Jacques the windmill keeper was down in the kitchen making his breakfast. Alice and Alfie heard him talking on the phone saying he was going to his brother’s for the weekend. Alice said, “We will be on our own for two or three days. What shall we do?”

Alfie replied, “Down in the barn I saw a small tent hanging up. We could go camping.”

Alice said, “Oh, can we? Please, please, please let us go.” So they waited until Jacques’ van had left, then they went down to the barn and there it was, a small tent hanging up. They took it down and carefully put it into a small bag that they found on the floor.

Alfie went back into the windmill and put some water and food into a bag and their journey began.

They walked along the side of the river and the butterflies flew with them and kept them amused for ages. They came to an old bridge where they sat and watched the fish swimming in the water. They carried on down the riverbank and they saw a beautiful waterfall that had a little sandy beach at the end.

Alfie said, “I’m going for a paddle in the water.”

Alice followed.

The rag dolls splashed each other with water and got soaking wet and really enjoyed themselves. Afterwards they sat on the grass and dried themselves off. Alice said, “Look at the sun going down over the hill. Can we pitch the tent here tonight, Alfie? It is so lovely.”

“OK Alice. Let us do that,” answered Alfie.

The two rag dolls had fun and games putting up the tent. It was upside down, inside out. They just could not get it right. They just sat there looking at the tangled tent then Mr. Frank the Owl flew down and said, “I see you are having problems. I have seen all this before,” and then he showed them how to put up the tent. They were so grateful, they said, “Would you like some food and water?”

Mr. Frank replied, “Thank you.” They sat and ate the food and afterwards he flew off into the woods singing ta-wit-ta-woo. The owl returned with some lovely red plums to thank them for the food.

At that moment a tiny little deer came out of the woods. They only had water left but he was very grateful and he said, “I will stay with you all night along with the owl and keep you both safe.” And with that they all went off to sleep.

The next morning Alice and Alfie woke up to find the owl and the deer had gone. They packed up their tent and went on their way following the river. In the distance they saw a castle. It was beautiful and when they were close they could see that the river went all the way round. They also saw that there was no bridge to cross the water.

Alice said to Alfie, “I would love to go and see the castle,”

Alfie replied, “There is no way of getting to the other side, not even a boat.”

Just then from the top of the castle a swan flew down and landed next to them. “Do you wish to see the castle?” he said.

“Oh, yes please,” said Alice.

“Jump on my back then and I will fly you to the castle.” With that they went up, up and away.

The swan flew gracefully over the castle walls and landed in the courtyard of the castle. He said to them, “It is a magical castle. Just have fun and I will return later to take you back across the water.” Alice and Alfie thanked him and set off to explore.

The rag dolls walked up a wide stone staircase to a huge old wooden door. Alfie opened it slowly and they walked through into a big hall. At the end of the hall there were some puppets dressed as clowns. They were dancing to some music that was being played by two cats and their kittens. The cats were playing the drums and the kittens were playing whistle flutes. They asked Alice and Alfie to join in, Alice said, “We would love to.” and they danced and danced and danced.

After a while dancing, the rag dolls sat down on a bench. They were so worn out. Then all of a sudden some trumpets blew and the kittens shouted, “It’s the PRINCE.” The prince entered and sat down at the top of a long table. The rag dolls noticed that he looked just the same as the wood the table was made of. He told Alice and Alfie that he was indeed made out of wood – he was the Wooden Prince. He said, “Where do you come from?” They told him about the windmill and he said, “That sounds magical. I would love to see this windmill, but because I am made out of wood, I cannot go outside as my joints will rot in the wet and rain and so I stay indoors with all my friends.”

The prince invited the rag dolls to eat with him and as they ate he said, “Tell me more about your travels.”

Alice and Alfie told him all about Nichole and about all their adventures. They talked for a long time until it was dark outside. The Wooden Prince said they could stay the night and showed them to their bedroom.

Alice thanked him and they both fell fast asleep on a huge bed.

Alice and Alfie were woken soon after by a tapping sound on the window. The rag dolls looked out to see a glowing light. It was the moon and he said Jacques was on his way home and they must leave. The moon told them, “Close your eyes and make a wish, count to three and twitch your noses.” In no time at all they were back at the windmill. Alfie quickly put the tent into the barn and rushed upstairs with Alice. They had just climbed onto the windowsill as Jacques turned up in the van. “That was close,” said the moon. “Nichole says goodnight. God bless and sleep well.”

“Alice, we must go camping again. What fun!”