What do Axoloti, Blob Fish and Komodo Dragons have in common?

Why we should never stop learning

Hello and welcome!

It’s been another hot, sultry weekend here in the UK, with sheets being kicked off at night and windows flung open, in the hope of tempting a soft breeze to assuage the stifling heat.

When my husband and I were asked to have two of our grandchildren for a sleepover, I happily agreed, but with a little trepidation. I don’t see them very often, as they live on the other side of the country, so I thought it would be an opportunity to spend quality time with them. But what on earth would I do with them? Play in the garden? Bake some cookies? I need not have worried.

Prior to their arrival, I had planned an evening meal of chicken goujons (homemade, of course), baked potatoes and peas with freshly baked banana bread with ice-cream to follow. Apparently, I couldn’t have picked a better menu if I tried - pure luck on my part! It all went down a treat and before we knew it, bath-time came and went and it was time for bed.

I ‘tested out’ three children’s stories that I had written and asked them to choose their favourite. It was wonderful to see their reactions and a pleasure to read to children who enjoy being read to, and they hung on my every word. When it was time for me to leave them alone to drop off to sleep, they listened to their Tonibox and had a whole collection of stories to listen to. I was envious and wished I had had one of those magical machines when I was a child.