Tea at the Lock Keeper's

I wanted to do something fun after work today. So that is why I ended up helping sort out the maths cupboard, and going to the bank for a long chat with the 'slow manager'! By the time I'd done that I had no wish to go to Gloucester on a hot day, so I walked down to the canal, to the Lock Keeper's cafe. The ladies of Box Sketching group had their easels set up on the opposite towpath, from where the view is charming. I just went in and ordered, and sat on the grass with my tea, till there was a picnic table free. Read a chapter of "My cousin Rachel " by Daphne du Maurier, which is intriguing, and more of Understanding Your Child's Sensory Signals" by Angie Voss. The answer to most of the queries seems to be "your child does this because it helps him/her order the brain and to know where they are located in space (proprioception)"; the remedy seems to be "firm touch, heavy work, and a bubble mountain".

Can anyone tell me what a bubble mountain is? I keep thinking it should be a fountain, surely?

Back at the ranch, I am slowly getting my head round more desk-sorting, but it's a lovely evening, so I'm not trying very hard. Plus, the cider is kicking in...

I did not manage to do bead-making today at playtime with any of the children, as I am the self appointed outdoor play person. So we played skittles instead. A psychic told me in 1997 that if I looked ahead to, say, my life in 10 or 15 years' time, I'd be amazed at the changes. She was so right: I worked in publishing then!

PS This is the view from the Lock Keeper's, which is not very scenic. But the badger graffitti is fun. If I go back tomorrow and blip the actual cafe from the other side of the towpath, you'll be amazed at the change.

The cafe from the other side