I have two grandchildren at the other end of the country. Nine hour drive, five hours on a train, or an hours flight . We have to stay in an air b and b because they live in a very small house with no spare room. So each visit cost hundreds of pounds. If we go for four nights it is five hundred for the air b and b plus about £200 for travel. Inevitably we end up paying for food or taking them for a meal etc . We stayed for a week last year and it cost £1500.
They visit about once a year as the expense of travel is a lot for them too and they don't want to drive. Because it's such a long way they stay at least a week, sometimes nearly two weeks which I find quite stressful as they turn the house upside down and it takes all day with two of us to get it tidy again when they leave. I'm finding it increasingly hard to cope with that.
I feel I'm really missing out on seeing them and feel very sad. If we visit every three months for a week that's about four grand ! We can afford it but it does seem like a huge expense especially since we aren't in the air b and b much at all.
We tried to move closer earlier this year but the situation has become complicated and we are stuck here. I feel really torn and upset about it all.
I just wonder what others on a similar position do. I have considered a travel lodge /premier inn but prefer to be able to make our own breakfast and maybe sit outside if there is a small garden.