Camping Out

Hi there.  How are you all doing?  I’ve just got back from a week away (a “holiday”) so thought I’d tell you a bit about it.  Last week I took Mummy and Daddy away for some R&R (which stands for Rest and Relaxation, and means you get less sleep and more basic facilities).  We went camping, well, caravanning, at New Wine, in a place called Shepton Mallet.  They seemed to have a good time, and I absolutely loved it.

Firstly, there was our little home for the week.  It was much more suited to my size than the place we normally stay.  Almost everything was within reach, so I could helpfully move all of Mummy and Daddy’s things to the floor whenever they set them down.  The bin was within reach too so I could remove the bin bag for them whenever I thought that might be useful.  I could also keep Mummy in my line of sight at all times – so useful!  The main downside was that there was a tricky catch on the cupboards and drawers so I couldn’t get into them unless Mummy left the catch undone.

Secondly there was the large daytime living area – it was outside, which was a lot of fun as there is so much grass and other things to pick up and try when one is outside.  And there were so many other people my size there.  I got to play with them and their belongings, and they provided lots of entertainment for me.  Daddy played with us a lot too, rather than going out each day, which was actually rather nice.  I think I shall miss him now that he is back to leaving during the day.  I was an utter delight at all times in an attempt to convince him it’s more fun playing with me, but it doesn’t seem to have worked.

Everything we needed was pretty close-by, and so I mainly travelled on Daddy’s shoulders rather than bothering with any of my usual modes of transportation.  I like riding on Daddy’s shoulders.  It’s easy to hold on by gripping his hair tightly, and I can see so far from up there!

Sleep was actually OK too on our holiday.  Mummy brought a smaller bed for me, one which I use for occasional naps at home.  It’s not so comfortable but it was OK for a week.  I was very tired at the end of each day so was able to sleep in it well enough. By the time it was getting light however I felt I had some energy again, and I soon worked out that if I made enough noise after about 5.30, Mummy seemed to think that it would be disruptive to the other people staying nearby and so she whisked me off to a place called Stepping Stones.  If you get the chance, you MUST visit.  It was amazing.  So many things to play with, and Mummy or Daddy available nearby if I needed anything.  I found a great spatula and whisk to explore there, and a whole kitchen designed for someone my size.  I was quite dismayed at 5am today however when I discovered that Mummy made me go back to bed, regardless of how much noise I was making, rather than taking me to Stepping Stones.  I’m starting to suspect that it was only available while on our holiday.

During the day Mummy went to big tents where people sang excitedly and then someone talked for a while.  It was pretty dull but meant I had plenty of opportunity to sleep while Mummy was otherwise engaged and therefore didn’t need me, so that worked out well.  Mummy seemed to enjoy the time in the tents a lot and even went to them a few times without me.  Daddy and I had a lot of fun while she was gone, and when she came back she usually provided food, so that was good too.  She did seem a bit overly emotional however and one day came back and said she was really happy but was crying.  Weird.

There seemed to be another branch of The High Chair available in Shepton Mallet, so I ate there for all my meals.  It served all my usual food, but was much busier.  So many people, eating so many different things.  My seat was the tallest and I had fun watching the other diners while I ate.  Plus Mummy and Daddy ate all their meals with me too.  I’d rate it 4 stars (it was very noisy).

Mummy has been explaining that while there she and Daddy got to spend lots of time talking to someone called God.  She says he’s their friend and my friend too.  We read stories about him sometimes, which have lots of colourful pictures and exciting plots.  He seems pretty important to Mummy and Daddy so I guess I’ll be getting to know him too at some point.

We’re home now and I suspect normal routine will return.  Hopefully I’ll get a chance to take Mummy and Daddy away again soon.  In the meantime, I shall enjoy rediscovering all my favourite places, and getting Mummy all to myself again.

Bye for now!