“Hi, what are you up to this drizzling day?  With complete lack of forethought I though I’d ask if you wanted to get together, even if it is for a kiddy puddle walk.”

The texted plea to my buddy went out at 9:52 Sunday morning as I watched the mist wafting gently down outside the front window.  We had already done our paper craft and the troops were getting antsy.

She text back almost immediately: “Yes I would like to get my kids outside for a bit they are getting a bit wild!  What time are you thinking, after lunch or soonish?  Maybe meet at quarry to burn off some energy then to one of the houses for hot drinks?”

A day at home boosts the creative naughtiness. I was in the shower when I heard Naomi’s squawks and only late discovered that Big Bro had confiscated her clothes. “Milo, Dad will NOT be impressed that you’ve decked out his tahr in your sister’s clothes!” He doesn’t look very apologetic, does he?

Hurray!  The day wasn’t going to be a lonely damp flop–our friends were available!  We stuffed the kids in water-proof “trousers” (know to us Americans as “overalls” and headed to the reserve.

April’s kids are 3, 5 and 7, good compatible ages to mine. This mud slide was definitely the highlight of the wander.  I haven’t bothered to clean the gear yet, but I’m pretty sure the cleaning effort will be well worth the trip out.

After our trot around Halswell Quarry we returned to our house for hot chocolate; the kids had a play and the moms had a natter.  A completely satisfactory way to spend a damp afternoon.