Much to the delight of the children, we have had ‘Bob the Builder’ living with us, or should I say, alongside us for the past couple of months. The job was expected to last a month or so, but given our current very wet summer, we have had the pleasure of Bob for longer. I had not quite realised how much the combination of rain, builders and large quantities of mud would appeal to small children in their wellington boots. They have not been able to resist the urge to jump in puddles and climb the muddy banks. When I call them for tea, they run inside and flick off their wellies, resulting in a spray of mud across the floor and walls. The baby and dog then proceed to tread in the splatters of mud and tread it into the carpets across the the house. “What’s a bit of mud?” I regularly say to myself as I am mopping the kitchen floor for the umpteenth time that day.
Inevitably, our four-year-old son has decided that he is now a qualified builder having watched Bob and his sidekick, Charlie, eagerly. Yesterday I found him up a step ladder in the kitchen threatening to change one of the many halogen light bulbs which regularly need replacing. He has also compiled his own tool kit and when Bob leaves for the evening, our son is outside tapping and hammering, claiming he is working some overtime for Bob.
But what has really thrilled us all, is that the long awaited for terrace has now been completed. I had visions of my carefully chosen Bradstone flooring being littered with terracotta pots overflowing with Rosemary, Mint and Tarragon. But my husband was quick to say, “You can’t have pots. The children won’t be able to ride their bikes around properly.” To my horror, I have also discovered that he has spent much time briefing Bob on the ramp that he wants built for the steps so that the children can have a smoother ride without having to dismantle. I predict that before long, my lovely rustic terrace will be transformed into a busy racetrack littered with cones, ramps and signposts with not a herb in sight.
