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LOL Rwy'n eitha siwr taw ni oedd yr unig rhai yn siarad cymraeg yno!! Rwy'n cofio ti'n son am PNG - rwy'n cofio hefyd ti'n son am siarad yng nghymraeg gyda dy chwaer am pobol mewn parti a rhywun yn tori rownd a deall chi, ie?? PMSL!! Ti'n iawn, ddylsen i sgwennu am popeth sydd wedi digwydd i ni yma ond wir i ti, byddai pawb yn meddwl bod ni wedi dychmygu y cyfan, mae e i gyd mor wallgo!
wilf - my welsh is lazy sometimes (comes from rushing my MN doses in to 2 minute breaks and typing fast) but in my defence I can't translate sarajevo... and hassle is such a perfect word for what I was talking about!
Now, must get off this computer, get out of my pyjamas, tidy up my bungalow, eat some yoghurt, and maybe get romantic and invite my DH out to a disco later
Alcohol, pyjamas,yoghurt,snooker,bungalow, verandah, computer,disco, gull,romance,the list goes on and on and on and on.....
English is the most succesful language in the world by virtue of its ability to absorb and accommodate words from other languages. That's what healthy languages do.They grow and develop.
Y dau hanes yn ddiddorol dros ben W. (Ac ie, i 'there is power in being annoying!!!) Dyle ti sgwennu amdanynt. Dwi'n licio'r syniad o deulu Cymraeg yn Nghiwba. Tyfais i fyny yn PNG yn siarad Cymraeg.
wilfsell, what were you doing in the ty in the cwm with a pimp??
Ciwba achos cymrodd fy rhieni swyddi fel newyddiadurwyr yno am 2 flynedd... a trodd hwnna mewn i 5 mlynedd! Yn colli y lle yn fawr o hyd.
Roedd yr hassle fel rhywbeth mas o nofel neu ffilm, wir i ti! Ac yn y diwedd yr unig ffordd sortiais i fe mas oedd eistedd tu allan i swyddfa y gweinidog immigration yn sarajevo gyda DS am oriau nes roedd rhaid iddo fe siarad a fi a clywed y sefyllfa!! There is power in being annoying
y thread arall - treuliais i 5 mlynedd yn byw yng Nghiwba yn fy arddegau
popeth yn iawn yma... wel, newydd dod mas o cyfnod cas - hunllef immigration, rhyw fath o catch 22, gyda estronwyr Bosnia yn rhedeg mewn cylchoedd [grrr] a bron a gorfod gadael... ond heb law am 'ny mae newyddion hyfyrd 'da ni: rwy'n feichiog! Shhh!
The kids will love it Lucky. Do you know, all my kids want to do is sleep in a caravan!
Wellies, dwi ddim yn siwr eto-heb fod. mae dh yn hapus iawn. (Y ffaith bod ganddo yrrwr ac rhywun i gadw ty/siopa/coginio yn helpu llawer dwi'n siwr. Dwi'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr iawn at cael ddengyd o ddyletswyddau domestig am chwech wythnos fy hun!)
Sut mae pethau efo chdi? Y fab? Gwaith? Popeth! Yn gweld ar y 'thread' arall dy fod yn son am gael dy fagu tramor. Yn lle???
Yes Luckylady, I did live in Eastern Turkey. Now it is Bangladesh (some of the time). Will be off in a month. Grab ya as a suitable destination for your hols?
A quick reminder that Siblu is a Mumsnet partner and offers a 5% member discount, plus an extra discount if you book online. Use the code MUMNET when booking.
Also, Siblu (www.siblu.com) have two holiday parks on the Costa Daurada.
For example, Cambrils Park is a beautifully landscaped holiday park with a fantastic pool complex with waterslides and squirting elephants! Onsite facilities include tennis, football, mini-golf and a Tiger Club for five- to 12-year-olds, while the beach (800 m away) has a range of water sports. Self-catering is a piece of cake thanks to the park’s bakery and supermarket, and there’s also a restaurant and takeaway for eating out. From around £300, based on two adults and up to three children sharing a two-bedroom Esprit+ holiday home for seven-nights
On the theme park itself… There are five lands to explore – China, the Far West, Polynesia, Mexico and (for a thinly veiled dose of reality), the Mediterranean. With no less than eight loop-the-loops, the Dragon Khan rollercoaster used to be the ultimate thrill ride at PortAventura, but then along came Furius Baco which accelerates its passengers from 0 to 135 kph in three seconds. More stomach-clutching moments are available on Hurakan Condor, a 42-storey free-fall tower. Families with younger children will find plenty of softer options, including the Sea Odyssey submarine ride, spinning Armadillos and South Pacific dance show. In addition to three onsite hotels, PortAventura also boasts the Caribe Aquatic water park…
Hi all, After Will has posted an answer to Custardo he'll be logging off for a well deserved cuppa. Any other outstanding questions he'll send through to us at MNHQ and we'll put up on the thread.
Custy he is obviously typing a really really long and info-packed reply to you. I wouldn't rush him. It will be worth the wait, I'm sure. Especially coming from such a handsome man .
... and I'm trying to put off doing the packing involved for 2 adults and 4 kids going to Greece for a fortnight. (An island in the Cyclades, flight to Athens and then 2 hour ferry, private villa, in case William is interested )
Hi MarsLady Thank you for being so patient – and apologies for overlooking your question earlier (these live chats get a bit manic don’t they?!?!).
Sounds like you’ve got your hands full with five aged 4-16. You’re obviously going to be watching your budget so look out for companies that offer single-parent holiday discounts. I know I’ve already mentioned Eurocamp on this chat (I’m not being biased, honest!), but they not only offer such discounts, but they also might well provide the kind of holiday that will keep your tribe happy. They’ve got kids clubs for children aged 5 to 13+, some great locations across Europe and some late availability for this summer. Their packages can be combined with rail travel so you don’t have to drive either.
Now now custy, calm down. I haven't asked a question, so there is no queuejumping involved. I was just flinging out gratuitous (but well deserved) compliments because I am Such a Nice Person....
By AbbyMumsnet on Mon 07-Jul-08 14:13:09
(from MNHQ)
As you can see, Will is showing extraordinary dedication here and has promised to answer all queries posted... but please don't post any new ones! The man does have a home to go to at some point.
With a five-month-old (not yet crawling or walking), you’ll need to consider the best way of getting around New York. Obviously you’ll want your buggy/stroller, but I’d also suggest a papoose/baby carrier for extra maneuverability and also to get her above ‘exhaust pipe level’ as much as possible.
With a child of this age, city breaks can still be quite ‘grown-up’. Your daughter will (hopefully!) be content to be wheeled around the odd gallery or museum – perhaps during her daytime nap. Many of the city’s child-friendly attractions are geared for slightly older children (toddlers and up) with, for example, the American Museum of Natural History and Children’s Museum of Manhattan full of interactive activities. One place I’d definitely make a beeline for, however, is Central Park (www.centralpark.com) where you can visit the Children’s Zoo (64th St) or simply find a shady spot to roll out a rug and relax.
For restaurants, I’d recommend reading Frommer's New York City with Kids by Holly Hughes.
sorry if I am repeating any questions above but I have to fit this in to the last 3 mins!
we try and offer very family-friendly holidays, supplying equipment and offering advice on everything before and during the holidays, and ensuring thr trips fit in around the childrens' needs. However, the ocuntry we work from is still very new to holidaymakers. Any suggestions for encouraging families to take the first step, to travel to new places? Or do we have to wait for the more adventurous child-free travellers to 'open' it up?
Thanks very much to Will for his time and his advice. We'll ensure the remaining answers are put up on the thread. Thanks to everyone who posted questions too.
Wow - that hour went by fast. Thanks so much for all your questions. I WILL go through everything above and answer all the questions that have been posted... please bear with me. Thanks again and have a great holiday wherever you decide to go.
Pity we can't debate it further. Of course all families have different needs, and shoudl have whatever holidays they choose, whether it involves regimented entertainment <shudder> or carefreee mountain hiking!
You're absolutely right - kids can have just as much fun building a sandcastle for free in Lyme Regis as they can being entertained in a kids club at a five star resort on Antigua!
Different families want different things.
No time to debate this now, but happy to return to it later...
Also, another thought - if you are going to do Disney, when's the best time to go to miss the huge crowds? And is there anywhere else theme park wise that compares that isn't so busy? And... how best to do that mix of theme park and somewhere else nice out Florida way so that you keep both kids and parents happy? Orlando villas look so municipal.
Ah! Longhaul flights with toddlers! I was waiting for this one. Keeping a sense of humour is the best bit of advice I can give you! I could suggest things like surprise toys to keep them entertained (but they drop them, they roll off down the plane and you never see them again). In any case, they’ll be more interested in the detachable headrest covers…
But seriously, here are some of the tips for flying with children that I covered in my book, Travel with Kids:
At the time of booking • Budget for children under two paying 10% of the adult fare, but remember that they have to sit on your lap and are not usually given a food or baggage allowance. • Reserve seats so you can all sit together. If you are travelling with a baby, request bulkhead seats where bassinets can be fitted. Remember to obtain approval from the airline if you want to use your child’s car seat on the flight. • Pre-order children’s meals. • Check whether you can take your stroller to the boarding gate and where it will be available again after landing. • Find out what other special children’s facilities may be available, such as goodie bags, seat-back entertainment systems etc. • If possible, choose a daytime flight to minimise disturbance to sleeping routines. • Arrange a meet-and-greet service with an airport parking operator such as Purple Parking (purpleparking.com). You simply drop your car off at departures, someone parks it for you and then has it waiting at arrivals when you return.
Packing for the journey • Take all baby essentials in your hand luggage. • Pack a supply of healthy snacks. • Don’t forget to take a few sachets of Calpol (infants’ paracetamol). • Remember trainer cups with non-spill lids for toddlers. • Have a few boiled sweets handy to help ears pop during the final descent. • Pack a familiar pillow or soft toy to comfort and help children sleep. • Help children to pack their own small inflight backpack.
The day before flying • Try to keep things calm and normal. • Eat light, bland meals so as not to risk upset stomachs. • Sort out comfortable, loose-fitting clothes for the flight.
At the airport • Get there in plenty of time so you’re not stressed out or stuck at the back of a half-mile-long check-in queue. • Fit reins on toddlers to give them freedom – safely. • Find out if there’s a children’s play area. • Before boarding, always check the floor where you’ve been sitting – a favourite teddy or toy is bound to have been dropped there. • Make use of priority boarding for families with young children.
During the flight • Feed your baby on take-off and landing to reduce discomfort caused by changes in cabin pressure. • Don’t be afraid to ask flight attendants for help, warming baby food etc • Ensure your children drink little and often to ward off dehydration. • Don’t drug your child with medicines, such as Piriton, unless you’ve tried them before flying. Although they can help some children sleep, other side effects include irritability or short-lived deep sleep followed by hyperactivity. • Do try natural relaxants, such as lavender oil or camomile tea. • If the cabin’s dry air causes discomfort to your child’s nose, lips or sinuses, try getting them to breathe through a handkerchief soaked in a little water. • Don’t expect a toddler to be absorbed with one activity for the duration of the entire flight – bring lots of toys, books and snacks to distract and amuse them. • Take kids to the toilet well before the seatbelt signs come on for the final descent. • Respect the comfort of other passengers by dealing firmly with unacceptable behaviour (such as children kicking the seat in front), but be prepared for some people to give you the ‘raised eyebrow’ treatment merely at the sight of your little darlings. • Remember, the more you tell kids not to press the hostess call button the more they will do it.
Coping with jetlag • Trans-continental, overnight flights will leave your children flagging, but try to keep them going during your first day. Help their body clocks readjust by getting outside, doing some moderate exercise and drinking plenty of water. A few gentle hours in a local park is ideal. There’s nothing wrong with them grabbing a short nap, but try to get them to bed at the same time as they would back home. Then just pray that they sleep through.
Hello ginghamgiraffe. Great to get your question. We took our twins to Naples and Puglia when they were 15 months old – so a bit older than your son, but I can completely sympathise with your dilemmas. I’m sure you’ve already thought (and packed!) lots of these, but for keeping cool:
- take a sun canopy/parasol for your buggy - loose 100 per cent cotton clothing is cooler - avoid midday sun - check out www.thekidswindow.co.uk – they have a range of sun-protection suits, hats, creams, baby sunglasses etc for babies - SPF 50 beach tent/UV tent is a good idea for instant shade wherever you are - here’s a nifty idea (although we haven’t tried this one ourselves) – it’s called Wallaboo – an infant car seat cover that absorbs heat and keeps babies cool.
In Naples, we often sought out churches and cloisters – always cool and shady! As for essential kit to make the journey easier – familiar comfort toy, plenty of wet wipes and changing gear (in a backpack), change of clothes etc, roll-up play mat. A baby sling/papoose is a good idea, fold-up stroller.
I suppose, more than anything, the city break embodies those heady days of pre-parenthood when, as a carefree couple, you could nip off to Paris or Rome with nothing more than an overnight bag and a pair of theatre tickets. You could dawdle over lunch, go shopping and take in an art gallery or two. With youngsters in tow it can become more like a city breakdown as you haul your bored offspring from one museum to another, desperately trying to do the sights between tantrums. The mistake new parents make (and I am as guilty as any) is to try to recapture the essence of a city break as it was before they had children. It rarely works.
The key to remaining sane in the city, we’ve found, is to re-prioritise. Don’t scour the city map for galleries and museums until you’ve pinpointed the parks, public toilets, family-friendly restaurants and nearest toy shop. As tempting as that new Picasso exhibition may be, begin your city escapade with something for the kids, whether it’s a hands-on exhibition, boat ride, trip to the zoo or making brass rubbings in the cathedral. With a bit of forward planning you can also pick out those major sites that have child-friendly activities, such as quiz sheets, craft areas, interactive exhibits etc
The cost issue. Yes, you're right, family accommodation in cities can be horrendously expensive. But there are alternatives. In Paris, for example, Eurocamp have a site in Maison Lafitte with excellent rail connections to the city centre, from £241 for seven nights in a two-bedroom mobile home.
By YellowBrickRoad on Fri 04-Jul-08 14:55:25 I'm on a strict budget this summer and am already panicking at the prospect of 6 weeks with no-where to go. Any tips on some great UK or Europe based hols that won't break the bank, preferably where I can escape the crowds too! Just incase you missed me earlier! Thanks for the help so far...
Do you think it justifiable that family brands like First Choice should charge a surplus of almost £40 to sit families together on their flights? Is this not against CAA guidelines?
Hello ginghamgiraffe. And hello, too, to Tenmoreminutes! Great to get your questions. We took our twins to Naples and Puglia when they were 15 months old – so a bit older than your son, but I can completely sympathise with your dilemmas. I’m sure you’ve already thought (and packed!) lots of these, but for keeping cool:
- take a sun canopy/parasol for your buggy - loose 100 per cent cotton clothing is cooler - avoid midday sun - check out www.thekidswindow.co.uk – they have a range of sun-protection suits, hats, creams, baby sunglasses etc for babies - SPF 50 beach tent/UV tent is a good idea for instant shade wherever you are - here’s a nifty idea (although we haven’t tried this one ourselves) – it’s called Wallaboo – an infant car seat cover that absorbs heat and keeps babies cool.
In Naples, we often sought out churches and cloisters – always cool and shady!
With its pavement mosaics, street performers and market stalls, the 1km pedestrian thoroughfare of La Rambla is a good starting point for exploring Barcelona. At the harbour end, the 80m tall Monument a Colom offers views towards the otherworldly spires of Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, while nearby Port Vell has an aquarium, IMAX cinema and even a moored submarine. A second day in Barcelona could easily be spent exploring Castell de Montjuïc (reached by cable-car) and the open-air cultural museum of Poble Espanyol. As a reward for all that city sightseeing, take the funicular to the Tibidabo funfair.
Get hold of a Barcelona Card (available from tourist office) for free public transport as well as discounted entry to attractions.
Hello Will, I'd love to go to Italy but I have 2 small children. Any top tips on how to keep kids entertained on a city break? Also is there such a thing as a cheap city break? Even two nights seems to be a small fortune for such a short break...
It's not necessary to go to places with specific children's features and entertainment is it? Kids have fun anywhere. Surely it's nothing more than another way to make us part with our money and make the cost of the holiday spiral upwards?
Hi Bizageza. It’s still going to be warm in Crete and other southern Med destinations. For something more exotic (but not flying too far in half term) you could consider Egypt or Jordan which won’t have the stifling temperatures of mid-summer. Plenty of Red Sea resorts have excellent children’s facilities. Dubai would also be an good bet – loads to keep the kids occupied (Wild Wadi water park etc) and some amazing hotels.
Hi YellowBrickRoad. Great to hear you’ve still got the ‘wanderlust’! You’re absolutely right, most family adventure operators have a minimum age, although it’s often as low as five or six. There are one or two companies, however, that offer ‘infant adventures’ for families with children as young as two. If you can wait for your one-year-old to reach that age, then Families Worldwide (www.familiesworldwide.co.uk) and The Adventure Company (www.adventurecompany.co.uk) can whisk you off to places like Morocco, Egypt, Jordan and Sri Lanka. Families Worldwide, for example, has a nine-day trip (minimum age two) to Sri Lanka, based at a south-coast beach club with optional excursions inland from around £899 per adult and £769 per child including flights.
Hi Will, I find the whole concept of travelling with my kids a bit of a nightmare tbh, do you have any top tips on how to handle long haul flights with toddlers or how NOT to take half the contents of your house with you?
Hi Willow. Two places keep springing to mind as I read your questions: South Africa and Namibia. The Cape Provinces of South Africa are malaria free, as is the Madikwe/Waterberg region to the northwest of Jo’burg. We’ve taken our twins to both areas and they are fantastic family holiday destinations.
If you pick the Cape, for example, you can combine the Cape Peninsula (brilliant Two Oceans Aquarium at Cape Town, swimming with penguins at Boulders, visiting Robben Island [for older KS2’s] and taking the cable car up Table Mountain) with a self-drive tour of the Garden Route (dolphin watching at Plettenberg Bay, shell-seeking at Nature’s Valley, steam train ride at Knysna) with a safari in one of the reserves to the north of Port Elizabeth. Some of the private ones, like Madikwe and Shamwari, can be pricey but you’ll get superb accommodation and wonderful guides who will capture your children’s imagination with nuggets of bushlore.
In Northwest South Africa, stay at Madikwe Safari Lodge and kids can qualify as ‘Planet Managers’, while Ant’s Nest offers a home-from-home experience deep in the African bush. To cap it all, the water wonderland of Sun City makes a convenient stopover en route to your safari.
We found Namibia had similar appeal to South Africa with good infrastructure for independent touring and excellent value family accommodation. Windhoek won’t leave your kids gawping (unless they’re into German colonial architecture), but Swakopmund is Adrenaline Central with all kinds of activities, from paragliding and kayaking to dune-boarding and 4x4 tours along the Skeleton Coast. Malaria is present in northern and eastern parts of Namibia, particularly from November to June, so that may strike Etosha National Park from your itinerary. Ultimately, though, a family trip to Namibia is about getting sand between your toes (and just about everywhere else). Sossusvlei’s giant sand dunes are the setting for the world’s ultimate roly-poly.
Out of Africa, malaria-free top spots would have to include the northeast coast of Brazil. Praia do Forte Ecoresort (www.ecoresort.com.br) has a good range of accommodation and is close to a turtle conservation project. You can learn to snorkel in reef-protected lagoons, visit the Historic District of Salvador, go humpback whalewatching (July to October) and explore the ruins of the medieval Garcia d’Avila castle.
Moving on to your general point about malaria, I think it’s too serious to ever stop worrying about it, particularly with very young children who are unlikely to relish the prospect of being smothered in mossie repellant or taking anti-malarials! We’ve taken our children to malaria zones a few times and even when you take every precaution (covering up at dusk, treating clothing with premetherin etc) you still find yourself lashing out at every winged insect that passes within a few feet of them. It’s not my job to give medical advice, but all I would say is think hard before taking children under five to a malaria zone and speak to your doctor/health advisor well in advance of your trip.
Hi Rowlers (question posted Friday). Thanks for your question. How about Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia?!?! No, I’m serious! This little trio of Baltic countries has sandy beaches, comfortable summer temperatures (mid 20 degrees), activities like cycling and canoeing to keep the kids happy, lots of cultural interest, quirky self-catering places to stay, direct flights PLUS they’re good value. According to specialist tour operator, Baltic Holidays (www.balticholidays.com) “In the Baltics it is possible for a whole family of four to have a 3 course meal, with drinks and still have change from a £20 note.”
But having said that, if you do end up returning to Wales this summer I shouldn’t worry – we’re going camping in Pembrokeshire/the Gower ourselves and I reckon you’d be hard-pressed to find more beautiful and child-friendly beaches anywhere in Europe – or the world for that matter.
On your second point about what’s the best way to book a holiday and ensure you get what you think you’re going to get, personal recommendations can be like gold dust. Also, check whether the operator is affiliated to an organization like AITO (www.aito.co.uk) where the members are not only passionate about their destinations and offer advice based on first-hand experience, but they are also bound by a strict code for providing clear and accurate information about their holidays.
Hi Nbg (question posted Sat 10.42), you raise a really important point. I think the whole ‘expense’ issue is going to be a recurring theme in this discussion – family holidays aren’t cheap, but as you found by splitting costs in Majorca, there are ways you can save money. Here are some other general tips which I hope you’ll find useful:
1. Trawl the internet for bargains. It sounds obvious, but this is where you’ll find special online deals, which can range from free child places to extra days. 2. You can’t beat the self-drive, self-catering option for a great-value family holiday. Simply throw some camping gear into the back of your car and mainland Europe is yours for a fraction of the cost of a package deal. 3. With pre-school children you can dodge high-season premiums and take them on holiday whenever you choose. But even when you’re confined to school holidays it is still worth being selective about when you travel. For example, the last week in August is usually cheaper than the first and you may also find that mid-week flights offer better value than weekend ones. 4. Choose countries where the pound is strong and the cost of living is low. Turkey and Tunisia, for example, are relatively cheap compared to more traditional Mediterranean destinations like Greece and Spain. For long haul, consider Brazil and Mexico – both represent excellent value and have plenty to offer families. If it’s warm winter beaches you’re after, think Goa rather than the Caribbean. And if you’re set on a safari, opt for countries like Namibia or South Africa where it’s easier and cheaper to do-it-yourself, compared to pricier, all-inclusive options in Botswana and Zambia. With the dollar at 2.0 to the pound, the United States is another good bet for eking out the family holiday fund – particularly if you shop around for cheap flights to the east coast.
What suggestions do you have for a warm holiday (ideally with seaside swimming) in October half term. Having endured a British summer I think we'll need something to brighten us up . Children are 2 and a half, 7 and nearly 10
Hi there luckylady74, how about this: Go Camping (www.gocampinguk.co.uk) offers ready-pitched tents at four locations in Suffolk from £319 per week during the high season. Or if you can stretch your budget (and your legs!), you can join a self-guided cycle tour staying at all four campsites! Each tent comes with four campbeds (with pillows), plus fridge, BBQ, electric lights and even somewhere to charge your mobile.
And to answer question 2… hmmmm, I wonder if Croatia might fit the bill? Or for something more far-flung, Zanzibar certainly has that mix of beaches, history, kid-friendly resorts and superb snorkeling that you’re looking for.
Hi everyone. Thanks for inviting me on to this chat. Looks like there are lots of questions already, so I’ll get cracking on…
By AbbyMumsnet on Mon 07-Jul-08 13:01:06
(from MNHQ)
Hi all,
Right, well we're delighted to say that the award winning travel journalist, William Gray is here now and ready to answer all your queries. Be gentle with him!
By MarsLady on Fri 04-Jul-08 12:00:30 So William: How about travelling alone with 5 children ranging between 4 and 16? Any suggestions (other than "stay home you fool!")
sorry Moondog - I obviously didn't recall correctly as I thought you lived/ travelled somewhere like Turkey. Tbh I just need to calm down, book stuff and prepare my son!
Another one! Do you think it's worth hanging on til the last minute to get cheaper deals or is that a bit of a myth these days? (especially in the summer hols)
Thanks Overmydeadbody - I think it's a confidence thing, it's easy to stick to places that scream 'kids club' or 'family entertainment' and the fact is that travelling with kids in the holidays is sooo expensive, I don't want to waste my money or the precious holiday time we have so I guess I'm looking for some inspiration!
(Gingamgirrafe -not to steal WG's thunder, but if it is seriously hot and you are BFing, take a muslin, soak it, then ring it right out and wrap your DS in it when you feed him. I did this a lot feeding DD in Austraia, when she just wouldn't settle for a feed as she felt so hot with me holding her. The damp muslin also helps if draped over the buggy or tied to the side of the cot or whatever, just keeps the air a bit cooler.)
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