Muddy Boots

 Well the day finally came when the planets aligned, and we were all free and the weather wasn't too bad. So seemed like a good day to try going at as a family - I have only been out by myself until today.

My wife was very concerned that our boys would not be keen to be seen out with me, although I think that was perhaps her projecting own feelings on the matter to them. She had a bit of a cry about it when I was checking if she really was OK to go out - but she agreed without any real persuasion.

Initially we were looking at Renishaw Hall & Gardens, as we've never been there before, it looks nice, and it's suitably far away that we were unlikely to bump into anyone we knew.

My wife was concerned it would upset me if she had to pretend I was just a friend if we did see someone, but I honestly didn't mind, if that is what she needs to do, I would be fine with it.

Unfortunately it's not open until late march, so we went to Temple Newsam near Leeds instead - big set of grounds, big old house, and a farm you can wonder around and look at animals.

https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/temple-newsam/visit/

We had been a few times before, so known territory. We didn't see anyone we knew.

It was fairly windy, I was a bit concerned that my wig was being blown everywhere, not so much that it would move or come off, more that my actual hair underneath would become visible.

Not particularly fetching photo, more to show the wind, my eldest took it, he managed to cut my feet off. 

We went into the cafe, and had a drink and some food inside, I had a look around the gift shop to see if there were any beanie hats which may help with the hair issue, but nothing, so had to put up with eating hair for the rest of the day.

We wondered around the farm for a while, then grabbed an ice cream - it was pretty cold, so obviously the boys wanted one......

Nobody gave me any funny looks, or said anything, it was all very positive and a confidence boost. 

I asked my wife for her thoughts on the way back in the car, and she said it didn't feel weird being out with me like this. I asked if it was better or worse than she expected, but she said she didn't know what to expect.

When we got home I asked if everyone would be happy to go out again sometime, and everyone seemed happy :)

I think I actually look happy in this one ! Fluke probably

Oh and I also finally wore my new black boots, and christened them with some cow muck:

I really am going to have to buy some more warm dresses, I'm getting my moneys worth out of my grey one.

Oh and my verdict on peelable nail varnish - it's good, but it doesn't last that long. It's really easy to peel off, but also easy to damage. It seems to go on easier than normal stuff though, and if you go over onto your skin you can scrape it off really easily.

It won't survive a bath though.