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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To drive 11 hours to Northern Scotland with 3 DC and a puppy?

94 replies

Carlia · 05/06/2012 19:42

My Granny lives in Northern Scotland and would like us to visit her this Summer like we did last Summer. We would all love to but I;m not sure DH and I can face the 11 hour car journey.

DH and I have 3 DC (18 months, 4 and 6), last year we went on the plane but because we have a dog this year we can't and would need to drive.... It will cost a fortune in overnight stop overs (we plan 2 each way), a roof rack plus box and petrol, the only available cottage is also very expensive, (£1000 for the stay) and we just don't have much money at the moment.... My Grandma has offered to help us with the finances as she is desperate to see us all but we don't feel comfortable accepting her money.

The journey is going to be a nightmare, our youngest DS screams if he is in the car for more than an hour....

She thought it was a bad idea us getting a puppy as we already have 3 DC and now it seems as though we have put the dog before her if we don't go because the drive will be awful IYSWIM?

OP posts:

Geordieminx · 05/06/2012 19:43

Kennel for puppy?

BsshBossh · 05/06/2012 19:44

Could you drive at night so they fall asleep?

squeakytoy · 05/06/2012 19:45

House sitter who will look after puppy in his own surroundings. Then fly up.

Original poster

Carlia · 05/06/2012 19:45

Puppy is only 8 weeks old and just settling in so I think he's too young to go in a kennel.

We were thinking about driving overnight, from 6pm to 6am, not sure it that would be a bit ambitious though!

OP posts:

GooseRocks · 05/06/2012 19:46

Leave the puppy at home (friend?) and fly.

RepublicaEuphemia · 05/06/2012 19:47

I wouldn't drive up the A9 at night.

JsOtherHalf · 05/06/2012 19:48

Get grandma to visit you?

wigglybeezer · 05/06/2012 19:49

Get a family railcard , get DH to drive up with the puppy and meet you at the station nearest your grannies, travel on the train with plenty of games, toys and snacks and your undivided attention. We intend to do the reverse in the summer cos we have three DS 's , no puppy but one is a teenager which is worse. My DH is looking forward to a peaceful drive listening to podcasts and stopping when he feels like it. My lot are always better behaved in the train than the car, I have even been complemented by old ladies. I think they don't like being horrid with an audience!

GooseRocks · 05/06/2012 19:50

Where did you get puppy? Would breeder look after it for you if you paid them?

To be blunt, what you are planning sounds madness to me. Agree with Euphemia.

Original poster

Carlia · 05/06/2012 19:50

Thanks for all your advice guys. I just feel like I have let my Grandma down a bit if we don't go.

Yes DH and I were saying she should come here but she is 83 and not sure she would cope well with the journey/flight.

OP posts:

Original poster

Carlia · 05/06/2012 19:52

GooseRocks - I know, it does sound complete madness, the thought of it is scaring me!

OP posts:

marilynmonroe · 05/06/2012 19:52

We did this journey the other week from London to achiltibuie and we had one stop over in Edinburgh. Have you thought about DVDs in the back seats. We usually do the drive from London to Edinburgh at night so dcs sleep We did it recently in 6 hours as there was no traffic! Prob get a speeding ticket!

The roof rack does eat up petrol though. Can you not get house sitter for puppy and then fly?

RepublicaEuphemia · 05/06/2012 19:52

Where does she live, Carlia?

squeakytoy · 05/06/2012 19:53

I always have a housesitter for my dog when we go away. It means I dont have to worry about my dog being lonely and miserable in kennels, and I can enjoy my trips.

SharonGless · 05/06/2012 19:53

My parents live NE Scotland and regularly go back and forth. I really would second the railcard and train. Least stressful way I have found to travel- never taken a puppy though

wigglybeezer · 05/06/2012 19:54

You could get the sleeper, I have done it with children. I didn't have the best nights sleep but the children slept like logs. They give you interconnecting cabins if you travel with kids ( wee one would be free I think). Cheaper than an overnight stop and not too bad if you buy well in advance. Again, get someone to drive the car up, 11 hours is a breeze with no kids in the back.

We did a 12 hour drive to Cornwall on the hottest day of the year once, I had to spray the kids with water from a spray bottle!

pinkyp · 05/06/2012 19:56

I agree kennels or accept your grand kind jesture & maybe find a cheap hotel to stop in there & back

RepublicaEuphemia · 05/06/2012 19:58

We used to do 8-hour car journeys when I was a kid: Mum, Dad, me and DB fighting in the back plus two dogs all in a Mini! Hell on earth!

splashymcsplash · 05/06/2012 19:58

How about a friend looking after the dog? I'm sure you would have lots of friends who would love the company of a puppy!

Or take the rail. Depending on where you are and where you are going you can take an overnight train which are very civilised. I've taken them twice and loved it. The children will think its an adventure!

Original poster

Carlia · 05/06/2012 20:00

RepublicaEuphemia - She lives 90 mins drive North of Inverness, pretty far!

wigglybeezer - Looked into the sleeper but it is very expensive, would also mean we would have to hire a car when we got there, may actually work out cheaper and more stress free though!

OP posts:

maybenow · 05/06/2012 20:01

sleeper train to inverness / fort william?

or.. hire a camper van and make the trip the holiday, take it REALLY slowly and just see granny for a day or two in the middle.. if you drive for five days that's less than 100 miles (or two hours) driving per day. It could be a real adventure for the older kids.

BikeRunSki · 05/06/2012 20:02

We drove from huddersfield to Fort William at the w/e with a 3yo and a 7 month old. We broke the journey at Glasgow East Premier Inn, which was very nice, and cheap and is seconds off the M74. This broke the driving into manageable chunks. Could this be a possibility if you can get kennels for your dog?

everythingtodo · 05/06/2012 20:05

Sorry cant see how this is a holiday without flying. Leaving at 5.30 am works for us. Lift in jammies they are stupified, stop at 9am 200 miles under the belt. Another3 or so hours and youve done 400 miles by early afternoon. Stop for the day and have a proper afternoon and evening. Then 150/200 the next day. Where roughly are you headed and from where? Not sure how the 18mth will cope though

TitsalinaBumSquash · 05/06/2012 20:06

I drove 11 hrs to aberdeen from west Sussex (Chichester) a week before Christmas with DP and 2 DSs, in a tiny Nissan Micra with a roof box on. It's was great, we drove at night so the kids slept, we stopped 3 times for snacks. Toilets and to stretch out legs.
We spent 10 days over Xmas with my best friends then drive home NYD, in the day time, again the kids slept and the rest of the time they talked about the scenery. Space was a struggle with luggage but it was one hell of an adventure

Original poster

Carlia · 05/06/2012 20:08

Do you think it would be unreasonable of us not to go?

OP posts:

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