I think DS1 is in the Guardian ...

[NotQuiteCockney]

I say 'I think' because it's the "All ears" thing, which is an overheard conversation. It really sounds like him, the description matches, and I spoke to the other person in the conversation, and she thinks it's him ...

All very strange.

Just posting to add - this is DS1! My neighbour (the "pompous granny" of the article) wrote to the journo to ask!

I always thought those overheard bits were made up....

Well, this one cetainly wasn't!

that is a pricelss convo

your neighbour sounds superb as dioes ds

My neighbour is superb. She's so patient with the kids.

PMSL!

How great!

Oh that sounds like your ds1 all right NQC! Fab

"Well, you might like them, but I'm not sure the dinosaurs would understand that you were their friend, they might think you looked rather appetising."

love it

sounds just like the kind of thing I would say

That quote, Enid, is exactly what made me sure it was my neighbour. I can hear it entirely in her voice.

She's a biologist, works at the Natural History Museum. We are so spoiled, she takes DS1 into school every morning.

When ds was this age his riposte to any perceived threat from dinosaurs (what is it with velociraptors in particular, we did't have them in my day) was that he would axe them with his axe. I love the illogical fearlessness of the small child. He has moved on to dealing with peril by use of readily available home-made bombs, apparently . Alex Rider has much to answer for.

So that is why I don't see you on your travels currently NQC

Ah, I think DS1 is still on axes. He's younger than your DS, though.

I do all the pick ups (on the giant bike), and I do drop offs once in a while - there are three next week, but I've only done two or three since Xmas.

DS2 and I have been hanging out at the Barbican some these days, although no where near as much as the glory days of the Ball Thing.

This has really made me smile.
NotQuiteCockney my DS 4yrs and yours would have a ball,
We often have conversations like that.

How old is he?

How fantastic - I read this in the Guide last week and it was one of my favourites since I started my "All Ears" obsession.

TBH I always thought he made them up - I can't tell you how happy you've made me to find out they're real .

I love this column, too - I should look for the collection they've done.

I was always sure they were real, I'm happy to have it confirmed.

Babyramone, he's 6 now. He was either 5 or 6 when they heard this conversation. He's not mad for dinos any more, it's all about Romans now ...