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Pretty much daily since lockdown began my son has asked us if we can go to Mr Tod's house or if he can ride a tractor, or if he can cuddle Mr Tod. Mr Tod is the baddie from the Peter Rabbit TV show, but my son loves him (because he is pure evil too) and loved meeting him the last time we went to Willows and playing in the mock up of his house that they have there.
Willows is open again and so we booked up last week and this morning we fulfilled two out of three of a two year old's dreams. I wasn't convinced we'd be able to do any of the things he wanted. You can't really social distance in the warren of slides and secret entrances in Mr Tod's house and I wasn't sure if the tractor would be running and I was pretty certain that no student would be donning a costume so that a million virus covered kids could hug them. The student would be masked up, but Mr Tod's fur is a breeding ground for Corona (and probably where it all started).
I was right about the last one, but the house was open and the tractor was running and it was ace to fulfil those two wishes at least. But also just so amazing to be able to do a normal day out with other families. Plenty of things were shut at the attraction (but it was very cheap as a result) and none of the shows were put on (I suspect to save money rather than to protect from disease) but there was loads to do still and the sun was shining and it felt free and normal and only about 20% incredibly dangerous. Even the drive there felt like an escape. Obviously we've done a few trips to the zoo and the in-laws, but something about today made me realise how patiently we have waited to have freedom and how much I'd missed ordinary stuff like this, whilst convincing myself all was well.
Mr Tod's house remains a terrifying experience as a parent as your kids disappear into the secret tunnels and can get out at the top or the bottom and you fear them getting lost or abducted (and now wiping Covid-19 all over each other too), but man, they had so much fun that it was worth all the risks.
The tractor ride was with social distancing and spray downs between trips, but just what Ernie wanted (he is 28 years old) and Phoebe enjoyed the trampolines and bouncy castles (she is also 28 years old) and I enjoyed the fact that as time and attractions were limited the morning out cost us about £25 rather than £75.Plus we completed possibly the first Herring family outing with no tears or tantrums or arguments. The perfect day? Worth getting the virus and missing out on my TV job?
Maybe.
My in-laws were then on hand to look after the kids until bed time and walk the dog, so I had the whole afternoon to myself. This may have been the best day of the year so far. Though to be fair most of the days have been pretty shit. Better than Palin?
Don't be stupid.
