Freddy and Kirsty

Eileen, who is Helena's great friend from their days at Edinburgh University, brought her two nippers over to play at our house today, as the school holidays have started. Helena loves having children here and she can practise her training in playwork. Within minutes they were all out in the cabin and the shed, bringing the parasol for the patio table out into the sun. The parasol is a little the worse for wear, and now seems to need a splint to keep its awning taut. Before that could happen, the hoover was needed to dust off the cobwebs and other beasts that had found it to be a suitable winter home.

They also discovered the hammock that is Helena's pride and joy. Within minutes both Freddy, who is eleven, and Kirsty, who is nine, were both in the hammock and jostling for position.

By the time I reached them with my camera, Kirsty had won the first round and Freddy was preparing to change the situation. Eileen later told me that they have their own hammock at home, so this was regular state of affairs. In fact once she had warned them to be very careful in case they landed on the concrete surface where their hammock was. She thought that would put an end to the fighting, but instead when she next came out they had both put on their bicycle helmets in true health and safety mode.

It has been fun to have their energy hereabouts. They are a lovely family.