the big scream

I finally went to the big scream with a neighbour, to see Wah Wah. The film was reasonably watchable and the sound of about forty babies squealing and whimpering wasn't as distracting as you might think. After a quick picnic in the park, we returned to our respective homes and wilting gardens.

For those of you that don't know, we are experiencing a drought in the south of England and there has been a hose pipe ban since April. I suspect that the Northeners have been stealing and stockpiling our water as everything looked suspiciously swampy north of Watford Gap, when we made our epic journey to Scotland earlier in the year. Anyway, we have a hosepipe ban and it's not unreasonable as you're allowed to use a hosepipe to top up your garden pond (to save the froggies) or fill up your swimming pool! I couldn't bloody believe it when I checked the website and looked at what was allowed. What I can't understand is anyone thinking it's ok to use water in this way, but lo and behold my parent's neighbours have an enormous hard sided inflatable pool which they've filled for the children to play in. Never mind that they can well afford to take their children in their enormous and expensive sprogwagon to the local swimming pool, which many families can't, they are hastening the onset further, more draconian water restrictions. I kept my mouth shut for the sake of my parents, but it was hard not to burst their bubble of entitlement.

On a less whiny note, I got a lovely sunsuit and hat set for Babycake. It's supposed to block 97.5% of the sun's harmful rays and should cut down on the need for sunblock for him. While I am possibly a little over the top in ensuring that the boy doesn't get sun damaged skin, I am positively neglectful according to all the child care literature, which tells you to keep children under a year out of the sun. As we have no intention of turning nocturnal, I have absolutely no idea how to achieve this-blackout blinds on all the windows, perhaps? Poor little lad would end up with rickets if we listened to this stupidity. I'm have to say that I'm getting a little fed up with this scaremongering advice around parenting and I wish we could be credited with a just a little common sense.