Hard to beat

Here's Shark, looking shifty at the edge of a freezing cold field in Milton Keynes.

Because when this photograph was taken, everyone has glumly come to the conclusion that mama has outdone herself. Late by one year. The Parks Walk we turn up for at 10am this morning was 1st January 2009 and not 2010.

So with no-one at the meeting point, except us and five red pinched noses, things are looking bad.

And mama suggests we all go for a lovely walk as a family, since we turned up for that purpose, shame to waste it, and the day is shockingly blue and sparkly iced. Let's have fun!

Hmm. I am failing to detect enthusiasm for that suggestion, especially since the gritlets were wrapped up toasty warm like slugs in blankets at 9.35 before Mummy Grit jackbooted in and whipped off the covers.

But I'm not giving up. This home education life travels outdoors in 2010, unless you cling onto the door frames again. Now come down here and see where it leads.

To ice! Fantastic! Told you so. Now I get to wear the Hat of Righteousness. Because if you are aged nine, ice is fun! Especially if you smash great lumps of it with the heel of your foot and see with satisfaction the ripple of breakage you can cause six metres away.



But then! Just as we are engaged in destroying what nature has so kindly provided, past us struggle a raggedy cold walking group. Guess what? Mama gets to don the Double Hat of Righteousness and it's not even midday! Because here is the walking group! We were at the meeting point EARLY. Now we join that 2-hour walk round lake and field.



And if that is not my best, most satisfying and righteous moment so far of 2010, it is shortly overtaken by another ...

Can you see that? Shark, Tiger and Squirrel ARE STROKING A DOG.

Now any reader of grit's day knows that the fear of dogs for Tiger and Squirrel is so overpowering, they would rather never leave the house than meet one of these slobbering demon creatures that lick their own arses and then come and sniff your ankles, like you might be next on the menu.

My dearest Shark, Squirrel and Tiger. I have used strategy after strategy. I have held hands, offered dark glasses, talked fear management techniques, stood between you and demon dog, let you hang round my shoulders until you just about broke my neck. But look here! We never had to feed the dog rohypnol or sedate the kids with Tixylix.

Here is dog. Here are kids. It all just is. This could be the breakthrough we have sought. And this moment, combined with a bright shining blue day and, for once in my life, turning up somewhere early, makes this the best day yet of 2010.