Our summer holiday this year (and probably the next few years as well) was SAGGA camp - a load of like-minded families, doing service work on a Scout/Guide site and getting out and about it the area. This year was a site in Kent, just inside the M25, with work projects including building a toilet block and renovating a hut.So, 11 days under canvas, was Imogen's first proper holiday. And she loved it - good job really as she's going to have to do it again! All the fresh air, and new things to watch, meant she slept well - day and night - and she
came back with a rosy glow to her cheeks and nose. She charmed everyone with her smiles, and made lots of new friends, including Harry (who beat her to the accolade of youngest camper!) and some Nigerian Guides who'd been to an international camp nearby (Imogen's first international Scouting experience).The weather was mixed - rain, wind, sun, but no snow! In fact, it was the wind that bothered me, and Imogen, the most. The noise in the tent had the habit of disturbing her sleep, whereas I just couldn't get to sleep for worrying about the tent ripping or falling down around us. Thankfully, our tent held up to the elements, unlike others, and we managed to get it home dry (having slept in a building on the last night). Imogen had her own tent too - no, not over night, but we did buy her a little sun shelter which got some use on the nicer weather days!
Dave managed to do a fair amount of work around the site - sometimes a bit too much for my liking, as I felt frustrated by not being able to do as much as I have done in previous years, and a bit left out and lonely at times. But, I did manage to get some work done, between Imogen's feeds. In fact, one morning she came down into the woods with me and some of the other kids to clear an area for the "trim trail" - one lad said she was our official supporter on the project!
On one day out we decided to go to a local farm type thing - a lovely place that was run by a charity providing housing and jobs for disabled adults. There were walk-through areas to see some of the animals, so I strapped Imogen into the sling and took her to have a look. And she seemed to think the animals were quite interesting; she certainly didn't seem scared or bothered by them. In fact, at one point she put a hand out to touch a sheep, and seemed very curious about the goats that were nibbling at my trousers.
Another first for Imogen was geocaching. Dave and I used to do quite a lot when we went away anywhere - it's a great way of finding places that you wouldn't normally see - but haven't done any for a while. But one afternoon a car treasure hunt was set up, taking us very close to caches in the area. We really need to get back into it, because our caching eyes and brains are out of practice, but we did find one, grabbing a narrowboat TB to continue on it's journey.It wasn't just Imogen who managed a "first"; I also managed to get out for an evening to a local pub, leaving her with Dave to cope if she woke up (which she didn't!). I've been feeling torn for a bit now, wanting to go out, but not wanting to leave Imogen. I've done it during the day to go to Tesco or something, but somehow it's different going out for an evening socially. But she was doing so well sleeping, I took the chance and enjoyed a couple of drinks out.
Over the last few weeks - no doubt helped by our time at camp - Imogen has changed and developed loads. She has always been quite a happy little smiler, but seems more so now - very sociable. She's rolling well, sitting pretty good with support, and is starting to put feet down to try and stand. She grabs anything that she can get her hands on (we're in the process of Imogen-proofing our lounge!) and puts most of it in her mouth. She's very nosey and takes in everything that's going on around her and is obviously learning new things all the time. It's great to see, and she's constantly amazing and amusing us with her new tricks!
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