Heidi and her mum have headed up to the hills today, as Rachel has her woodcarving class tonight. Gran will look after Heidi in her absence so everyone is happy.

TRhis gives me a chance to have long long bath and listen to the Archers omnibus, as I have lost track with the ramblings of Ambridge recently. It means that I can switch on the wireless access for the laptop (not a radio.....) and so hear the programmes on R4's "Listen Again" facility.

Wireless is switched off in our house now, as we are suspicious of any cancer-causing things. A friend of mine installs these systems and he can detect when they are on and when they are off, through a feint buzzing in his head. Useful to check if something is working, but a bit scary nonetheless. Plus when the thing was on for a very short while, Rachel used to feel sick all of the time at home. No such thing when she stayed up with her mum and dad where there is not any wireless in the house.

Morning sickness it could have been, but after 13 weeks Rachel started to feel alot better and the morning sickness had gone. Whilst she was away one day I switched the wireless back on and forgot to switch it off although Rachel assumed it had been switched off for the last few weeks. Strangley she felt sick again and I sneaked in the office to switch it back off again.....

Did not want to take the chance so the wireless router stays as a fixed line one now, and is only used rarely by just me in the house.

I found a picture of her 20 week scan today and it is on here. A nice profile shot her although we did not know who we were to blessed with at the time.

Today we strayed in to a place where I hoped Heidi would not visit for a long long while yet. To the drug-crazed wailing of Amy Winebox we sat down amongst grey-faced people chomping rhythmically, and at times in unison. Children were being subliminally brain-washed by free Disney figurines with their meal…. We were of course, in McDonalds.

We had travelled to Exeter to look at some furniture but the shop was not yet open, and Rachel needed the loo. Not much else was on the industrial estate, so we went to McDonalds for a coffee. My tummy was rumbling after a small bowl of cereal much earlier so I succumbed to an 89 pence burger and some fries. The coffee was nice though; nice and strong.

We did what we had to do in Exeter and headed back to Paignton to take a look around a car boot sale. Some friends of Rachel’s were selling some stuff there so we paid our 50p to get in, and joined the throng of people out in the sun. We met up with them a bit later. Not a lot of stuff for us this week, but we shall come again I guess. Bargains to be had here.

Mum and dad saw Heidi get another feed and cuddle and then we headed home. The barbecue was refilled with new lava rock (half price today in Sainsbury’s) whilst Heidi slept on, oblivious to the lawn mower being operated by Rachel.

Emily and Charlotte popped by to borrow one of my spare mobile phones. She does take note of visitors I think, and becomes more animated with them if she is not tired. A few more smiles today too.

It has gone awfully quiet whilst I am typing this, and I realise that Radio 4 has been re-tuned to some independent music station in the bathroom, for Heidi’s benefit, and she is having a soak.

Having been away for a couple of days to party on the Moor, she returned yesterday a little rounder than when she left. Sally’s party was followed by Gran’s, and so she also benefitted from peoples generosity as well.

Heidi had her visit to the doctors and health visitor today. Normal check up at six weeks to see how mum and baby are getting on. The health visitor checked her over and she is putting on weight quite happily by the look of it – 11lb 8oz this week.

This morning she was most smiley when I left her, on my way to work. The last few days have been hectic in the brain at work, but very little productivity - which is unusual for a sustained period.

Last night we had Simon and Hélène around for a quick barbecue. The weather was not too bad really other than we wore fleeces at one point. Heidi spent a long time having her cuddle with Hélène once back inside , and she responds really well now. Some fine wines were consumed.

Rachel and Heidi set off this morning to go to a party up on the Moor. I am working today and so they are staying for a day or two as it is Gran’s birthday tomorrow as well. I believe Heidi was in charge of the presents in the back of the car.

The weather is turning good again and so more frocks come out. Must be the party season.

Back from work I tuck into some very cold but nice cider and mow the lawn and do some weeding as it is nice. I can hear the peacocks from the zoo over the road, and hear the hornbills as well. No lions today as the wind is in the wrong direction I think. All rather summery.

On the washing line are a whole line of Heidi’s cloth nappies and I gather these in afold them up neatly, ready for her return.

Tonight is a stir fry and I have discovered allsorts in the fridge to throw in. All within date but means I can clear space for the next shop…..

More smiles today and she has started sharing them with others too. We popped around to see Claire and Wayne and she had a good hour long cuddle there.

After that was a bit of shopping and a return trip to Grandma and Grandads where more feeding took place.

There seems to be a national shortage of Farley’s First Milk at the moment, but we tracked some down in the end.

She wore a big floppy hat today that looked like a jam pot cover and she liked it.

She watched me fire up my home made fish smoker in the back garden. It worked rather well and so will be tweaked until I get it just right. The fish was perfectly done although a bit bony.

The “Power Pants” are back.

Heidi today had a bum big enough to take the reusable cotton nappies and took to them like a duck to water. Or at least I think she did as she did not complain.

Fred used reusable’s until he went into hospital and then we had to stop as chemo is rather toxic and appears in poo of course, so we did not use them at all after going there. You do save a lot on disposables but it is a choice thing and they are a little more work, but they seem to be good.

They do make her bum look big in things, but give her the edge over other backsides when out on the street.

In town today we bumped into Darren and Finlay. Darren we met in Bristol when his son was in there too, and they live only a few miles away and we have kept in touch ever since. Finlay is a few weeks older then Heidi so maybe they may meet up sometime soon….

Shopping was in a fug a drizzle (longest day?) and our attempts to get Farley’s First Milk was thwarted at Boots in Torquay and Paignton. Not sure what has happened to Boots as they do not seem to sell much and staff are thin on the ground. They have also recently dropped the “…The Chemist” from their name which may be a big clue.

Lidls comes to the rescue, and the Farley’s is £2.00 cheaper than SMA Gold. We did not change through price but tried it with some vouchers and it appears to be OK.

We are hoping to have an impromptu barbecue later on in the week with some friends and hope the weather will improve a bit.

Rachel has a few gatherings to go to next week too, so Heidi’s social calendar is getting full each week.

Over the last few days Heidi seems to have grown a little although still relishes in not synchronising her toilet-times with feed-times. Generally two hours apart during the night it can take its strain.

It is satisfying to give her bum a wash down though and go back into a new cool nappy and she loves it too.

The milk consumption is growing and she has started having a bit water too, in between. Fred used to have a very very diluted water/juice in the hot weather but we will have to see what the latest thinking is on such things. We cannot remember.

Yesterday, as I set off for work, she gave me a lovely smile. It lasted for a few seconds only and went back to a glare. Whatever they really are, they have only just started happening so must be something “new” in the developmental milestones. I’m happy with that.

Today saw me return from work to a heavy drizzle and found Heidi in the bath. She was most happy until moved to the (warm) towel where she grumbled loudly. A milk session followed and she was happy again.

She enjoys sitting in her armchair this time of night, looking at the garden where birds are eating worms and berries on the cotoneaster. It has various functions to vibrate and flash, playing Mozart to river sounds (the £8.00 bargain at the car boot) and gives her time to contemplate the day that has just gone by…..

Tomorrow heralds the start of the weekend and a busy week for all of us afterwards.

Heidi and Rachel were away for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night and returned this afternoon, batteries recharged or drained I am not sure which.

I came home to find that Heidi was just getting ready for a session in the tub and was nice to see a little plump infant in her pink night suit awaiting a cuddle from me.

She loves her bath times and does not comp-lain one bit, unlike Fred who did not like the water either at home or in the hospital. She will happily sit there, opening and closing her mouth listening to some din on the radio. Certainly not Radio 4, but it keeps her happy.

She received a pair of knitted bootees in the post from Kay, one of Rachel’s friends and at the moment she is wearing a pair of oversized Tigger slippers that Jamie at work gave us. Apparently girls never can have enough shoes….?

She slept well last night I hear (so did I after clearing up after my duck incident) so that is good news. I think she is around the time where they may start getting into a rhythm.

I did my duck last night, and as it is very fatty, it spat and smoked a bit too much in the oven. Taking the bowl out of the oven meant it sprayed all over the hob and the floor, so I tried to keep on top of that. I cleaned the floor down and a bit later knocked a bottle of oil out of the cupboard, which had a dodgy lid. I then have a slow gloop of oil coming out, so I throw the bottle into the garden, out of the back door.

I now need to scrub the oven as it is a mess and clean the floor for a second time.

I could not find any Chinese pancakes at the shops last evening, but located “Rice Flour Pancakes” at Morrison’s later in the evening. I had of course had to queue for petrol as well as I needed to replace the fuel I had used during Rachel’s absence. The last thing I wanted was for Rachel to eagerly get back into her car, only to find it was empty – as were the petrol stations.

Anyway, all ready to deal with my duck and crispy pancakes, I find these bloody pancakes are clear discs that need to be soaked first. I do this and find them to have the texture of phlegm, and be totally useless. Both packs go in the bin and I then fire up the wok for what actually turns out to be a tasty meal.

Rachel and Heidi are now resting in the living room watching television whilst I do this. It is good to have them home and Heidi really does get cuddlier each day.

The trouble with this weather is that it is lovely from 0500h to 0900h and then it clouds over and then goes all cold for the rest of the day. Heidi is seriously thinking about emigrating once her eardrums and nasal cavities have grown up I think.

This morning I had a bath in the early hours again, but nip back into bed for a quick nap. At this point Rachel exits, and goes down to clean the overnight bottles, sterilise them and then make up some new feeds for the day. Then she's up for a wash, she sets her breakfast, and so once "all clear" in the bathroom I shall clumsily emerge for the final applying of hair products and a shave.

In the middle of this process a present from Heidi arrives in the form of a large bag of assorted chewy lollies. Many I have not seen since I was a kid so she must be rather clever. I start devouring them later on in the afternoon.

Over to mum and dads for some breakfast (only for me as I did not get around to it.) Dad likes his present of a flight in the balloon so we will all head across to Torquay sometime soon, whilst Rachel and mum are at the ground, we will rise high above them.

I drive Rachel up to Chagford as she has a dental appointment tomorrow, and so is staying for a few days. Once she can drive again - because of her caesarean - things will be a little more straightforward. Rachel normally flits between here and Chagford, as we tend to sometimes do our own things, so it works very well. Heidi gets a change of scenery too, and I can go to the pub in the week without wondering whether chaos is breaking out back at home. Perfect.

A good lunch of roast beef is followed by a rainy drive back where I read the newspapers on the bed and pop across to see a friend of mine.

Today I built a timber DVD storage shelf which is needed here, and despite the crummy instructions, it now stands in the corner of the front room happily. A real bargain from Wilkinsons which has just opened in Torquay. In Bristol we used to shop there for allsorts through choice and necessity. Normally wearing a headscarf and dark glasses I would emerge but this one appears quite funky really.

I am awaiting my chicken pieces out of the oven as I type this and look forward to an early night, with little disruption and with my radio on. Rachel, I suspect will have a slightly busier next few hours…..

Today was always going to be a long day so we started early. Toasted teacakes in the sun were nice and we headed out for the big shop. Rachel needed to get some stuff for her mum and dad, as it is cheaper down here and we are going out anyway.

Later into town we go, and after paying some money into Heidi’s ever-growing savings account, we head to the pub next door, for a "2 for 1" lunch. We bump into Emily and Dawn as they are about to set off shopping too and have a chat outside.

We sit in our usual area and I see a friend whom I have not seen for ages, whilst ordering at the bar. The last time we saw Paula was in the Halifax bank next door (where we had just come from…) as we were then opening an account for Freddie, and Paula was nearly eight months pregnant then.

Today we met her daughter – Sophia – who is now nearly two and that was nice. Paula asked how Fred was keeping and so we told her. People react differently when we tell them, as they do not expect the reply we give them. She was visibly upset at the news, although we moved on to how chubby Heidi was becoming. It does make people think how fragile life and normality can be. Another couple arrived, friends of my mum and dad, and we all end up having a good old yap whilst Heidi gets on with her milk, with one eye craftily open.

By the time we come out it really is tipping down and again Heidi is the only one prepared. I have no coat though Rachel has a hood so we go our separate ways. I head to the butcher and she the fruit and veg shop.

We need to head across to Boots and Mothercare in Torquay and on the way I buy dad's Fathers Day present. It is a ticket on the HiFlyer balloon and so I buy one too. I forget that there is a concession for a senior citizen.

This morning I had got the slow cooker going, and a curry was brewing at home. We got in late afternoon and it was nice to be able to get tea ready in a short while, as Heidi got ready for her pit.

The curry turned out well and I had some sauce left over so that was frozen for the next meal.
There is not much on the television tonight again, as football is taking over. Hopefully it will be over soon, then Wimbledon will start crowding out my favourite programmes.

Rachel has been doing the ‘blog for the last few days and so I took a rest. On Monday I ate too much Lemon Chicken which I was experimenting with in the kitchen, but it was nice. Tuesday night saw me go down to the pub for the first time in ages for a beer with Mark. Wednesday it was a “mixed grill” of what I could find in the freezer.

Normally Mark and I will head to the Wetherspoons, as it is central to both of us and we can have some grub quickly and find a seat. Tuesday night however we went to The Ship in Preston which has just re-opened after a refurbishment. I tucked in to the 16oz gammon which was nice (no egg sadly) and Mark had the Tex-Mex Kickin’ Chicken or something equally as exotic. Very nice too.

The beer was good there but we did venture up the road the Old Manor and that was good too. Saw a friend in there which was good.

Today sees the last day of my first week back at work. I set off this morning giving Heidi and Rachel a kiss and head off into the sun. It is going to be a hot one again by the look of it and I fidget with the radio as I speed along the seafront in Rachel’s car.

Whilst I am serving the public as best I can, Rachel awaits the Midwife who is due sometime, but who just rings and suggests her notes be dropped off at the surgery. These are Rachel’s notes, and cover the operation and after-care records and so we copy them just in case.

The Health Visitor appears in the afternoon. Heidi is weighed and she is now 10lb 3oz which I guess is not bad. I do keep saying that the weight of the infant must not become the focus and I’m sure Dr Spock would agree. Or would he disagree I cannot remember now but Claire will know. Heidi is predominantly on formula milk now and so we have changed to Farleys, which she seems happy with.

Rachel and the Health Visitor discuss how much Heidi looks like Freddie did which is nice. This morning I gave Heidi a book by Johanna Spyri – aptly named “Heidi” of course. She is one month old today and I thought she might like a little keep sake on the anniversary of her birth.

I come home from work to find a strange pair of shoes by the front door, and am pleased that Emily has come around to give Heidi a cuddle and help feed. She has brought with her a little hat as gift which Heidi is most appreciative of. We sit and chat for a bit catching up on the latest gossip before Emily heads off to work.

Heidi has her ritual bath and is happy listening to the radio in the bathroom whilst she bathes. Trouble is, I shall be fidgeting with the slightly dodgy tuning tomorrow morning trying to bring it back to R4, from our local radio station setting.

She is fast asleep at the moment, listening to Big Brother drivel having just her “before bed” feed at 2130h. She should just wake by 0200h for another feed and a snack at 0530h by all accounts, and then 0900h for the Farmhouse Extra Breakfast…….

Just after 0400 this morning, Heidi woke again with the birds, but accompanied by rain. We had hoped for another dry and bright day today, but showers had returned and peering through the curtains proved me right. After her early morning feed and nappy change she returned to her Moses basket and lay awake looking around her and at me and listening to all the usual sounds from that time of the day.

I remembered, luckily, that the electricity was going to be switched off for a short period this morning as Western Power do some repair works in the village. So planned to military precision, I boiled the kettle and washed and sterilised the bottles just in case. I returned to bed where she was drifting off to sleep, the rain still pattering against the window.

0700 arrived and I showered and changed and went down for breakfast leaving her ladyship fast asleep. Half way through my bran flakes there was a cry and I then gathered that Gran must have said morning to her. I found Gran smiling at her over the Moses and informing me that Heidi was ready for a feed and change. I carried her downstairs, got her to smile at Grampy and gave her a bottle which she gulped down in one go and then gave an enormous burp much to everyone’s delight. I managed then to finish my, by now soggy, bran flakes and lukewarm tea whilst Gran took over the reins and I then washed up and did a few chores as Heidi was held in Gran’s hands looking at Grampy and looking very cute.

Today was exciting as a visit into the village brought an early birthday present for Gran – an exercise bicycle. Wendy and Kevin brought up the cycle to show her as they wanted to sell theirs and it was decided that Tim and myself would purchase it for her birthday as it was something she wanted. Heidi remained asleep in her pushchair totally oblivious.

She also met Linda for the first time. Linda and her husband Mike were in Bristol during Freddie’s last week there. Mike’s son, George, was in intensive care very ill at the time and we met on several occasions to exchange news. George passed away the week before Freddie. I remember speaking to Linda on my mobile in the garden outside of Freddie’s room in Exeter Hospital and realising that soon the time would come for us to say goodbye. We couldn’t have imagined that a year later there would be a little sister for him. As explained in yesterday’s blog, we are sure he comes to say hello sometimes. Those who knew Freddie will know the association with the butterfly.

I visited Freddie again today and tidied up his flowers and gave them some water. I had a chat to him and then returned to find Gran and Heidi who were emerging from the paper shop. I took over the reins and took Heidi to Bowdens to see Auntie Joyce who has been wanting to see Heidi but we kept missing each other. It is then home for some lunch (no soggy bran flakes hopefully).

The afternoon proved very quiet. I did Gran’s ironing whilst she gave Heidi more cuddles and pottered around the garden and listened to more bird song.

We had one visitor this afternoon. Sally came again to borrow the wheelbarrow and some timber from my woodstore to make a ramp for her “gardening activities” tomorrow. She found Heidi with her eyes wide open which she was pleased about and gave her another cuddle. Cuddle batteries now full.

Teatime arrives and so did Tim. We loaded up the car, had tea with Gran and then headed off home.

Today started much as yesterday with Heidi waking as the dawn chorus started outside. I fed and changed her and she then drifted back to sleep. I was woken by the telephone at 0715 and could hear Dad downstairs chatting. He is off to work today, cutting grass ready for silage. I grab a quick shower, change and catch him in the kitchen making his Thermos. By now Mum has emerged from upstairs and I manage to have breakfast before Heidi’s next feed.

Her trip downstairs to the kitchen is again met with jubilant greetings as her Gran and Grampy jockey for position to give her a kiss before her mouth becomes too milky. She guzzles down the feed and provides everyone with a big burp and then closes her eyes and snoozes in Gran’s arms whilst I wash the dishes and make her day’s feeds.

It then happened. But I missed it. I had just popped out into the garage with some rubbish and I heard a commotion coming from the house. She had apparently smiled at Grampy as he said cheerio to her as he was about to leave for work. Now I don’t know whether this was wind, but it made his day and he went off to work a very happy Grampy. Heidi is obviously taking after Freddie in the flirtation stacks.

Another visit into the village today meant more admiring glances. I strolled back to the house. The sun was still bright with a light breeze and all the birds chirping in the trees when a butterfly flapped by my ear. I turned to see which direction it went, but it was nowhere to be seen. For a few seconds time stood still and my skin developed goosebumps. Once again my thoughts ventured to Freddie – I am sure he is just saying hello to his Mum and his little sister.

We were due to visit Audrey today at the farm, but she warned me of a cough and cold that she had and we both decided it was not a good idea to venture out into the sticks today. Hopefully next week she will be better and then I can papoose Heidi on a walk around old haunts.

Heidi had a quite afternoon after yesterdays visits. We all had a siesta in the summerhouse in the garden. Sally popped down after work to see Heidi and hopefully get a glimpse of her with her eyes open, but in true Heidi style she remained asleep.

Later John and Helen from the bungalow opposite popped in and Heidi enjoyed a cuddle with Helen before it was time again for another rest. The afternoon soon turned into early evening and bathtime before settling down for the evening.

Day broke and we listened to the birds outside with their dawn chorus. Heidi was shuffling in her moses basket so it was milk time. I managed to prepare the bottle and change her nappy without a dawn chorus of her own to wake the house. She returned to her basket afterwards and we lay staring at each other. She produced a small smile and closed her eyes to continue her kip.

After a short snooze, soon it was 0700 and time for me to get up whilst Heidi slept on. I managed to get to the bathroom, shower and get ready for the day before she woke. Time for breakfast. I took the empty bottles downstairs from the night feeds and returned to the bedroom to find that Gran had got there first and was busy tickling Heidi. She was well and truly awake by now. I carried her downstairs as Gran led the way to the kitchen and proudly announced to Grampy that she was awake and looking for milk.

She soon settled down after the feed and slept again, fully contented, as I did various tasks.

Today is going to be a very busy day with lots of people seeing her for the first time. I choose a sun dress and matching hat. Her Gran noted the lack of knickers for Heidi, so the stripy ones from yesterdays outfit were brought into action. Another feed and then it was time to face Heidi’s public as we left for Chagford Square. We had only just left the house and a neighbour came bounding up the road for a glimpse of her ladyship in the pushchair, however she was asleep and by now the sun hat had covered her eyes. I lifted the brim and she blinked. That was the last we saw of her eyes all morning as she refused to open them and slept all the way through her visit into the village and 20 or so onlookers who now think she constantly sleeps.

We visited the Bullers Arms for a well earned coffee and met with Wendy, Doreen and Terry who were also eager to see her, but she remained asleep, much to Wendy’s annoyance as she wanted a cuddle. Better luck next time Wendy.

After a short rest stop, I gave handling instructions to Gran on the pushchair and particularly how to put on the brakes as I headed to the florist for some yellow carnations and then down to spend a few minutes with Fred. It was decided earlier that it was best I didn’t take Heidi down this time as it was a struggle during the last visit as I had to manoeuvre the pushchair, flowers and watering can down the hill and over the grass. Wendy accompanied me to see Fred as she was going home that way. The blackbirds are still singing above him and the windmill turned occasionally.

I left Wendy to go her own way and returned to the square where I met up with Gran and some more admirers. Time to make a quick retreat home I think as milk time was again approaching and this afternoon she had more visitors.

After lunch we had a visit from Shena, Wendy (neighbour) and Dorothy, Tony and their friend Molly.

The day finished with a well-earned bath, another feed and bed, although by now she had slept so much during the day, her eyes were wide open and bright which probably means a sleepless night for me, but never mind, its another day of adventures tomorrow. Happy days.

A change of circumstances today means a change in author, so Rachel Wills signing in for the next few days……

I hate Monday mornings. Tim goes back to work today, half-heartedly and wishes he was having another day with Heidi and me, pottering around in the sun. Exactly a month ago I was getting ready to go into Torbay Hospital ready for my pre-op assessment. It was a rather miserable day then, cloudy and wet, a contrast to today as when I woke at 0530 this morning to feed Heidi the sun was up and another warm day was evident. After the “bottom change” for Heidi I catch off to sleep again and then wake at 0700 to go and do the bottle wash and kettle boil for the day’s feeds. Tim remains asleep and so does Heidi.

After the morning chores, Tim decides to make the effort to launch himself into work mode and goes off to the bathroom whilst I look at Heidi snoozing in her moses basket.

Today is a big day. Not only the fact that Tim is back to work, but Heidi and myself are going to spend a few days at my Mum and Dad’s up on the moor. Today is also the home visit from the Health Visitor, so after yesterdays spruce up of the house, I am able to get things ready for the big journey to Chagford.

As high noon approaches (the time of the Health Visitor appointment), I feed Heidi and get her changed into her best clobber. Mum and Dad arrive as I am out in the garden pacing up and down trying to get the last bit of wind up (from Heidi that is). Mum is armed with plants to put in my hanging baskets and Dad heads to the shed to fire up the lawnmower. After a wait which seems ages, I gaze at the clock. 1300 hours and no sign of the Health Visitor. I phone her office. She has forgotten the appointment and it is re-arranged for Friday, so the Marigolds will have to be put into action again for the re-arranged visit.

We soon load up the car with all the baby paraphernalia and head off. Heidi sleeps for the entire journey and then wakes with an enormous cry when she realises that is must be milk time again. After a feed and cuddle with Gran, she rests in her moses basket and again snoozes for the rest of the afternoon.

After a teatime bath and another feed (and another cuddle with Gran) she settles down for the evening listening to the doves cooing on the chimneypot outside.

Sleep time does not last long and she is awake and eager to investigate Gran and Grampy’s house. This means her first sporting experience – a Speedway meeting on Sky TV which Grampy is settling down to watch. I have to say now that she has to be inaugurated into the world of speedway (I was spoon fed it as I was growing up). Indeed if I was a boy, I would have been called Neil after one of Dad’s favourite riders, Neil Street. Luckily for Heidi, there are currently no women riders. Dear Freddie was NOT named after a speedway rider although Dad confirmed that there was of course Freddie Lingren!. She seems to enjoy it and stays awake for half the meeting, but Mr Sandman gets the best of her and she soon drifts off to sleep, probably dreaming of tomorrow and whether there’s another speedway meeting to watch.

Heidi was drawn into the murky and sordid world of car boot sales today, and was concealed in her Baby Bjorn papoose.

It was a really hot day again today, and she got slavered with sun tan cream before setting off. There is little point in using the pram in these conditions as she will probably get too hot, and jiggled about too much on the rough ground.

It is only the second or third one of the year here, but it is full and there is a good variety of vendors. Fairly quickly Rachel spies a baby bouncer she wanted, as a second one to go up to Chagford. We have one already but needed another. It is £1.50 and will do the job, and as we have a look at it, the lady points out another around the front of her car. It is a Fisher price one with a vibration mode and other flashing lights, which looks new. It is certainly clean and complete and works, so we barter her down to £8.00. They are about £40 new so this will do.

Later on our rounds I buy some home made jams and other bits and pieces, so potter back to the car with things we actually wanted.

We head back to clean the device of old phlegm and spittle, and soon it is back to its former glory.

Tonight roast pork is feasted upon. Tomorrow I head back to work, which is bad news. Rachel and Heidi are heading up to the moors for a short break after the Health Visitor has been.

Heidi sits in her new chair and spends the entire time looking out of the window at the sky, quite quiet and thoughtful. She really is filling out now and responds more than she did a week ago. She is very kissable…..

We had a lie-in today until 1030h which was good. I still had my bath at 0600h, this time in a spot of Dettol. Not too much as I am told it will do me some harm, all this soaking in disinfectant.

It is a rather blustery day today and a lot cooler than of late. We do not have much planned so will do very little. A trip in to town is the highlight of our day, poking about in a few charity shops and kiddies clothes shops. There seems to be a huge amount of kids shops but their prices are quite high, with a lot of the stuff being used by the look of it. At least we pay them a visit.

The sea is rather grey looking although I can see across to Torquay where the balloon is flight. I need to go and get some tickets later.

Once back home Heidi is more settled and we sort out a toy box for her. We bought a red crate on wheels in Torquay the other day which will hold the bulk of them, with a surplus going to Gran and Grampy on the Moor, and some other going to Grandma and Grandad here.

We have a lot of Fred’s toys which are all a good as new, so they make an entrance. They have been stowed away since he went, so it very difficult to see them coming out in the light again. Many of these were faithful companions of his, having travelled to and from the numerous theatre visits he had to make. Heidi will look after them now. Some are a bit boyish, but well entertain her all the same. Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Mr Crackles, the Bear, to name but a few. His Feet Finders surface too, and these were just starting to get used.

She continues to demand food when you think she does not need any more. “Heidi Snacks” akin to Scooby Snacks placate her for a while but we need to check with the health visitor/midwife as to whether you can overfeed an infant. We were told not to worry it will sick it up, but you just wonder how much these things can consume? I guess it is better than not eating at all.

Meanwhile the thunder rumbles overhead, and the rain wets the washing on the line, and we are all shut up inside, nice and warm. Just the three of us.

Heidi, Rachel and I left the County of Devon today and travelled to Wadebridge for the Royal Cornwall Show. This is the second time I have been although Rachel in the past has been an occasional visitor. Indeed, she and Fred attended in 2006 not long after he was born.

The traffic through Bodmin was particularly grim with us travelling 6 ½ miles in one hour. Not sure why, but the traffic management of such an event leaves a lot to be desired although we eventually got there in the end.

Even the marshals off street (in the fields) we pretty woolly but we parked up fairly happy but stressed by the whole thing. Heidi was still asleep happily but we needed to watch her temp in the increasing heat.

Relieved of £13.00 each we stumbled in and bumped into Paul, from work and Poppy. We wandered around for a while and then had our grub. On from there we toured the various tents with me clutching my purchase of the day – Cornish Sea Salt. A rather tasty salt that comes as a mix between a flake and crystal it tastes rather good. Salt is a bit of a mysterious topic, and not all salt is bad. Refined table salt is not good at all, and is stripped of its natural benefits and bolstered with agents to keep it free flowing. You can taste the difference and should not need as much proper salt, than nasty salt.


We popped in to the Children’s Hospice South West tent and learnt a little about their current campaign to raise funds for another hospice in the south west, this time in Cornwall. There is one close to Bristol (opened April 2007) and one not far from Barnstaple. If you live in Cornwall then it is a real hike to get to one of these places and so a Hospice to fill the catchment area is needed. They need £5m to get going and have raised £1 to day, which I initially thought was not much. However, that amount was raised since September last year so it looks good progress.

We chatted about Fred and our experience and we had a drink and a chat with them. Just before we left, one of the staff gave Rachel two pin badges or brooches – one a butterfly and one a dragonfly. The butterfly they said was for Freddie and the dragonfly for Heidi. We had not mentioned anything about butterflies during our conversation so that was a nice surprise.

It did not take long to get home, although our legs were dropping off, from pushing a heavy pram in the thicker grass. Heidi happily had a bath to get all the dust off her.

Being woken at 0100h and 0445h meant that our cunning plan - or rather hopes - of normality were dashed somewhat. Still it is nice and light that time of the day, and the sun rose happily as I peered from the bedroom window. Time for an early wander again.

Today was designated a Rest Day, in that we did not really need to go out and Rachel wanted to stay in and do some jobs around the house. I popped out early to pick up some compost as she wanted to get the plants into the containers and baskets, before it got too late in the year.

Once done all looks good in the garden and I only have some herbs to do, plus my garlic and then fill in a few remaining gaps in the flower beds with bedding plants.

I took Heidi out with me for the afternoon and let Rachel either rest, or do her bit, without her having to worry about Heidi. Anyway, once Heidi is on the move in the car she is fast asleep so no worries there.

I do a few circuits of the town on foot and visit the bakers, green grocer and butcher as we are running low on stuff again. Heidi wakes temporarily whilst I am in the bank, paying in my coin bottle content which is a tidy sum. I always pay in the £2/£1, 50p, 20p and 10p coins but do not have the energy to count the 5p, 2p and 1p coins so I head over to Sainsbury’s to use their Coin Counter Machine. It takes 7.9% for the privilege, but is worth it on low value coins and saves an age. Usually with so many coins in one bag there is a discrepancy, so it avoids having to delve into your pockets to make up the shortfall.

She was due a feed on my travels so I visit a feeding station en route home, and that is at Claire’s. Heidi is assured a warm welcome here and gets cuddled and fed, and changed all in one visit, whilst I have a cup of tea and read the paper with my feet up. We head out into the garden to see what is happening with the ants that have had boiling water poured on them by Claire, whilst I try and ring Rachel at home. No reply means she is fast asleep I guess. I later learn that the phone ringing wakes her up, so she then gets up. Doh.

Once back my friend Mark arrives, not only to check out Heidi, but to look at my new ‘phone. Once gone Heidi starts to get grumpy and needs more feeding. She does start to pull some faces whilst in her Moses basket and looks like she is smiling. A low rumbling comes from her pants and nappy, and a “cabbagey” smell gradually pervades the air. Here we go again.

Waking at 0500h this morning, with Heidi starting to shout loudly, I nudged Rachel and asked what time her last feed was, as I must have missed the event during the night.

A bleary eyed R stated that it was at around 2130h so she had gone through for seven or more hours without waking. Or at least we did not hear her, which would be rather unlikely given the circumstances.

Feeling rather happy for Heidi (and ourselves hopefully for what was to come) I had a bath and listened to Farming Today and then The Archers pod-cast on my MP3 player. A few slices of bread and marmalade at 0600h and this was washed down with a coffee.

Heidi by now had nodded off again, full of a leisurely breakfast, looking very content indeed.

Today was my planned trip in the great Torbay HiFlyer balloon which has arrived for 5 years on Torre Abbey Meadow, on Torquay seafront. It is £14.00 to go up to 400 feet for 15 minutes and we are soon whizzing along the seafronts towards this spectacle. Once parked up, a couple of pimply, but surly youths, whom I assume are staff (or “Ground Crew” as I suspect they are known) mumble it is too windy and that I could come back later. They give me a flyer with a telephone number on to check the flying conditions.

We meet up later at Yates Wine Lodge in Torquay with Emma, Kim and Hayley from the office. It is nice and quiet in there and we have a nice lunch. Our usual venue, Richmond’s, closed recently although Yates is more pram-friendly.

Heidi is beginning to grow now, her face is changing and her ways are becoming more and more child-like which is nice. She is only 21 days old so is a bit of a tiddler, but it is nice to be able to see her gradually develop.

Today means a journey up to see Gran and Grandfer up at Chagford. Heidi is dressed up in her spotty frock and spotty bloomer pants, plus some knitted bootees made by Rachel’s mum.

Once there she gets her usual cuddles plus a few more cards and gifts await her. I whiz across to South Zeal to pick up my Nomadic mat, a neoprene blanket that can be used as a basha, windshield, mat or rain cover. I guess it could also double as a vast and lavish baby changing mat as it is waterproof too. It is in Raspberry so that Heidi can roll about on damp grass and keep the sun off her too.

Rachel’s dad has also taken delivery of a tractor, which Heidi shows little interest in. Rachel however is up in the cab looking at the controls, poking about and checking for dust. It has 16 gears in forward and another 16 in reverse.

A good old roast pork lunch follows before we head across to see Audrey before we are home again and Heidi is demanding yet another feed. The day when I have to return to work is fast approaching sadly, as time with Rachel and Heidi is valuable and fun.