Not Staying In. Going Out

Before the Tubblet was born, Friday and Saturday nights used to be for going out.  Followed by postmortems with friends about whatever happened the night before.  And vowing never to do it again.  Until next week.  (Like the cartoon above.  From the long gone London Paper).

Sunday nights were for the Evening Service.  Never the morning.  Too tired and hungover.  And for getting ready for work.  Checking you had one work outfit that was clean and ironed and a packed bag with the train pass in it.

Eleven years after the Tubblet arrived, Rev T and I spend alot of time Not Going Out.  Moaning that the weekend TV is crap.  The Tubblet's social life is much better than ours - Guides, swimming, parties, play dates ... 

There are a number of reasons for this:

• Sunday is a work day for Rev T so you can't stay up too late.  A weekend away means taking a day off.  There are only so many days off. 
• The Tubblet is still too young to be left alone for long periods of time.
• We don't have family near.
• Finding a reliable babysitter is like searching for the Holy Grail.  You know they're out there somewhere but ... Babysitting adds £15 - £20 to the cost of an evening.  There are people at church who will sit for us, but we try not to impose.

But this week will be different.  This week the Tubblet is on the Year 6 week away in Wales. Her first holiday without family.  Not her first time away.  She's stayed with grandparents on her own.  

Whilst she's having a great time doing water activities, rock climbing etc, we're going out!  At night! On our own!  

In between missing her!  The house isn't quite the same.  It's oh so quiet ... Oh so still ... It's a bit weird.  

We're determined to "squeeze the last drop of mischief out of the night".  (Ned and the Joybaloo - Hiawyn Oram.  I love that book!).  After work, we're going to the cinema; meeting in London AND going to the pub!  The pub that doesn't allow children!

We solemnly swear that we'll be up to no good whilst we're out.  And back by 11pm as we've both got work the next day. 

Um ... I am astonished and humbled at the lovely comments on my blogging post earlier in the week. I half expected the Internet to hand me my ar*e on a plate as I've been blogging for such a short time. Thank you all so much!   

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