Despite the appeal of a Christmas at home with the team, the offer of a trip was made so I bravely volunteered to set off for two weeks of 5* R&R in Costa Adeje, Tenerife.
After a few funny looks from security at Manchester airport (doesn't everyone have a camouflaged and medal wearing bear in their hand luggage?) off we went. As the flight was so busy I spend most of it in a daysack inhabiting an overhead locker, but judging by some of the noise and chaos outside it was probably the quietest and most comfortable place to be!
On arrival at the hotel I couldn't wait to explore my new surroundings, so after a spell checking out the rooms, I decided to catch a few rays and survey the surrounding area from the balcony with a beer, I was on holiday after all!!! (pictures 01 & 02)
Sgt Braille got fed up with the British Winter, and managed to charm his way into a lady's suitcase for a few weeks of warmth and sunshine in Grenada.
The following text has not been translated from the original Jockinese, but apparently relates to a drinking and fund-raising tour of Edinburgh in which Sgt Braille was forced [without much protest] to participate.
Sergeant Slingsby was despatched to Devon to support the fundraising Golf Day organised by the 3 Royal Tank Regiment Golf Society.
Another outing for Sgt Braille ... 
For those who had never noticed, the La Torre Golf Resort in Spain is where many of the families being supported by holidays4heroes are accommodated. Sgt Braille took another trip there to update himself.
With the BMG's permission, I extended my stay in London for some more sightseeing.
One of Sgt Slingsby's first missions was to visit some of the sights of London. To provide an update, Sgt Hotspur was sent to London to "see the sights" for a few days.
Holidays 4 Heroes is an informal group of people that assists wounded service personnel and their families get a precious break from the routine of rehab, hospital appointments and visits to welfare offices by facilitating holidays away from it all in accommodation donated by our sponsors in the UK and abroad. 
Deals with the cases that either lie outside the normal remit of the main Service Charities, or require a faster response than they can usually provide. Sometimes the cases require financial assistance, a little bit of nudging in the right direction for long-term help, or the application of a bit of expertise.