Off on a walk today.

We'll await your return with interest - wonder who you'll come across today!

H Riverwalk

I know some people who I worked with in London are going to be there.
We may all have a meal somewhere but I do not think it will be in a pub as they will have children with them.
Probably the Social Workers will want to snatch the chldren. After all is it right that 2 little girls are being looked after by grandad.

Frank

Frank - look out for those pesky social workers! You can spot them a mile off

Enjoy your day

Not if they spot him first!

Sounds a lovely way to spend the day.

If the social workers see me they may complain I am spending money on my granddaughters rather than keeping it for myself.

I withdrew £100 from my bank account yesterday and most of it may be spent by tonight.

I will have a soft drink with the children as I will be driving and I will be having a coffee.

The grandchildren tend to go for tea more but they sometimes like half a cup of coffee each.

I am not being tight but that is all they will drink.

Frank

Gosh the poor old Social Worker is getting a hammering here. There are some inept Social Workers who make huge mistakes. However, the majority of them work under very difficult circimstances with very difficult cases. They often work long hours without overtime, are hamstrung in what they'd like to do due to some of the draconian rules laid down by Governments. They rescue children from dreadful homes, help abused and beaten women find a safe place to live with their children. If you can think of a better method to deal with Society do enlighten us. There are bad apples in every profession, some have a worse affect on people then others. It's very 'Daily Mail' to put all Social Workers in a bad light.

It's ok dorset just joking. It kind of follows on from Frank's earlier thread about social workers. And thank you for the vote of confidence in social workers -sorely needed. (I am one, though I don't like to admit it)

Oh dear! Coffee! Isn't it dangerous to ply children with caffeine? Must ask a social worker next time I see one.

.......(puts arm round anno's shoulder)......come away anno - he'll have some shaggy dog story about social workers being seen taking children into Starbucks. Here, sit down and have a cup of tea till the urge to challenge him wears off!

Thanks when. I've just finished my morning bucket of tea and now feel quite calm. Have some things to prune in the garden today and that always makes me feel satisfied.

Anno, I hope it was Tetley Red Bush?

Later, Ella. I drink Ceylon at breakfast time and redbush the rest of the day. Sometimes a nice cup of Earl Grey for afternoon tea. I drink my tea so weak that I doubt if the caffeine content even registers!

Well I did not come across any Social Workers as far as I am aware today.
We had a very enjoyable day and the bill came to well within the £100 I was expecting.
I will probably take my granddaughters out again later in the week. I fancy a walk around the new part of Birmingham near the canals although not too close as I do not want my granddaughters to fall in.
There may be a risk we will meet a Social Worker around there.
I am sure we will find somewhere to eat but I know most of the eating places are pubs.

Any recomendations?.

Frank

Frank you do make me laugh. I would be a bit scared if I met you near the canals in case your dislike of social workers got the better of you. Do tell me, do you know all the social workers in your local area or can you just recognise a social worker when you see one?

I wonder Frank if you can recognise an ex social worker? Or just those who are currently employed in the role?

Hi Nightowl

I only know 4 Social Workers or may be Care Assessors in my present area.
There may be more who know me as I think my name may be mud to them.
O'h I know 1 in London.

Frank

You can take children into pubs which serve meals can't you? I'm sure I have. If its not too cold we like sitting outside with fish n chips. Yesterday we had our first picnic of the year in a lovely national trust garden. Kids had great time eating their sandwiches half way up a tree.

Suzied... I hope you did a risk assesment before you allowed those children to climb the tree.

Hi Suzied

I have now spoken to somebody and they have said there is a Weatherspoons pub in Broad Street which has a family area and there are a few restaurants / cafe's just off Broad Street although they did not note the names.
I will ask somebody when I get there if I do not spot a cafe / restaurant easily.
I know there is a Sainsbury's Local so I could get some sanwages etc so they will not starve and I know of Several Cafes in the New Street area which is only about 10 minutes walk away.
I may however change my mind and take them somewhere else if it is warm.
Lichfield or Tamworth is another possibility and I know where there are cafe's / restaurants.

Frank

I have noticed Sherwood Forest is advertised as a free Half Term Activity on MSN.
That could be another good place to visit but it may be best to go tomorrow according to the forecast.

Frank

To-day I am off on The Ferry over to Liverpool with youngest two DGCs and visiting The Life Museum where they will be joining craft classes and looking at all the species of "bugs" (silent scream) we are also going into the two Catherdrals so we will have a nice time for free I take a packed lunch and fresh juice so no caffeine for my DGCs.At 4.30 HMS Illustrious goes out from the Pier Head after a visit to Liverpool and youngest DGS is bursting at the seams in anticipation,I'll just watch the sailors on deck that will brighten up my day

glamma, that's what I call a good day out. You'll be exhausted though and so will the GC. As for those sailors...

Have a lovely day, glamma! It all sounds great.