< ![CDATA[  The long anticipated day dawned grey and wet. We were “stealth camped” (a.k.a. free camped, or “hid out”) behind a bank of trees in a nicely mown straw field, just over the bridge from a lovely little town. Out of sight. I awoke with the migraine to end all migraines. Daddy awoke with a back ache. Meg awoke exhausted, having lain awake worried about intruders all night. Ezra awoke a little too cheerful for his own good. Happy Birthday. Presents were opened with great joy: From Hannah, a purple ball with rainbow colored streamers, from Gabriel, a plastic lizard and a little car. From the whole family: new sunglasses, a waterproof Uno game, a watch with fish on the red plastic band (analog, of course!) and a bright red satin cape with a golden “Z” appliqued on the back. His “Super Z” outfit for cycling. He could not have been happier. We all sang and tried hard to be happy for his birthday while wishing desperately for a car to ride in for one day. Ugh. The day proved long for everyone over twelve. It rained, of course. Mama took a big fat humble bumble bee in the eye at full speed on the bike... which added more fun to the migraine and necessitated riding about two miles with only the right eye open. Meg found this funny; sadist that she is. You’ll be happy to know that we did make it to Bamberg eventually, only to find that our campsite did not exist. Again. Fortunately, another did... up a huge hill, down the huge hill, and back about five miles the way we’d already come. Par for the course. We even found a cheerful little elephant cake to sing over, one more time, and the six year old son went to bed fat and happy. The grown-ups polished off a litre and a half of sangria and we went to bed fat and happy too. Good sleep was had by all. This morning dawned sunnier on all fronts... not just the weather. The kids have had a pre-breakfast romp on the campsite trampoline and have fed the pernicious ducks. Mom has had her tea. “Bloat-meal” has been had by all. We’re off to a good start. The children decided this morning that they would change Ezra’s indian name. For several years he’s been affectionately (and accurately) known as “Screaming Buffalo.” After visiting the Barker home, he’s been renamed “Spotted Brother.” How did this come about? Quite subtly, actually. Little Brynn was cooking play-doh at her kitchen set with Elisha, “Where is your spotted brother?” She asked. “Who?” “Your spotted brother...” She meant Ezra, with his chocolate freckles sprinkled across his nose. The spotted brother. Perfect.]]>