Writing, fatshion, me: Family Trip

Asi n previous years, we went away for the weekend in July with my family. We used to go camping, but we have also done other things. While baby T is little, we have decided static caravans are the way forward. We went in one last year in Norfolk, in Hunstanton, and this year we booked to go to Billing Aquadrome which is near Northampton. It was about two and a half hours drive for Lee and me, but we stopped for lunch on the way. We got to Billing Aquadrome about 2.45 but we couldn't check in until 4pm so we sat in the main entertainment area - which is called The Venue - and had a drink.

It was really hot so we sat outside and I had a lager, but it wasn't actually that nice which was a shame... Never mind! We eventually got the keys and drove round to the vans. I had booked them over the phone because we wanted to be close to each other, unlike last year when we were just a bit too far apart from each other for comfort. So we were next door but one to each other on River Meadows, which is one of the closest 'streets' to the main areas. The park is huge, I'm glad we weren't any further away. The vans were absolutely identical so Lee and I chose one and opened the windows in both caravans because it was so hot inside.

My mum and stepdad arrived not too long after us and my aunt and uncle the same, and then my cousin Peter. By this time it was about 4.30 and I had booked swimming for 5 people at 5pm. My mum can't fully swim because of the ongoing problems she is having with her mastectomy scar, but I had persuaded her to bring her swimming costume and come with us. So me, her, Lee, my uncle Neil, and Peter, all headed off. The swimming set up was a bit confusing but it was fine once we were in the pool. There was a slide so my uncle and Peter went down it a couple of times. My mum just sat on the side with her legs dangling in, keeping her scar dry, chatting to us. It was lovely, I'm glad she came.

I have been having a really crappy time recently - more on that later - and we haven't been swimming because of my mum and a few other things, so it was so nice to be in the water and just let myself float and relax. In fact, I managed to relax for the whole weekend, barely thinking about difficult things at all. I cried in the pool which was a huge release too, I must have needed it. It was also really cool in the pool so that helped. I've doubled my dosage of antidepressants so the heat has been absolutely killing me.

We got out at 6pm when the pool shut and headed back to the caravans, where Rob, Beth, and T had arrived. T was thrilled to play with some fans, which was adorable. Lee and I were cooking on Friday so we got started on that. We made a Mexican baked rice thing which we've made before and which we really like. We made one with beef and one with vegetarian mince, plus sour cream, cheese, a mountain of guacamole, and so on. It did take quite a while for it to be done, but it was worth it. Everyone enjoyed it!

Rob had made all the desserts for the weekend and I had requested tiramisu which he had made and it was SO GOOD! I am so grateful! It was soft and coffee filled and delicious. We just chatted for the rest of the evening and had some wine, we were all tired after the week but it was so good to be together.