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Original poster

Holiday in less than 24 yours and im feeling nervous

19 replies

Woodward23 · 02/04/2023 02:52

Tomorrow we go to quiet little part of Devon its a 7 hour drive from us. We have a dog and kids and have spent a good chunk of money(£900) on this luxury accommodation with private pool and hot tub, im really nervous though and I don't know why I think its because of the drive down and how long its going to take plus the dog and kids. Or is it because of what we've spent and want the place to live up to its reviews.
Have you had such a long drive before

OP posts:
TinaYouFatLard · 02/04/2023 03:01

Feeling nervous and feeling excited are very similar. Have a wonderful time.

HoppingPavlova · 02/04/2023 03:12

Have you had such a long drive before

😂Yes, but where I’m from it wouldn’t be classed as such by many.

You don’t mention the ages of your kids. I found these drives irritating when the kids were small as we tend to have toilets/rest stops roughly every 200 miles apart here on these sorts of trips. When the kids were primary school age it was okay as they understood they needed to go to the loo when we stopped, as next stop wouldn’t be for 3hrs odd. Then everyone would go to the loo, quick leg stretch and swap drivers and be off. Below primary school age was crap as we would get 40mins on and one would say they needed the loo. Then another one an hour on from that. Not their fault, little bladders and all that but bloody irritating.

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 02/04/2023 03:29

I'm in the US and split my time between a home in New England and one in Florida, which means I drive (one way) roughly 22 hours multiple times per year. One German Shepherd, no kids, one husband😀. Don't mind it at all, but would probably feel differently with kids.

OP, sounds like you've planned a really lovely holiday. A private pool sounds fantastic. You'll get thru the ride and I'm sure you'll have a great time - enjoyl

GulfCoastBeachGirl · 02/04/2023 03:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

dudsville · 02/04/2023 04:07

The travelling day of a holiday is often a little fraught. It's likely something won't go to plan. If you can, try to get your mindset into going with it and having fun. I recently spoke with someone who had what I would class as a terrible time on holiday but i was impressed by the way she followed her tale of woe with the details of what she enjoyed about the trip.

AmberGer · 02/04/2023 04:40

When we have a long journey we find a town, mid way along the route not far from the motorway and stop off there for a couple of hours.
We have lunch, a wander round, maybe even find a park for the kids usually by a riverside, have fish and chips. Or once when the weather wasn't great, we went to a nice wetherspoons in Tewkesbury. Then continue our journey.

elodiesmith · 02/04/2023 04:55

I'd be nervous too if I had to stay in a place with a hot tub

elodiesmith · 02/04/2023 04:56

In seriousness, it all depends on your kids' ages.
My little one is 9 months old and I couldn't drive for longer than an hour with him

Mumma · 02/04/2023 05:55

Sounds lovely! Have a great time.

It's no worse than flying to the US/Mexico for a holiday, think of it that way.

littlelovely · 02/04/2023 06:20

I thought when I clicked on the post that it would be about a long haul, multi city adventure holiday…not a drive to Devon! Don’t worry - you can go at your own pace and have all you need to hand in the car. We often stop at National Trust places as we are members and the fresh air does everyone good.

Don’t get caught up in expectations about the accommodation and the cost. Money is spent and you’re the one in control of whether or not you have a good time. If it isn’t ‘perfect’ don’t let that ruin things. Your mood will set the tone!

We spent a month travelling with a 4 year old and 9 month old. Several long journeys. Plenty of stops, snacks, singing and Spotify for nursery rhymes and stories saved us!

Silkierabbit · 02/04/2023 06:39

Have a lovely time. We did similar one year and week with the indoor pool in Devon was lovely, there in August, the drive down with 2 kids was a bit challenging with squabbles. Next year we did it we stopped overnight half way at holiday Inn with pool and kids in own room and that was much better. Also the 7 hour drive with traffic was a 9 hour drive. Way back was 7 hours and fine. Maybe consider a break on way down like a couple of hours where you walk dog and kids get to move and have a meal that might help. Otherwise things in car to entertain kids and drinks and snacks.

user1492757084 · 02/04/2023 06:46

Have a wonderful time.

Leave early so you can drive at your leisure.

itsgettingweird · 02/04/2023 07:36

When I go away with a long drive I leave really early.

Pack car night before.

Leave at 4/5am after chucking kids in car with blankets and still in PJs (or Chuck them into bed in tracksuits they can travel in!)

Drive for 3 hours or so and stop for breakfast. Have a wander around and stretch and then drive at 9am ish for another 2 hours. Stop for another run around and then drive until you arrive.

I also take a packed lunch so you can arrive and have that and a stretch as accommodation isn't usually ready until 3.

Original poster
Woodward23 · 02/04/2023 08:02

Thanks all for calming me..sorry yes kids ages are 6+10 .were leaving at 8am

OP posts:
hopeishere · 02/04/2023 08:17

£900 sounds a bargain for a pool and hot tub! I know the pressure of checking and checking and googling and google mapping the place you've rented. If you've done your research it will be fine!

There's a great services in Gloucester if you're stopping and coming in that direction.

You can always buy anything you've forgotten. Have a great time.

ActDottie · 02/04/2023 08:53

When we do long drives we try to find somewhere on the way (normally national trust) to stop at to grab a coffee and walk the dogs. Always works well and helps split up the journey :)

Antiquiteas · 02/04/2023 09:01

Seven hours isn’t particularly long in the grand scheme of things. Stop every few hours for a drink, wee and leg stretch.

LemonDrizzle10 · 02/04/2023 09:03

That sounds like a wonderful place to be heading to! Pack loads of snacks and get a few games ready for in the car. Stop every couple of hours for comfort breaks, coffee stops. Sort out some dinner and breakfast for the following morning that you can take with you so you have nothing to think about for the first night. I’d suggest some bubbly to enjoy in the hot tub. Take the kids swimming goggles to use in the hot tub.

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 02/04/2023 09:04

I always treat the drive as part of the holiday adventure. Just listen to the radio... chat... play silly eye spy games. And of course a stop at a service station for goodies and silly holiday purchases.

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