Heidi and Rachel have been away for a day or two, up on the ‘moor seeing friends and relatives.

Today when I got home I found Heidi in her favourite armchair (or bouncer) fast asleep whilst R did some work and jobs around the house. She seems to be getting the hang of night times now, and a strategically placed meal before deep sleep enables her to doze through to the early morning.

Once awake this evening I get her smile and she heads upstairs to get into her towelling sleep suit. Very smiley and relaxed, she lies back in her Moses basket trying to pull the blanket over her head. She is hiding from us I think, and I keep pulling it back so we can see her little round chops.

A big smile and she pulls the thing over her head once again, grinning as she does so. Hands are very useful she has found, though she does resist on the nail clipping.

It’s great to see her slowly learning things, and she seems cheery today. Must be the weather….

Many of you will have noted during my entries and postings on Heidi’s ‘blog as well Freddie’s, my references to Wetherspoons pubs, and how we often frequent them.

Whilst Rachel and I love cooking our own food from scratch we appreciate a bargain and so Wetherspoons provides us with a reliable place to go for some grub and beer occasionally. In Bristol, The Commercial Rooms was a smoke free and safe place for either, or both of us plus visitors to get some food at a reasonable price when taking an hour out of the hospital environment.

The nominated charity for Wetherspoons is CLIC Sargent and their original aim was to raise £2,000,000 which was recently met, and exceeded by £100,000. They now intend to raise another £1,000,000 which hopefully will be a similar success. Those who hang out in these places will know that liberally sprinkled about the pub (plus the various menus and cards that are on the tables….) are copies of Wetherspoon News, a magazine covering all sorts of topics relating to feedback from customers, to commentary on the governments stance on binge drinking and how the company fit in with the whole thing.

The magazine also is a platform to raise awareness of CLIC Sargent through the constant fundraising efforts of its pubs, staff and customers. From small leg waxing events to marathons it shows how they as a company are supporting a very worthwhile cause.

We read the magazine regularly so I contacted Wetherspoons to ask if I could write a short paragraph or two about how CLIC helped us in a practical way, hoping really to make readers understand that Joe Public are affected by the disease and you can really find yourself in a situation like we did.

They responded and were interested in my ramblings so I drafted a response and have recently had contact with CLIC about my submission.

They liked my words and so they (should) be publishing my article in the August edition of the magazine nationally in their pubs. I have not seen the final copy yet but hopefully not too many changes will have occurred in the transition between our experience and what is interesting reading.

Whilst I do not intend to sit in the pub slumped signing copies whilst I sip ‘Magners’ with my breakfast toast at 0900h, you may wish to drop a few pennies in the pink collection jars on the bar if you get to read it.

Whilst the mornings are getting a little darker now, this morning I could it was going to be a roaster again. Heidi was fairly settled overnight, though gets a second wind from 0700h to about 0800h where she nods of again for an hour or two. This gives Rachel a chance to do various things like some housework, and gives me a chance to supervise Heidi from within the bed clothes.

We had breakfast in the garden this morning as it was nice and warm, but Heidi took hers first. Then she settled down in her deckchair next to us, in the shade, whilst we had bacon and eggs, listening to the omnibus of The Archers. All rather pleasant.

She gets dipped in sun cream and we head over to the car boot sale, and so she lives in her papoose here. The ground is too uneven for the pram but the trouble is the air by now is hot although she is covered up well grumbles a bit. Some babies however were being trundled around completely exposed to the glaring sun for what would have been an hour or so plus.

Rachel purchases a bit of Tunbridgeware for 20 pence and she is happy with that. I am not into that sort of old stuff but it is a nice little snuff box by the look of it.

We head into town to get some things and take a walk along the sea front. This week is Carnival Week so there is a vintage car show on the Green plus the fair is in town. It is heaving with visitors and it really does look like summer has started here. Sun means that males inappropriately dressed for their physique are waddling about shirtless. Huge shiny brown slabs of meat shudder around, some young and some old, but all should know better. Many have tattoos and piercings as well which add to that “Mediterranean” feel. Mix that with fish and chip smells and blocked drains and we could be any in western europe…..

Heidi is blacked out in her chariot but is enjoying the smells and din I’m sure. She is trying to make sounds now, so we do try and engage her in conversation whenever we can. She might be making comments about that large shirtless pensioner dripping sweat on her at the pedestrian crossing but we’ll never know.

A drink in the Flagship pub means she can be changed and fed as well and we head over to mum and dad’s. Dad has walked down to the Club for a lunchtime drink and mum is worried he did not take his hat. Dad comes back and reassures her that he took his hat.

Heidi lies most of our visit on Grandmas stomach quite quiet and content, opening an eye every time I sneeze or make a noise.

We may have a barbecue tonight as have some food here ready. There is a stench of barbecue smoke wafting in from one of the neighbours and I await the smoke alarm going off, but it never has in such circumstances.

Back to work tomorrow and Rachel is taking Heidi up for some woodcarving. That means a couple of days in total quiet here at home, which is OK for a bit, but soon I wait for Heidi’s babbling to fill the air again. And the barbecue smoke.

Heidi has had a busy last week or so, travelling about to see various people and things.

On Wednesday 23 July we went to the doctors so she could have the first of her innoculations. Fred had his first ones as well but I decided to take the day off to come along, and to be able to help Rachel out if Heidi became upset or unwell afterwards.

She was very alert beforehand, laughing and smiling and again this was reminiscent of Fred in Bristol. Neither of them had a clue as to what was coming next, and we were instrumental in getting them into a situation where they would shout and holler.

Once inside the surgery we waited about twenty minutes before they called out Heidi’s name and we trooped in. Out came the pre-packed syringes and it was checked by the nurse. I think she needed specs, as she spent a while squinting to look for the label. I later guessed she was actually trying to read the batch number which was printed on the container, but which was in very small print.

Left thigh was exposed in went the needle quite deep, with a jabbing motion. It took a second before her smile left her face and she went in to a roof-rattling bawl. Then the right thigh was done, and within five minutes she was feeling sorry for herself but nodding off again.

A bit of Calpol later kept her from grumbling and she actually slept most of the time. She did not really want much to eat so we let her rest for the remainder of the day.

She has forgotten that now and today is very smiley and is now using her hands more to hold on to things, and to purposely move her legs about. I can see some early practicing for rolling over.

It has been very hot again today and when we pick her up she can feel quite warm. She wears re-usables which might may her feel hot, but she still seems happy with then. The occasional disposable comes out of R is heading up to Chagford overnight, as it saves lugging the bucket up there too with an already full car.

We would have loved to put her out in the garden but the weather has either been roasting or too cold. Hopefully she will be able to play out there for a bit, but slavered in sun cream. In the evenings it gets cold and we try to get her to bed early otherwise she tends to be distracted by the television or us talking.

Not sure what weight she is but she has outgrown her pram insert, which is like a carry cot. The Moses basket is getting near breaking point when she goes upstairs too, so we will have to purchase a new cot for her. The old was just that, so we shall use the various vouchers we have left that people kindly gave us to buy her a nice new cot. The old mattress has only been used once so that will come back into use.

We have been stockpiling Farleys formula milk recently, as I may have mentioned. It is currently £4.59 whereas SMA Gold and the others are about £7.50 to £8.00 a tub. She seems happy with it, but they are renaming the product to “Heinz “Nurture” which has meant it is getting harder to source locally. However the new Nurture product has nearly double in price to £8.00, so whenever we go to Lidls we clear their shelves.

Heidi and I had a lie in this morning until 0930h or so. R had got up at 0630h to do a few things and so I had a good extra snooze. Heidi enjoys late mornings I think, provided someone is nearby.

We headed to the shops to get some bits and pieces, and visited Claire for a spot of scrounged breakfast (me.) Cuddles all ‘round and then I dropped R off at home to go shopping with Heidi in Torquay.

It was nice and sunny and so she was in her spotty dress with matching hat. We walked up and down the shops peering in through the windows and getting the various things that I needed, and she slept happily. Occasionally she would stir and smile happily, squinting when the sun almost blinded her.

I visit mum and dads where she is getting a bit grumpy and unsettled. She gets a cuddle from Grandma, and Grandad is chipping golf balls on the front lawn. One goes astray and clangs in to the house. Its all point away a short while later.

I come back to find that R has done three hours of gardening, cut the lawn and weeded, plus emptied the wormery. All in neat bags down the side of the house ready for the tip in the week.

The ‘phone goes and Hayley from work is nearby so is popping by. She arrives and Heidi settles down for a good tree frog snuggle and drops off, quite content. She re-awakens and smiles and cries and then nods off again.

Once in her bouncer chair she settles to watch the fish and starfish wave back at her.

The roast lamb is cooking in the oven with the hasselback potatoes cooking away too. I have not done them for ages and hope they will be a success as I will miss my roasties f they are not.

Today saw the three of us head to Exeter for a shopping trip. Heidi has not been here before, and in fact neither have we since Freddie was in Exeter.

The shopping areas have changed after a great deal of redevelopment so we got a little lost. Its OK, not really our cup of tea (or Costa Packet coffee indeed) so we skirted around the new bits and headed in to the areas we knew.

Heidi was asleep for most of the time but soon perked up in the afternoon and was chuckling to herself constantly. Eyes were bright and swivelling about, looking at all the lights and bright clothes as she sped by the shop windows. Noisy smelly buses made her frown as they thundered by in the “pedestrianised” areas, and a passing police car with siren made her jump and squint a little.

Lunch was a rather grim pasty in a place we had never been before. I have yet to discover a proper pasty in a shop, though the Pasty Heaven chain (W C Rowes) do one which occasionally meets with my approval. A grey paste that someone could have chewed beforehand is not what it’s about. Chuck steak, potato, onion and swede all recognisably the size of a 5mm cube, in short pastry is proper. Plus salt and pepper, with a vent hole in the top and the intial of whose pasty it is seals the deal.

Heidi needed a nappy changed so we headed to Debenhams and R and H went in to the baby changing facilities. Looked good to me, but I could not stay long in there. They say that your own baby’s poo does not smell that bad, but others are really difficult to stomach. Once in one of these infernal spaces, once you go to open the nappy bin a waft of a hundred different babies comes out and fills the room.

It’s evil. It is like the fart of Beelzebub, it really is. A concoction of different pongs escape and I can’t stay much longer. R gives me a weary shake of the head as I escape to compose myself outside in the comfy chair.

We move on to other shops and then head home. We stopped at The Range on the way back to look for something and had a coffee. Heidi was fast asleep by now, and this was good. In the coffee shop we had a drink although every few minutes the sole member of staff would smash a metal implement repeatedly against the metal worktop (three times), with such a force the mezzanine floor shook, and of course woke Heidi each time. She was actually clearing coffee grounds each time from the machine but the frequency really got on my nerves…..

We got home where a slightly sweaty Miss Wills took a bath and happily relaxed into her Moses basket knowing tomorrow would be another day.

We set off this morning, heading to South Petherton in Somerset to visit a friend, Frances.

Arriving before 1100h we had a coffee and a chat and Heidi got her cuddles from both Frances and little Daisy who was at home. Samuel was out at school today.

A nice big lunch and a chat afterwards meant a relaxing day and then Frances’ mum and dad popped by to see Heidi for the first time. We chatted for while and later went for a walk in the lanes which meant Heidi got some fresh country air again. Daisy was in her trike though did not want to be pushed by me.

During our conversations we discuss the gramophone player I had seen in a local antique shop, and which I would like. It’s expensive, but the combined previous purchases of gramophone players, and the subsequent hefty profits I have made almost justify buying it. It is actually a good piece of furniture and would be my ultimate goal in gramophone-things, so Rachel concedes that I can buy it. On the proviso that I sell my old desk and cabinet gramophone. Deal done!!

We headed back late afternoon along the A303 and pass by the antique shop near home, with the gramophone still in the window.

Once back Heidi gets her bath and seems content. She does smile a lot this evening, so hopefully enjoyed her day.

Another sunny morning, which looked good for the plans which are set for today.

Heidi had had a good night and had slept from 2200h through to 0530h where she had her breakfast. The routine is I do the nappy and R feeds H. All the stuff is her side of the bed (including H) and so this seems to work well.

I have today and tomorrow off. It is a national Unison strike day, so I have combined leave with a bit of militant action. Had I not been “short changed” the other month when I was on paternity leave I would probably have taken it as no pay, but needs must, and so I used leave instead.

On Father’s Day I gave my dad a ticket for the Lindstrand Helium Balloon flight, which has appeared this year, on Torquay seafront. I wanted to go on it too, so purchased two tickets, which are valid for a year. Every weekend we have wanted to go has seen it grounded due to poor weather, or good weather but too strong a breeze. It really does shift about when it is tethered. I give the “Balloon Hotline” a call and they confirm that indeed it is flying today. A quick call to dad who is clearing the hedge trimmings from the side of the house means we are ready to roll.

Once there we manage to park on the road, a few feet away from the balloon which is even better. It looks much larger than when I drive by it several times a day, and is soon in flight as we look up. It is a bit of a spectacle to behold, even in this day and age. Basic but fascinating.

We go through to the benched area, which I suppose a sort of Departure Lounge and await the return of this flying machine. Just two other people are waiting. Apparently it will fly even if there is one of you waiting which is good if you can time it right. Anyway, before the gondola hits the ground a few German women arrive, chattering away noisily and sit down like the rest of us. Once we are summoned to climb aboard the pilot explains that only five passengers can board this time because of the wind. Dad and I would be number three and four so a solo passenger is needed. Regardless of this, the Germans forge ahead of us clambering to get aboard before us, and it looks like we will not get on. I manage to point out to the pilot the error of the Germans ways, and they are disembarked, completely in the dark as to why, despite much gesticulating and slow speaking.

As we ascend, I give our European friends a little wave as they get smaller and smaller, to
which they surprisingly wave back.

20 minutes later we return to ground, and head off to the seafront and drive home. I think dad enjoyed it very much.

Heidi was with R all this time and slept well, watching the artificial fish on her bouncer and real ones in the tank.

I took her out for the afternoon around town and over to mum and dad’s. In town I visited the antique shop and saw a rather splendid horn gramophone, which at £350.00 is reasonable. However, I have a cabinet one that needs a clean up before I move it on, and it is a bit of a luxury. A bargain though.

Heidi is doing all sorts with her hands now, and this can actually be quite disruptive – pulling things out purposely, or blocking your hands to get at her.

Another journey tomorrow though…..

Rachel and Heidi have been away for a night, after taking June back to Chagford. They set off yesterday morning early to avoid the traffic, and both returned this evening at tea time.

Heidi has been well behaved and has been meeting lots of people. She did her weekly visit to the farm where the two of them and Audrey went for a long walk over the fields and by the river. Rachel collected a few stones for Heidi’s aquarium on the way.

She is carried into the house with eyes as bright as buttons and I get my cuddle and smile.

Emily pops by to see H and soon it is bath time. Loads of din as Heidi shouts but soon calms to the splashing of water on her legs and bum.

After a feed she is fast asleep, hopefully catching up on much needed sleep, and will wake again much later…..

A sunny morning saw us all breakfast in the garden. Heidi had her little baseball cap with a flap at the back to protect her bonce, and watched us eat croissant.

Today was her second outing to the car boot sale down the road, and so as the sun got higher she was slavered in sun tan lotion which once again made her look like she blotchy skin. In her papoose she slept all of the time opening an eye every now and then to see what was happening.

I bought a metal potato masher from Marianne, someone whom I have known for years and years as she was there having a clear out. All the potato mashers now seem either to be plastic, or in an “L” shape that bends when one is doing “extreme mashing” of potatoes or squashes. Anyway, for 50 pence we were both happy.

We headed over to Torquay and then had some lunch over there. Heidi was sleepy most of the time there as well, which is good but she might find it more interesting if concentrated a bit.

Then back to my mum and dad’s for a whistle stop cup of tea.

The day ends in a bath to rid her of the sun tan lotion, and by early evening she is wide awake, ready for causing trouble….

Lots went on today. Rachel’s mum June is down for a few days and so we headed off to the Roadford Woodfair, which is an hours’ drive away. Weather was crummy as usual but we soon on the way heading into grey clouds.

On arrival we saw that the first few cars were getting bogged down in the field, and we luckily marshalled into a dry area by the entrance. Heidi and all her travelling belongings were loaded on to her pram off we set.

It is a collection of wood carvers and wood workers plus lots of rural management stands and has in the past been really good. We wandered around watching the falconry displays and other activities. One of the best exhibits was a travelling camera obscura, which could be revolved to look at the show ground in 360 degrees. Most impressive.
We had bought our own grub as it tends to be expensive, and marvelled at the veggie people queuing for a plate of butternut squash.

We bought Heidi a nameplate for her bedroom door, which is of Eeyore and Pooh. I also bought a mushroom starter kit, which comprises 30 mouldy pellets of spores, a drill bit and a little bag. All I need now is a newly cut broadleaf log, about two foot in length to shove these into, and in a year or 18 months time I will have shitake mushrooms. Very nice they are, and hopefully it will be a success.

Once back at home we headed over to the pet shop as today is the day we can introduce fish to Heidi’s little fish tank. Its been a week and all looks well in there. Two goldfish and a loach are purchased and on the way home Rachel announces their names. Margot and Gerry are the two goldfish (one a shubunkin), and Henry is the loach. I could not figure out the Henry connection, but “Henry the Hoover” was the inspiration apparently. As he is bottom feeding fish clearing up what is dropped on his head I see the sense in this.

Once back they are gradually introduced, and initially appear to be happy with their new home.

Heidi is growing well now and is getting heavier and heavier when being carried. She is alert now and watches you wander around the room, and wrings her hands constantly. Smiles today were not too bad, although she has done better. Maybe she gets bored of travelling.

She has yet time to study the fish, but no doubt will have a chuckle as she watches them flit about in the current.

Yesterday Heidi stood for the very first time. A little unsteady at first but she did it for a fraction of a second. I had hold of her and upright and she locked her knees as she stood. I let go for a nano-second and there she was, vertical. Once she realised that gravity had the better of her I caught her. She was not that fussed but it could be developmental milestone as they say.

This morning saw the rain blow away and so her nappies were aired on the line like hanging bats. She and I had a lie-in whilst Rachel was downstairs finishing off the dining room. A lazy breakfast for me saw me having scrambled egg, rocket and chopped chillis in a floury bap, then we headed out to get something for Heidi. It is something she has always wanted we think, as she has a fascination for the plastic fish that wobbles about in the baby bouncer we bought. Rachel’s brainwave last night turned into reality as we headed to the pet shop…..

Heidi is now the custodian (or will be) of a small glass fish tank that is in the sitting room, next to the settee. We set it up today and have the filter in place, a couple of plants plus some gravel from the shed. It is “aqua gravel” no less, which I bought a few years ago just before I embarked on another project – giant land hermit crabs. They never materialised of course as I realised that they are simple life form but need to be sprayed regularly with water to keep their gills moist. It was a good idea but I decided that the gravel might be put to better use one day in the future. Today it emerged.

It is a simple tank, half a glass hexagon that will house three or four fish, cold water, as we wanted to keep it all very simple. I used to keep cold water and tropical many years ago and was evena member of a local fish keeping society. I tried marine for a little while but that was too difficult and so the hobby disappeared.

The tank is now all set up to receive the fish and next weekend we shall go and have a look for something to put in it once the water has stabilised. It is rather a quiet pump but already bits of plants are swirling around and Heidi has noticed it too.

She had a good day and slept most of the day really. The weather improved in the end but not much sun. She spends most of her time wrapped up at the moment which is a shame as it is supposed to be summer.

Emily came around this evening and so Heidi had a good nap whilst on her lap, snuggled into her fleecey top. Cuddles are her favourite - especially just before her sleep-time......

This morning the weather was awful as expected but seemed to clear as Heidi was getting ready to wake up. She is still waking at 0430h for a snack and hopefully this habit can be shaken off soon.

Rachel has plans to redecorate the dining room and heads off early to buy some paint. I wallow in bed with Heidi having a quick cuddle before mummy returns and starts preparing downstairs.
It looks a bit stormy outside so it is practical clothes today – no draughty dresses.

Whilst Rachel is painting I take Heidi off to town for the day, and call in at the various shops. The rain has moved in by now and so the rain cover comes out from under the stroller. She is quite happy in there, although it gets a little misty at times.

Once finished we head over to Grandma and Grandads, where she is spoilt with cuddles and hugs. New nappy and a feed see her fall asleep immediately afterwards. The Tour de France is on the television and she does not even stir for that.

I head back to find the painting all done, and Rachel has done the things she wanted to do. Heidi gets her bath and another feed by then and is soon asleep again, all fluffy and dopey….

Heidi is developing a little more attitude now and knows that crying for “fun” brings results. No tears, but a lot of running around by others.

She is getting to a routine that means just one 0500h feed, and then retires for a bit. Mumbling and grumbling for a few hours mid-morning means she can keep her keepers on their toes.

Today is a hot one again and I meet Rachel and Heidi, along with Amanda at the Brewers Fayre on Torquay quayside. I meet Amanda along the way and find Rachel giving Heidi a feed outside the pub. As the sun is shining Heidi has a little pink baseball cap on, with a neck cloth on to protect the back of her neck.

She is happy to watch us scoff our grub after she has had hers and behaves impeccably. Fred had hung out at this pub in June 2006, and enjoyed the busy environment and view across the harbour too.

Afterwards, we headed back to work and Rachel headed back home after a bit of shopping for windscreen wipers.

She is over seven weeks old now and is filling out nicely. Looking at the photo at the top of the page I now realise how much she has grown though no doubt this is also down to the quantity of food she consumes.....