On Sunday morning, I took Miles on top of a mound and we practiced the downhill with his like-a-bike; the first bit of the descent is the steepest, a bit like most black runs. I walked down halfway; Miles looked at me with a daredevil look, got hold of the grips and flung himself down the slope. I was slightly apprehensive: would he keep hold of the bike? No problems, and his smile at the end revealed his excitement: “Let’s do it again!” And again and again; it was so much fun that after a few runs he decided to take boots and socks off, and feel the wet grass on his feet.

Later in the day, the playground attendant closed the gate at 18:00 but Miles wasn’t ready to go home; another father was in the same situation and suggested that his son, who had left his like-a-bike at home, chase Miles on his bike in the nearby park. And as they light was fading, the two children were running and riding across the field, through the bushes, skirting the flower beds…

The next day, I received this e-mail:

Albie was being a bit clingy when I dropped him off [at kindergarten] this morning, but then he saw Miles is now in his class and cheered up – Miles gave a huge grin and got up from what he was doing and came runnning across the room, going eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee – I think he was remembering yesterday!