Two mornings a week I have the neighbours two children before school. They usually arrive at about 7.40am and set off for school at about 8.15am. I used to always walk with them but for the last few months they often walk to school on their own - they are 6 and 8 and L is now 10. They only walk a short way on their own really and then call for another friend and by the time they call for her there are quite a few parents and children also walking to the school. There are no main roads to cross - just two lanes, across a pretty much unused public carpark and into the school playground. 15 minute walk tops.
I was going to walk with them this morning because of the snow but they were adamant that they wanted to walk on their own and of course they would be sensible. They are all togged up in snow suits as it is outdoor learning day today which means that most of the day they will be out playing in the snow.
The three of them set off 5 minutes earlier than usual as Mick had rung to say it was pretty slippy so I thought I would give them a little bit of extra time.
The little sods - the minute they thought they were out of my sight they were rolling around in the snow and charging down the hill. They obviously forgot that apart from one short wooded area I can see them the whole way down the lane and once they get out of my sight, they are within sight of the friend that they call for's mum!