A Nice Little Break

We both had this week off work and we decided to keep our booking at a campsite. I had booked it when my Dad was first admitted to hospital. I always loved to go camping with my Dad, so it seemed right that we still went. We didn't start going our our little family camping trips until 2010, after I went to Glastonbury Festival for the first time. We never used to go far, we lived in Suffolk at the time and we found a beautiful campsite 20 minutes away that felt a million miles away from home. We also found one near Holkham, on the North Norfolk coast that we liked too. Lots of happy memories from those weekends away. 

This week, Darren and I had booked into a campsite on a farm near Leek in Staffordshire. We stayed for 3 nights and had the place to ourselves for the first 2, it was bliss. We camped in the meadow, alongside the sheep, who provided us with entertainment and company. 

We had a lovely few days, even the weather provided us with a heatwave. We went to have a look around Leek and Buxton and for the first time in years I sat and read a book. I can't remember the last time I sat and properly read. I took a book I knew was easy going and I had it finished within 24 hours. As we had the place to ourselves we had a BBQ, put on some music and let our hair down. I needed a release and I danced like no one was watching. I talked about happy memories of my Dad and I cried happy tears. We had even borrowed Dads car so we could take everything we needed, so it felt like Dad had come with us. On the first morning I got up at half 6, put on my jumper and sat outside with a cup of tea and watched the rabbits hopping across the field. As my Dad was always known to everyone as Bunny I knew it was him. He was showing me he is still with me. 

I'm so glad we had a little break away, we both needed it. Grief can make you feel guilty about doing normal things. I do find myself thinking how can anything be normal ever again but I know that Dad wouldn't want me to put m life on hold. I felt guilt about going away when Mum needs me, but she wanted me to go and clear my head as well as I could.

We got home yesterday and I am sat here writing this watching the Glastonbury highlights of the day, wishing I was there. I was lucky enough to go in 2010 and 2011 and I am hoping to go again next year. Have any of you been?