Fun with the grandsons

It was an early start today to drive to Gosforth to pick up Nathaniel then on to Whitley Bay for Thomas and James. We’d bought tickets for the Stephenson railway museum. The steam engine pulled some old coaches (previously from a London commuter line) to Percy Main and back with us as passengers. They spent the whole trip talking about One Piece and manga. We missed the window when boys are interested in such stuff. Though they did discuss the environment impact.

We drove to Tynemouth to Riley’s fish shack for lunch which was a mistake as it was very expensive. (We should have gone to the fish quay but we didn’t realise). We all had smoked haddock soufflés which came on their own - nothing with them at all - £13 each. James wasn’t happy as they had no shell fish so he had 2 bread sticks for £6. And we sat outside! It was sunny but we were in the shade so it was very cold. The soufflés were tasty but not enough to fill growing boys.

Ella had gone out with Imman to Metro Centre for lunch and a film while #3 daughter goes to IKEA. After the lunch Mr C went to Sainsbury’s with a long list and the boys are - guess what? - engrossed in One Piece at Nathaniel’s house.

Thomas and James are staying with us till Saturday.

So disappointed that our PM has acted as messenger boy and delivered a letter from (Not my) king to have a state visit here. I understand why they are trying to get Trump onside but it won’t work. And the Tates have been allowed to USA despite being up for rape and other charges in Romania. For years they have incited young men and boys to misogynistic behaviour towards women and girls. It’s been a big problem in schools here. I’m feeling so despairing and no doubt it will get worse.

The blip is the boys playing near the fish shack and at the train.