Probably about time I recorded that Charlie started toddling (3 or 4 steps at a time) on Tuesday night. Wouldn't say that walking is the preferred mode of getting places yet, but he's quite chuffed with himself when he shows off his new skill.

Holiday (now a week ago) went really well. A week in a basic cabin at a holiday park in Holland near the coast, and then a week at SAGGA camp SE of the M25. Philip most excited that we went on a boat that fitted our car on too. Ball pool was brilliant evening entertainment for both kids as had few other occupants. There are advantages to being no.2 for Charlie as he gets to try stuff much younger than his brother did. I hardly slept a wink worrying about Charlie rolling off the bunk. Will ask for bed guards next time!

Holiday park had excellent childrens play area, no vehicles allowed up near the cabins and a heated open air toddler pool so was brilliantly kiddie friendly. Quiet at night, and in general very civilised. Our neighbours were amused to see Philip sitting out in his buggy in his pyjamas several nights running as we persuded him bed was the place to be.

The way Hollands infrastructure is arranged around the bike is brilliant. Hired bikes with child seats one day and pootled around. It was definitely the way to visit the nearby larger historic town as no cars were allowed anywhere near the centre. Loved looking at all the different types of bikes related technology - child trailers which are then in town buggies, recumbent bikes etc.

Introduced P & C to the concept of beach one lovely sunny day, and then got totally soaked in trying to go and have some time there on the last day.

Day trip to Amsterdam on double decker yellow train. V hot boat trip.

Magic of seeing Philip at the mini town near the Hague. He just ran around following the different trains. And at the end got his own mini chocolate from the factory. We were pround of ourselves for spotting the little Scout campsite. Charlie was just brilliant and hung out in the backpack taking it all in!

And the general bits and pieces of relaxing at the site. We took Philip's bike and several mornings he'd ride himself down to the reception (the lady with the questions) with me tagging behind and once I'd finished purchasing laundry tokens or whatever, he'd have a bit of a play on the slides and then the (big person sized) rabbit would appear. The rabbit paraded round site on a golf cart collecting children to join in the laid on activities and Philip would try his hardest to keep up on his bike. Good morning exercise. We also went to the swimming pool and Philip had a great time on the slide and seemed to really grow in confidence in the water. I kept my sun hat on to other users amusement!

All to quickly the week was over and it was time for the long drive south to Calais. Bit of time for shopping French style for various treats and then across the channel to Cudham.

Philip soon latched onto Alex as a playmate and within 24hrs they were happily running off to play together for large portions of the day. Charlie took a bit longer to settle into camp life but by the end was absolutely loving playing with all the other kids. Its very hard to describe what we did and just how much we all got out of it, but the mixture of local visits and site work worked well as ever. Philip and Alex shovelling concrete with plastic spades, and helping grandfather saw were a couple of the work highlights.