Great days out in the rain no.947

I'm sure it only ever pours down when we go off on a trip somewhere. This time we set off up north to Edinburgh - yes, I know it's even colder than Newcastle, but this was a birthday surprise for the other half. Not sure he'd have been too surprised with a day out three miles away.

Anyway, things to do in the rain with a small child:

East Coast Main Line: actually getting there on the train was entertaining. Although I'm not sure the rest of the carriage enjoyed the 55th rendition of Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat as much as I did (M is still in her Andrew Lloyd Webber phase, but seems to have moved on from Joseph. Although the "Joseph Man's" signed picture still has pride of place above her bed. But I digress.)

Camera Obscura: M hated the camera itself (to be fair, it was a pretty gloomy day, and you couldn't see an awful lot), but the rest of the building is full of excitement like plasma spheres, mirrors that turn your head into Marge Simpson's, and very odd holograms (giant tarantula, anyone?)

Museum of Childhood: lots of things to play with, as you might expect. And the very Dick Bruna frieze from 1973 that M has in her bedroom on the wall. Although bizarrely theirs has W for Walrus, whereas mine is W for Whale.

Shop: lots of nice ones on Cockburn Street, with some rather funky Highland Coos to play with (and not buy, as we risk being buried under an avalanche of small furry creatures as it is).

Eat pizza: although preferably not at La Rusticana, which was pretty overpriced.

After all that we collapsed in an exhausted heap on the train home. Except for the two-year-old, who was still going strong at 9pm....

Joseph's coat was elegant the cut was fine

Well what else can you do when your soon-to-be-two-year-old has an obsession with Joseph and the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and said she'd like a 'big cake' for her birthday?

(sorry, picture from mobile phone so a bit duff)

Go go go Joseph

Tuesday afternoon

Bored two-year-old prowls the living room. Suggest drawing pictures to keep her quiet for 10 minutes while I have a cup of tea. Get crayons out, small child decides to create a picture of 'the Joseph man' (curly black hair, multicoloured coat, big smile - every colour in the crayon box used). Cup of tea drunk, I label the aforementioned features, and have a bright idea.

Half an hour later

Picture encased in an envelope (small child beside herself at the thought of sticking stamps on), together with an SAE. Placed in the back of the tricycle with Ballerina Bear for the trip to the post box, 200 yards away. Twenty minutes later, operation complete.

Thursday morning

Suspiciously familiar envelope arrives through the door, bearing a signed photo of the lovely Lee Mead in his Joseph outfit. Small child runs round the living room shouting 'he's wearing a dreamcoat. It's got buttons!' Quite.

Thursday afternoon

Yet more requests to watch the 'coat song'. My 10-minute amusement strategy might have backfired somewhat.