Adventure playground mystery tour

Take a bunch of adults (all over 40, so supposedly mature) and put them in an adventure playground and what do they do? Cllr Paul Lynch, current lead member for Children's Services in Hounslow, swinging. No, not that kind.

Rolling up at the Haywood in north London we found ourselves waiting on the wrong side of a 10 foot fence.

"Well this looks high, but I know a child with autism who could get over this," I mused. Cue Robin, well over six feet tall and definitely under 40 years of age striding across the park, rubbing his eyes and talking into a mobile.

"Sorry I'm late," he said. "Been up half the night waiting to hear about a boy with autism who'd got over the fence and run." He had a history of it, apparently, and been found one time somewhere in south London, having taken a bus there, they thought. The boy was home.

Ant & Dec in Brentford

Okay, this is supposed to be about PiT, but sometimes real life takes over...

Declan Donnelly and my three at Griffin Park today. Ant was in goal. Ben Shepherd from GMTV was slightly taken aback to be considered old enough for a place in the 'Vets' team.

And it was such a nice early summer day that we 'christened' the paddling pool in the morning.

One year older

Now that's what I call a cake...

My dear son was fifteen years old on Wednesday. Celebrated with a small family party and the ceremonial unwrapping of this year's paddling pool. Far too cold to even get the pool out of the box, but it is a long tradition that number one son's birthday presents include a new pool.

And the pressure to produce a cake, I can't tell you. Non-verbal son had indicated to his teacher last year that the best bit about his birthday had been the cake and she'd phoned me in excitement at this breakthrough in communication. Added to which Grandma had spent the weekend reminding him how marvellous it had been. Thanks for that.

Having been on a gluten and dairy free diet for the past seven years popping down to M&S just isn't an option. Antoinette Savill's Passion Cake was whisked up late Tuesday. What a trip down memory lane! Remember when carrot cake just melted in the mouth? Well there you have it - make the cake yourself, and no hint of that slightly claggy aftertaste with the usual gluten-free stuff. Have to say though, I think I've peaked.

Quote of the day: my five year old bursting over with laughter, "Look everyone! Grandma's wearing Clark's"