I'm having a busy time at the moment, travelling here and there all over The South. Being in the area meant I was able to pay a visit to our very good friends at Basepoint, in Basingstoke, where young Cpl Horsa had been only a month or so ago.
This time they were going to meet The Head Bear!!
On my arrival at The Bead Base, Basepoint, I was taken and introduced to the Basepoint management, Anne and Debbie. Much cuddling and stroking ensued ,with comments such as "Why hasn't he got any trousers?" and "He's much larger than Horsa!". I can only assume they were talking about my height.
I was taken back to The Bead Base where I was given an extremely high chair to sit on. I was therefore able to peruse all the comings and goings.
During my stay I was given the honour of opening Nancy's new bigger craft shop. (01) I had a bit of trouble with the scissors but, with a bit of assistance, managed to cut the ribbon. (02)
I was also taken down to Spire hospital in Southampton, and met the staff in the radiotherapy department. (03) One of the radiographers recognised my beret, and immediately contacted his brother, recently returned from Afghanistan, who is also AAC. They were both very interested in what Holidays4Heroes do. Photos were taken, and messaged, and the website was looked at then and there!
I was taken to look at the equipment, which is a very impressive linear accelerator that can provide image guided radiotherapy. I tried out the table and arm rests while I was there, and managed to work some of the controls by myself from the control centre. (04) (05) The staff at reception kindly let me leave some leaflets for the perusal of visitors.
Unfortunately my trip to guide camp and Marwell Zoo had to be cancelled due to a family illness.
I later popped into Jane Ann's Bridal to thank them for the voucher they donated to the wedding auction, and had a few photos taken with the lovely Dawn. She can't resist a man in uniform, and much cuddling took place. And with that my trip to Basingstoke was at an end. (06) (07)
My thanks to The Bead Base and Basepoint who, as ever, have been gracious hosts, and to all the businesses past and present who have donated items for auction.
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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.