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.....