It's August and the schools are out. And what a glorious summer it'sbeen so far, the sun has been relentless and we've had loads of beachtrips and barbecues.
I was shocked the other day though to see one of those "Book early forChristmas" signs. Nothing like wishing your life away, eh?
One of the highlights of our summer activity programme so far has been acircus skills workshop. Funnily enough, when I was a child the only timewe went to the circus was as a Christmas treat, but all that's changedand the circus is far more accessible now. We brought in a team ofexperts to work with our children to help them to develop their skillsin plate spinning, juggling, diablo and stilt walking.
The children were shy at first, and anxious about getting it wrong, butthey needn't have worried. As usual I displayed the co-ordination andgrace of a prize heifer and the children laughed as I tried to keep theplates spinning in the air. "Put your tongue away Claire," said one, andI realised with embarrassment that such was my concentration that I wasalmost licking the window. And of course the plates crashed down, whichmade the children laugh even more. How come children have moreco-ordination than us lot? Or is it just me?
One at a time, they tried new skills. But the favourite activity was thestilt walking.
The workshop leaders demonstrated how to tie the stilts, how to takefirst steps and how to fall safely. I didn't even bother trying. But inno time, we had children racing across the hall, holding hands and evenjuggling on their stilts. I was delighted by their pride and glee asthey practised and tried new steps.
One girl even made it out into the shopping precinct, supported by aleader. The shoppers gazed in surprise as she promenaded round theshops.
By the end of the session we had a group of children whose pride inthemselves had increased tenfold. And it reminded me that the circusreally is for all children's holidays, not just Christmas. Just rememberto book early.
