The hooded claw

All ready for the off... at the port in Newcastle

On our way to Amsterdam for an Easter break, the kids get a magazine to help pass the journey. They all come with a plastic toy. Matthew gets a bow and arrow, Hannah gets a phone and Cam gets a metallic looking gripping claw hand. He puts it up his sleeve and grips the handlebars with it as we ride onto the ferry. It's a strange sight, like some poor child with an artificial hand and we get more than the usual amount of sympathetic looks, especially when he waves his claw at passers by. I think it will have to go - we are freak show enough already, although hopefully we will blend in more in Holland without the Hooded Claw.