The Douglas Family

We want to say a big thank you to ABS for the money you gave us for activities over the summer. Sorry we haven't written earlier but the end of the holidays came too quickly and we’ve had homework since nearly the first day of term back in mid-August.

Our Granpa (mum's dad) was very ill over the summer, so when mum wanted to go up we would all camp near Granny and Granpa's (100 miles away from here). While mum went to the hospital dad took us on some activities. We always took our bikes with us on these trips as mum needed the car.

The first trip up we stayed at Strathclyde Park. We could get everywhere in the park by bike. It was great. As well as cycling, we did canoeing and kayaking as well as a few other things at the watersports. Dad and Andrew went to the funfair too. Only one evening was very wet but as we had been planning on going to the cinema we stayed dry. We watched Ice Age 3.

The next two trips we stayed at Lochwinnoch. We could cycle lots of places on the old railway tracks. One of the days dad and Peter went on a longer cycle. Mum and Andrew were going to stay at the tent until lunchtime when we were to meet at Granny's. It started pouring though so mum decided she didn't want to stay at the wet campsite and persuaded Andrew that they should go to Granny's earlier. It wasn't until they got to Granny's that we found out mum was a right wimp. She had only put her coat on over her pyjamas! Of course that then meant she had a good excuse to have a nice long shower at Granny and Granpa’s house instead of the one at the campsite we all put up with.

When we were at home your money meant we could take part in other activities. Andrew went to tennis and mixed sports events. Peter was involved in the summer production by Border Youth Theatre. I had a great time. I was behind the stage this time rather than one of the actors. I helped the stage manager. I got up in the morning, cycled into Melrose where it was being held, and came back home at night. Mum, dad and Andrew hardly saw me for 10 days. Dad and I also went to Glentress mountain biking. That is my favourite sport. We would normally only go once every two or three weeks, but your money helped pay for some of the petrol so we could go more. Andrew came a couple of times too but it's not his favourite sport.

We were allowed in to visit Granpa in hospital at the end of our last camping trip. He was only well enough to see us for 15 minutes but we really wanted to see him. Granny said after that it had really cheered Granpa up. We don't know if it was us really or the cinnamon ball sweeties we had brought for him. He is home with Granny now but gets carers in every day. Uncle Gordon lives 5 miles away so he and Auntie Jo-Anne help out a lot. Granpa can now walk round the house with a zimmer. He has a walker that he can use outside which has the kind of brakes you find on a bike. Two days ago Granny and Granpa managed to go out for lunch. It was their Golden Wedding Anniversary last week but Granpa wasn't well enough to go out then, so they just pretended it was their anniversary this week.
Nearly at the end of our holidays, dad took us camping with our Auntie Ali (his sister) and our cousins Sam and Luke. We went to Kielder. Sam and Andrew slept in dad’s tent while Luke and Peter slept in Auntie Ali’s. Sam and Andrew are the same age so they always do things together. Luke is only 5 but he never leaves Peter’s side. Mum stayed at home. She said she enjoyed the peace and quiet without us all.

Thank you again for helping us have a great time during our summer holidays.

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