Edward's First Step

Edward took his first unaided step (yes, singular) today while we were at a neighbour's (Joka's) having afternoon coffee.

A bit of background. Last week I was walking with Edward to the local Boni supermarket (the one that smells of rotting fruit and veg) when I actually saw another inmate of the village. She was out on the pavement weeding her hedge. She saw us and commented on Edward (in Dutch). I explained that I speak English and she told me that she was learning English at the local old people's home, which is next door to her house & at the end of our street.

I ended up inviting her to have coffee at our house (last Friday) & that went quite well, despite me deciding to cook a banana cake (yes, me who can count on one hand the number of cakes ever cooked), which unfortunately was a complete disaster. It collapsed in the middle when I took it out of the oven & was basically not cooked. Nevertheless I did serve the poor lady a 'slice' (well it was a crumbly, doughy bit)... which she bravely ate.

I cooked the ruddy thing for another hour after Joka left and then it was actually quite nice.

Anyway, this afternoon at 3pm Edward and I were invited to have reciprocal coffee at Joka's. It was nice & she is a nice woman. In her 70s, husband died a few years ago, lovely garden. Edward had a great time exploring her house - she has a sittingroom full of pot plants, ornaments, little tables etc.

So Edward's first step was taken as he proceeded from inspecting Joka's coffee table, to the sofa where I was sitting. He was on a mission to reach a biscuit I was holding, so I am assuming that his first step was motivated by his tummy. That's my darling!