Withdrawal Symptoms

Wednesday 15/8/07 Withdrawal Symptoms.

Robbie was suffering withdrawal symptoms - from trains, he must have told me 8 or 9 times yesterday that it was 6 whole days since he last travelled on a train! I let him think that he was getting his own way, but actually it was the poor weather forecast that made me think it would be a good idea to go to Norwich by train today. North Walsham to Norwich is not a bad journey by train if you can cope with the embarrassment - Robbie does tend to draw attention to himself! This morning he was dressed in purple Dr Martin boots, jeans, his Ordinary Boys T shirt and a light weight coat that looked like Paddington Bear's summer uniform. If that wasn't eye catching enough he stood there on the platform in the rain with his bright orange notebook jotting down the unit numbers and details. I chose that moment to pretend that I was invisible, or at the very least to pretend that I was travelling alone.

It was a good day in Norwich, the heavy rain didn't materialise and for most of the day it was lovely sunshine. We were able to visit all our favourite shops, for me that was Waterstones and Hawkins Bazaar while Robbie couldn't resist a foray into Marks and Spencers, I don't think he has worked out yet that they sell the same stuff in every M&S - or maybe he leads a double life as a mystery shopper! Sam visited his favourite haunts too, he bought a couple of new T shirts - and of course he had to wear one as soon as we got home! Robbie struggled back to the train carrying the equivalent of his body weight in railway magazines - a special treat because we are on holiday. He doesn't know it yet, but when we get home there has to be some serious recycling because magazines are taking over the house.