Sat alone in the beer garden of the Fox and Hounds by the River Tees we allowed Bethany to roam freely and she was happy enough to crawl to other tables - the furthest she has moved away from us. When we arrived the beer garden was full with other children playing on the swings and slide. By the time we climbed the bank and walked along the river for a while before returning everybody had gone so we had free rein for a while to let her explore. The bank proved a little too steep for her as she attempted to reach Alison at the top but took a tumble a little way up before I caught her. Overall she seemed happy enough but we couldn't stop fretting at every object she paused at ready to put it in her mouth.
   On a different (yet unsurprisingly football related note) one of the critics of Mikel Arteta's theoretical selection for England appears to be Mark Lawrenson. I did not hear him quote directly but only third party via his BBC colleagues but if true seems to be slightly ironic that the man from Lancashire who played for the Republic of Ireland should complain about a Spaniard playing for England.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/8934261.stm