Where I am reminded of the importance of play . . .

This week we explored the newly refurbished play area near our home.
Of course I took my camera with me! There were so many great colours and shapes, I was soon snapping away and came back with loads of pictures.

I resisted the urge to play on most of the things but the seesaw got the better of me, I was soon giggling away as I soared into the air. It was great fun and surprisingly high! Joe was on the other end and as he was heavier I felt I was going to be launched into orbit every time I went up.

"To play is to yield oneself to a kind of magic." - Hugo Rahner

The blue swing below is almost like a hammock, Joe tried it but as the park was filling up with little children, I thought I had better give up my turn. :-) Though from the look of it, I am sure it would have been a favourite! I quite fancy one of those in my garden!

They didn't have anything like that when I was young, as a child I always loved roundabouts and slides best. What was your favourite?

Being on the seesaw reminded me of the rhyme - 'see saw, marjorie daw. johnny shall have a new master... ' Did you sing that too?

Here's the lovely big swing, complete with its wonderful shadows. . .

As well as looking comfortable, it looks really interesting too. . .

Especially against the rubber matting beneath it
(eventually the grass will grow through that.)

I wasn't brave enough for the climbing frame!
But it looked fantastic against the blue sky.

Almost like some sort of monument!

Some more interesting shapes. . .

. . . and shadows.

Meanwhile back in my garden. . .

A certain adorable golden cat with a striped tail - A.K.A. Sammy, has taken to climbing the lilac bush and making his getaway over the fence.

Now you need some background here. Our cats have never roamed free and are usually content to laze around in their outdoor cat run, or roam the garden. (When they are not curled up on cushion indoors of course.) And both Bina and Mitz never exhibit any urge to see beyond the fence and hedge, but Sammy? well occasionally his naturally curious nature takes him too far, then suddenly he is somewhere unfamiliar and we have to find and rescue him.

It is not a good idea for him to get out, as there are three working lurchers living next door! and he has no experience out there! or any fear of cars or dogs. He has led a very sheltered life.

But we don't want to have to confine him to the cat run and indoors. So Joe jumps into action!...
With his pump action water gun! (bought specifically for this purpose of course.) LOL.

There are only two places that Sammy can get out if he really tries. So Joe watches and as soon as he goes near either of those areas, the water cannon shoots a jet of water against the fence just where he is going to go....and he runs! Terrified that the 'fence' is going to get him.

After a few goes at this and the resultant wet fur, he carefully avoids the areas and the problem is solved for another year. Periodically we will have to go through this whole procedure again, but it always works! (and secretly I think Joe rather enjoys patrolling with his water pistol!)

"You've got to keep the child alive; you can't create without it." - Joni Mitchell

Now do any of you remember this photo from back in May?

If you would like to read what happened to this little seedling
then read this blog post I wrote this week. . .
*Growing Where You Are Planted*

Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have had a good week. x

Thought of the week

"Live and work but do not forget to play,
to have fun in life and really enjoy it."
- Eileen Caddy

I am linking this post to week 46 of I Saw Sunday - Why not come and join us?

All images and words - Susannah Bec