A week ago on Thursday we went down to Dorset. We stayed with Granny and Grandpa overnight. M had arranged a weekend away for me and him in the new forest and Granny and Grandpa had very kindly agreed to look after Fidget. Fidget settled in quickly and was looking forward to swimming and treats and we set off.

We were staying at Careys Manor http://www.careysmanor.com/ inn Brokenhurst, on arrival we found we have been upgraded to an Oakwood room which was beautiful. That evening we ate in the Tai restaurant which was scrummy, it was so nice to just sit and talk and take our time.

On Saturday we spent the whole day in the spa, we swam and chilled out by the pool and in the relaxation room, they had a great hydrotherapy area - it was lovely - bit of a shame that I had to limit my time in there and wasn't allowed in the sauna and steam room but it didn't really matter as we were very happy to pass our time just lolling around or being really silly in the pool. It was nice not to be worried about whether Fidget was safe and having to chase around after her and just do nothing. In the afternoon I had a pedicure and facial while M explored the sauna and steam rooms.

That evening we ate in the Manor restaurant which was really posh, before dinner each evening we went to the bar for cocktails (mine being non-alcoholic), they brought out nuts and scrummy olives. Then carried our drinks into the restaurant. The food was yummy and it was a lovely atmosphere with a pianist playing, while we sat by open windows looking over the garden with a cool summer evening breeze blowing in.

Sunday morning we checked out, picked up some picnic supplies then drove back through the new forest. We stopped along the way for a little wander...

Then went along to a place where M used to go as a kid. We sat by a little river and ate our picnic and read the paper.

We had had a fantastic weekend, and really enjoyed our time together, particularly given that it is likely to be another 2 years before we can do it again. By this time though we were keen to get back and see Fidget, so packed up and headed to Granny and Grandpa's.

Fidget had been having a great time, she had asked about us a few times but seemed content to hear we would be back in a few days. We were staying until Fidget's bedtime, so Fidget continued to make herself useful around the house doing the washing up...

It was then time for a swim before bedtime, Granny and Grandpa had bought her a new swimsuit that has floats around it, which frees up her arms (rather than using armbands), though it makes her less stable as it moved her centre of gravity, but she had been getting on well with it and was keen to demonstrate.

Though of course throwing things in the water was more appealing...

We were very impressed with her skills.

Thanks so much Granny and Grandpa!