"Deja-vu", I thought as I climbed out of my cardboard travelling container. "I‘ve definitely been here before - I'd recognise that black hairy dog anywhere!" Suddenly it all became clear when I heard the soft Scottish lilt of my Bearer - I was back to visit the Black Watch Bn, Army Cadet Force.
My Bearer explained that the camp I was to attend would be very different from the one I attended 15 months ago. For a start, we would not be staying in Scotland, but would be travelling south to the Liverpool area for summer camp at Altcar Training Camp. After a reviving cuppa (no honey - Slingsby had eaten it all in April), we headed off for a little pre-camp pampering from the lovely ladies at "Number 57" in Auchterarder - thanks for the kisses ladies, and for the prize for our raffle. [Ed: apologies, I originally failed to upload the "Number 57 pictures - they're there now].
A five hour car journey followed during which my Bearer took the opportunity to brief me on the week's activities. "Unlike Spring camp, where the young people work towards their Star awards, Summer Camp is the time when they take part in many different activities, working with their Companies." she explained "I will be running a range for most of the week but I'll make sure you get a chance to see all that the Cadets will be doing".
Once we settled into our accommodation we had time for a range recce [what a bleak place!] before the arrival of the cadets - Oh, but what a welcome I had!! It was great to pose for photos with so many friends, both new and old. It's a miracle my fur survived the hugs and cuddles from everyone!!
Sunday dawned warm and overcast, but with the promise of sunshine to come. Today's events were the junior drill competition and sports day. The four company teams from Alma, Burma, Korea and Ypres all worked very hard and gave excellent account of themselves as they were marked by the Commandant and the RSM.
After lunch, it was off to the sports field to participate in Tug of War, Football and volleyball. I assisted in every way possible - cheering on the teams, helping the referee, fighting with spectators, collating scores ... and I even had a wee shot on the lining machine. My little legs were tired after all this effort, so I was grateful when Major Gill offered me a lift back to camp on his "pocket bicycle".
Monday saw my Bearer's own company heading off out on exercise - 48 hours out in the field. I helped pack up the kit and bade them farewell [I'm not stupid, I stayed in Camp!]. Then we set off to the range. The range package was a fairly complex one involving battle runs between shoots, and culminating in a falling plates competition. Although my Bearer was busy, she managed to fit in a few photo opportunities. We were visited on the range by Colonel John Kelly, the cadet Colonel of 51st Brigade, and he was delighted to pose for a photograph while my Bearer explained all about Sergeant Slingsby and Holidays4Heroes
On their return from exercise, my cadets then had a day of adventurous training. This involved a morning of water sports, which I watched from a safe distance - salt water is sooooooo bad for the fur! The afternoon was spent at an indoor climbing wall - a fascinating place, created inside a former cathedral. I did manage to reach the top, and was even able to help one of the humans who seemed to be having a bit of difficulty.
While I was away on my jollies, my Bearer was still working hard on the ranges, but afterwards I generously lent a hand with sorting the brass and cleaning the weapons.
The week, as always, was fast drawing to a close, but not before the Senior drill teams had their opportunity to perform. The standard was awesome!!
My final activity was the assault course. I made a valiant effort, but my little legs were just too short - fortunately Sgts Hardie and Gill were there to give me a helping hand.
Final parade followed with the presentation of trophies for the various activities throughout the week, then it was off to the Mess for a BBQ and the all-important fundraising raffle. Once again, my friends at the BWACF rose to the challenge - £216.43 of hols4heroes merchandise sold and £483.97 raised by the raffle - a grand total of £700.40!!!!
Ed: Enormous thanks again to Col Passmore and all the Staff and Cadets of BWACF. Your on-going support for small Bears and their Cause is deeply appreciated. Bless you all.
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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.