To drive to Central France with 2 kids for a holiday alone

[Eeekblunders]

I'm anxious that it's a terrible idea. I'd be the only adult. It's a caravan holiday and I can't decide if we'd just be better off at home. I've tried asking friends but none are available. The weather looks ok ish.

I drive home to the UK (8 hours) with DS alone op. And through France. Motorways are brilliant.

Planning is key...pillows and blankets in the car. Good music, tablets, entertainment etc

Make things accessible to the dc like water, fruit, snacks etc.

Plan plenty of stops, be kind to yourself and take it easy. BB hotels are cheap, clean and plentiful for overnight stops.

Don't forget you need the safety kit - triangles, hi viz for everyone etc and you must take two of those disposable breathalysers in the car at all times.

Check your insurance too.

DS and I will drive down to Italy soon for a break. It's a great adventure.

If this is your first solo trip driving in France I think Gueret is a little far without a stop over. Why don't you book a campsite within an hour or two of Calais to dip your toe in the water? And somewhere you will meet people. Bit cold in April though.

Eurostar?

Y Y try and avoid the squatting loos, I peed on my shoes last time

Seen where you are now, If you're worrying about too long in a remote place could you stop do a mini trip to somewhere like Futurescope on one leg of the journey? So cut the caravan stay short by a night or two. Depends on money and which port of course.

Fishybits the really old stinky vile ones were my nightmare. These days my nemesis are the over enthusiastic self cleaning versions, if you have peed on your shoes stay in one of those

I took mine in a campervan for three days almost solid driving last October, England to the French Jura via Belgium and Luxembourg. I was terrified but we survived / had fun!

DS2 made up songs on the way, they were truly terrible but the radio gave up three hours into the journey. We had no in car charger so technology was out of the question for the most part though we could charge them overnight so had short rations of ipad usage. We had to stop frequently as the fuel gauge doesn't work on the van and I have no idea how big the tank is and we had no sat nav as mine doesn't work unless you plug it in first.. no cigarette lighter, no sat nav. We bought maps and had to learn how to navigate by map! The children were amazing, much more patient and tolerant than they usually are on short journeys. We stopped off at random places along the way which helped break it up.

If I ever get my French plates sorted we are off again for Easter...

I would be most concerned about the ferry crossing and extra security checks, or the risk of being near one of Marine Le Pen's election rallies myself.

The French roads are much easier than the Uk, and others have made some sensible ideas about food and where to stop.

I agree with pp that planning the journey is key.

This year was my first as a single parent to my dc ages 9,8,3.

We just went from Liverpool to Inverness for half term. The journey was 10 hrs inc stops for food etc.

Plan when/ where you'll stop to eat, stretch legs, relieve boredom!

I downloaded several audiobooks onto the kids tablets and they listened to them on headphones during the journey. I also kept them up late the night before so they slep for good chunks (esp the 3 year old).

They dealt with the journey far better than I though they would, even the 3 yo!

It was such an adventure and gave me so much confidence about taking them anywhere. I've just booked a Euro camp site in Holland for August and can't wait.

Good luck!!! Xxx

My issue is also once I'm there.
The caravan is attached to an old building. I'd have to turn on / off water supply, electricity... I don't want to sound like a sissy. But I've not done it before. No water= no toilet working!!!! Add rain and cold children??
Plus no electricity if I'm not able to sort out the myriad of plug sockets and crossed wires.

Yeah, that is a pain:

1. You've never done the elec and water bit before, if it goes wrong you have no experience to put it right. I do understand your worry, my inlaws have a mobile and a few times I've been the first one to switch it all on but I've not been a day or two from home. Relying on instructions over the phone can be hard for both parties, I'm speaking as so one who has often had to give tech support over the phone . Probably fine but could be something that requires an expert and takes a day or two.
2. You've not done the European driving bit with kids alone.
3. You have concerns about being in a remote place and entertaining kids for a holiday.

It could go well, hideous or somewhere in between. If it were me I would think about if it all goes wrong, or it takes time to sort out, could I cope:

1. Money? Can I afford to do emergency hotels if it all fails and we need to go home. Up to €100 a night for motel and food allowance. Any extra for ferry crossing changes?
2. Can we eat? Cooking, do I have a basic emergency gas hob with me,. Or is there a Decathlon / supermarket near where I can pick up something to cook on and can I afford it. Suitcase stove and gas canisters, cheap really
3. Toilet? If private land for a short period can we bucket for wee, safetly squat, bury, compost? If on very basic site there should be some facilities, or help.
4. Water? If I can't plug the van in can I get to enough safe water. Can I buy a water canister if there's not one there.

I think that would be it for me. If there are problems can we drink, eat and shit then afford to get home.

If you do have a bit of spending money it may be worth looking at Eurocamp type places in Normandy and Brittany, or Jura, outer Paris. Some will just be opening and you can get a bargain, especially if you don't mind a pre-erected tent relying on campsite toilets.

Also Yelloh, Venue, Roan, Vacansoleil, Canvas, suncamp, Castel, campeole and others.

I'm driving to Normandy in a couple of weeks, just me and ds (11) to a Eurocamp site. We did the Netherlands via Calais a couple of years ago and it was fine, although it was the first time I'd driven abroad without another adult with me and I was nervous, but I actually enjoyed it once I relaxed. Dreading this holiday however, but that's because my back is horrendously painful at the minute and I'm not looking forward to an 8 hour drive!

Re turning on/off water and electricity. This is usually a case of turning/flipping a knob or switch. Do you know where these are located? If not, ask before you go. Put a reminder on your phone to turn off again before you go, so you don't have to worry about forgetting.
You sound as if you are getting a bit overwhelmed, worrying about lots of things because you haven't done them yourself before. Sort out what you can ahead of time, lots of good advice on here. Have a back-up plan (emergency phone contact and money, knowing where alternative accommodation is/activities are, etc), then try to stop worrying so much and enjoy. You'll be fine.

THanks for the great advice!
I do know where they and I've decided I'm going!!!!!!

Good! It sounds like an adventure!

I wasn't on my own when we took the DCs to France (South end of Brittany) but DH did all the driving (I could have driven, but he never felt the need to swap). The DCs (2&4) were great in the back. They were still entertained by the sight of things like tractors. Now (4&6) they're getting more squabbly in the car. The crossing that suited us involved a long drive to Plymouth then an overnight stay on the ferry, so the journey was rested without time wasting.

On long journeys in the UK, we've taken to finding a National Trust place (we have a family card) near the motorway and having a good break there for a couple of hours. Similar cost in food to services, but much nicer and the DCs get a good romp around. It gives more purpose to what is otherwise a day of travel. I don't know if that approach is adaptable for you.

I'm going on the Euro tunnel I think.
I don't want to faff on the overnight ferry.
I think leaving at3:00 am/ tunnel at 5:00am then drive 5:30 hrs. Obvs stop for lunch.

One thing I'll say eek is that 50miles per hour, excluding breaks is a good rule of thumb. Some bits you will whizz at 120 in 90 mins, others you will encounter jams, peage queues, detour to avoid the periphique or the periphique itself. We usually do take that route but you might not want to the first time.

We usually get a 7.30/8 chunnel and arrive just outside Limoges between 4/5pm with a couple of leisurely stops en-route.

I don't know where Guerret is but you say it's in the Centre. We live in the Centre and it takes us 4 hours max from the tunnel.

The weather has been fab this weekend btw.

Guerret is just north of Limoges. We do that drive often en-route to the Languedoc. It's about 450 miles. If you can do that in four hours I take my hat off to you.

I don't live in Limoges!