The boys get out to play!

It is damp outside but at least it isn't raining so the boys wrapped up warm and went outside to play.

So is there anywhere good to skateboard around here Henry?  James asks.

Well we are allowed on the footpath as long as we are careful and it is fun as it is downhill.  Henry replies.  There is a skate park but we are not allowed there as it gets a bit rough.

Well sounds pretty good just hanging around here and seeing how fast we can go down the hill.  Emrys says.

Emrys is the first to get on the skateboard. 

Hang on James, I will get out of your way.  Henry says as he moves to give James room to get on his board.

Henry moves out of the way and watches James as he gets on his board.

Pretty cool move James!  Henry says

My turn now!

Yeah!  James cheers as Henry gets on his board.  Let's go!

The boys set off...

Their chatter becomes a distant noise, but I am sure they are discussing who can go the fastest!

Let's hope there aren't any injuries to patch up when they come back inside...

Several hours later...

Tired and exhausted boys arrive back.

It seems Henry and Emrys have had enough of skateboarding although James is riding until the end!

The boys 'dump' their skateboards and have a chat about what to do next.

How about a hot drink of Milo?  Henry asks the boys.

Sure that sounds great!  They reply.

They start to come inside.

Ummm boys...haven't you forgotten something?

In typical boy style the skateboards are left unceremoniously in the garden waiting for the invisible fairy to bring them inside and put them away.

I don't think so!  She has gone on strike...leave the skateboards out there and there will be no hot drink!

Skateboarding and a gift from Hester.

This afternoon Ryder and I managed to get outside for the afternoon and thought we would practice some stunts on the skateboard....

We were soon joined by Ollie who grabbed hold of Ryder's hand and asked if he too could have a go on the skateboard.

I explained to him that this one was probably a little big but I had just thing for him inside.

"Look, this is just your size Ollie, Hester sent it to me, wasn't that nice of her".  She didn't realise I already had one, but I knew just who these little skateboards would be perfect for....Claudius (who is busy with Rory somewhere) and Ollie.

Really do you think I could go on this?  Ollie looks to Ryder for reassurance.

Of course you can Ollie, I'll help you.  Ryder says to Ollie.

Ryder helps Ollie on the skateboard and I hold his hand as well.

We let go....

Look Ollie - no hands!

That's it you can do it!

Ollie is thrilled that he has managed to stand up on the skateboard...but then suddenly has the wobbles...

I grab hold of him to help him balance before letting go again.

Wow!  Look at you!  I cheer while Ryder hops on the skateboard to show Ollie what to do.

Ollie turns to watch Ryder, unsure if he can really do the sorts of things the big boys do

but willing to give a go.

What a star!   I say to Ollie.  Just as Ollie loses his balance....uh oh...

Ollie decides sitting on the skateboard is safer.  We tell him that he did really well for his first go.

Thank you Hester for the wonderful little skateboards - I am sure Ollie will be showing Claudius what he can do next and I can imagine Claudius wanting a turn as well, so good thing there are two!