Until now, Heidi’s taste buds have been whetted by a mixture of breast and formula milk, though today she had a more cultural experience. We took her to Delamore House, Cornwood which is not far from Plymouth where there was an arts festival, concentrating on sculptures.

We took Fred a couple of years ago, and the house is great, and set in lovely grounds which seem to specialise in magnolia trees.

It is only open for one month a year to show the exhibition and we have been a number of times. It is nice to be able to come back and see the same old people running it, with a few subtle changes each year.

The papoose came out which Heidi settled into and she awoke a few times, with the warm sun on her little wispy head.

Afterwards we drove the short distance to Tavistock where we had a picnic by the river (R. Tavy) that runs through the market/stannary town and was actually quite a nice feast. Heidi waited until we had finished, and then topped up with some milk. She drew a lot of comments as she glugged from families passing by.

As it was a hot day we dispensed with coats although Heidi had her rain cover safely stowed under her and we wandered around the town. Soon it was dark and thunder-rain pelted down causing flooding. With no coats, we took shelter in the shop entrance waiting until it had passed. Unfortunately, it got heavier and so I decided to take the 15 minute walk back to the car, leaving the girls under the arch until I returned With no coat I found the picnic blanket underneath the pram which I had brought along, and so used this as a cape as I ran back along the streets.

Eventually I returned and we all got back in drove home through flood water with all the windows steamed up.

Heidi had a good evening of cuddles from mum and dad, and I hope went off to bed in her Moses basket a wiser and happier infant.