Mark & Clare Miscellany 2018

Extracts from John-Luke’s Journal

Sat 27 Jan: My birthday walk (my ride-in-backpack gives the best views). I thought I had got rid of my hat by halfway. Daddy went on his own walk to look for it. After lunch we started again and found my hat. Must try harder next time.

Thu 8 Feb: Daddy is in a sitting room on a stage dressed in dungarees to match me. He’s talking in a funny voice about carrots. Apparently, he will be skiving off bedtime duty all week and in some sort of play called “The Foreigner”.

Fri 6 Apr: We’ve been living with sheep. My job is topping up the lambing pens – one bit of straw at a time. There’s a tractor too.

Sun 8 Apr: Guess what I’ve learnt. If you walk without clinging onto Mummy it still works and doesn’t go horribly wrong. Freedom!

Fri 20 Apr 9am: At Nana’s today, where’s “Ey up” the duck?

Fri 20 Apr 8pm: Mummy and Daddy are late today. Nana and Granddad think it is bedtime here… Odd.

Sat 21 Apr 6pm: Mummy and Daddy haven’t been seen. Should I let someone know?

Sun 22 Apr 10pm: Daddy has finally picked me up. He smells of German sausage. Oh, good and Mummy’s at home with a muddy bike. Their employers should consult me next time, so they don’t arrange simultaneous weekends away.

Fri 11 May: I can now say about twenty words, including the most important words – book and bike. I can now make my wishes clear at 6pm “bike, bike, bike, bike”!

Wed 18 July: BBQ at church today to end the children’s group Daddy has helped run for 11 years. He was a bit sad.

Fri 17 Aug: At the seaside with my cousin ELI! Fish and chips, riding in my bike trailer, chasing each other on trikes. Eli is the best. I went swimming in the sea. It went up and down and got in my face. Everyone laughed so I laughed too.

Sat 18 Aug: Today at the seaside Mummy and Daddy went to bit of mud in the park and threw heavy metal balls around with lots of other adults. I was only allowed to watch.

Mon 20 Aug: There was a procession by the seafront. Mummy dressed me as a Marshling all in red and I rode my scuttlebug-trike past lots and lots of people. I tried to say hello to everyone; it took me a very long time to finish.

Wed 7 Nov: Spent today on a train. It’s bedtime, and we’re getting on a new train. This one has a room with its own door and bunk beds. I’m expected to sleep in my pushchair. But I can reach the sink. I shall play washing hands all night!

Thu 8 Nov: Woke up and still on the train. I’m pointing out the window and trying to identify a “Cocogees” [ed Portuguese]. Signs say “Lisboa”. I wonder where this is.

Sat 10 Nov: I found a “little snake” today. Looks like the ones in the books. Not sure what type; Daddy keeps saying “earthworm” so maybe it’s an Earthworm Snake.

Tue 12 Nov 6pm: Well, wherever it is I’m happy here. I have been to see hundreds of fish in a big tank – the “aeroplane-fish” [rays] are the best. There are sunny, sandy beaches. I built my first dam with Daddy. “Obrigado”.

Tue 4 Dec: Today is my first day “upstairs” in Nursery. No more baby room for me. I am so proud of myself. Good work! Well done John-Luke!