FIZZLING FIREBOXES!

They’re two, they’re four, they’re six, they’re eight, shunting prams and hauling grapes…

The look on every parents’ face. A subtle blend of excitement, awe and what the hell have we got ourselves into? Bleary-eyes and yawns all round. Unspoken nods between Dads that said, ‘Yep, we too rose at the crack of dawn, dressed our kid in their Thomas kit, packed their Thomas backpack with all their Thomas toys and chuffed our way to Emerald just to meet…(you guessed it)…

Thomas the Tank Engine

But the look on Indy’s face was worth every effort to get down there and pit them face-to-face. We’d booked our tickets early (like, 1973), and so glad we did. To hear his ‘ooh-ooh-oohs’ and watch his happy dance as Thomas chuffed into view, it’s like he couldn’t believe his own little eyes. And getting to ride the train as Thomas chuffed us along was a new and exciting experience (for both of us!). I’ve never ridden a steam train before either. And I know Thomas is for kids, but seeing him there in full scale, steam chuffing, even I felt a bit star-struck (as I’m sure every other Dad was, too).

Indy spent most of the ride with his head out the window, like a dog, enjoying the freedom of the wind in his hair (lucky him). Not so lucky for the passengers downwind from us, copping all the dog-drool.

Following the train ride was the lamest bestest pantomime I’ve Indy’s ever seen. It was hodge-podge at best, but Shakespeare to them. Fumbling over lines, audio fading in and out, wondering if Sir Topham Hatt was searching for his next line or his heart medication? It cracks me up at the end when amateur dramatists introduce and congratulate each other like they were Sir Lawrence Olivier. ‘The incredible and absolutely amazing…so’n’so.’ I’d much prefer to see a bit more honesty such as, ‘the only-just-adequate’ or ‘the-barely-audible’ or even ‘because he fit the costume’, at least then there would be some genuine gafaws from the audience.

To be fair, full credit to them for continuing their love of performance at such a mature age. It’s good to keep busy. And as Mumma gently reminded me, it’s not for you, it’s for the kids.

All up, it was a really tremendous day and I thoroughly recommend taking your kids along if they’re young or old enough to appreciate who Thomas is. And making my boy happy makes me feel like a really useful engine. Toot-toot! 😉

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