  But there's never a dull moment! 
Right, I'm hoping for another good night and a more "home-based' day tomorrow and I'm washing all my muddy clothes and coat!