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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to drive 5hrs with baby in this heat?

126 replies

Tully42 · 16/06/2022 15:02

Fully prepared to be told IABU but my decision is my decision - so on that score it's final but I just wanted to test where I sat in relation to others.

So journey is from London to Newcastle to visit friends for the weekend for a special event. Plans made ages ago. DH referring to it as a bucket item type event.

I've pulled out because I don't want to do that drive on my own in this heat with a 1yr old. My car is fine but it's not got any real frills to it - I.e no fancy air con. It blows cold air but not exactly air con. If you're hot you put the windows down. If we got stuck in traffic or broke down I can imagine it being a world of pain with the baby.

DH is currently working in Birmingham - so we're in two seperate cars to travel. DH is still going to the special event it's just I won't be there.

Really I wanted to hear whether others wouldn't give that drive in this weather a second thought- = YABU

Or whether most would be with me on this and would also be pulling out too = YANBU

If you have a swanky car with great air con your views don't count (as much! Haha.)

OP posts:
Starryskiesinthesky · 16/06/2022 18:08

Sounds like you're not fussy for going otherwise you'd make it happen - lots of very manageable things you could do.

So not unreasonable not to want to go but unreasonable to blame it on the temperature.

garlictwist · 16/06/2022 18:10

It might be hot in London but it isn't up north. I think you will be fine. My car doesn't have air con but if you have the windows down on the motorway or A1 you'll be fine.

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 16/06/2022 18:16

Well if you really wanted to go you'd find a way - drive to Brum and go up with DH for instance - but you've decided not to go in any case so not sure why you need to know if you're BU?

QuestionableMouse · 16/06/2022 18:20

psychopompos · 16/06/2022 16:43

What's this car that simultaneosly has and doesn't have air conditioning an its windows don't go down?

My Aunt has an "analogue" C1. Only a three door, so no window in the back, and a blower that does cold but not AC.

I got stuck on Sat in a five hour traffic jam and it sticked even though it wasn't anywhere near as hot!

toomuchlaundry · 16/06/2022 18:21

One person’s bucket list event may not be a bucket list event for someone else @LuckySantangelo35 We all like different things. I’m trying to think of a bucket list event that would suit many 1yp

Bunnycat101 · 16/06/2022 18:35

No I wouldn’t be happy doing that. I found the train suggestion laughable. I’ve just got off and they’re all running slowly because it’s hot and it was unbearable on the train. It would have been hideous with a toddler.

lots of people will be on to say that a 1yo doesn’t stop you doing anything and they tracked through Rwanda with their baby in a sling but a long drive with a 1yo on your own on a slightly dodgy car for 5hours does not sound appalling at all. 5 hours is also unlikely to be 5 hours. Had a similar journey a few months ago. In theory the journey was 5 hours-one way was 6 hours with us leaving at 6am- the other was 9 hours and was hideous.

Darbs76 · 16/06/2022 18:38

Not without air con, no chance I’d risk it

Notthereyet90 · 16/06/2022 18:40

Hard no. If it's not worth it for a hire car or train, don't go.

jevoudrais · 16/06/2022 18:43

With air con totally go. No air con, nooooooo way...

psychopompos · 16/06/2022 18:54

OK, it's a Ford Ka. With the AC button lit, the temperature knob all the way to blue and the fan set to 2 or 3 it should blow ice cold - if it doesn't then there's something wrong.

yikesanotherbooboo · 16/06/2022 19:04

I would have gone by train anyway because it's so much easier. I wouldn't have bothered with a travel cot.

toomuchlaundry · 16/06/2022 19:10

@yikesanotherbooboo where would 1yo sleep?

tiddletoddle400 · 16/06/2022 19:14

YANBU. As someone with a 1 year old - hell NO!!

blue421 · 16/06/2022 19:24

I'd stick the baby stuff in the husband's car via Birmingham and get the train. The London to Newcastle train service is quite quick and frankly nicer than 5 hours in a hot car.

blue421 · 16/06/2022 19:25

And second the air con recharging. I've had to have mine done for the second time in two years. It's not too expensive.

ChaosMoon · 16/06/2022 19:55

Tully42 · 16/06/2022 18:01

Errrrr never! That's a good tip! Thanks!

Show quote history

If it's been out of fluid for a long time, then the refill canisters might not have enough in them. But it you take it to a Halfords then they can fill it for you.

KarmaStar · 16/06/2022 19:58

I would go when it's cooler early morning or evening with plenty of cold water,shades on rear windows and a chill bag with cool fruits in .
If you don't want to go then you don't have too.🌈

ColourMeExhausted · 16/06/2022 20:03

YANBU. We did Scotland to London when DD was about 8 months. Our old car had no aircon and wasn't the most comfortable ride. It turned out to be a heatwave, we got stuck in traffic on the M6, DD cried for most of the journey. I'd wanted to fly but DH wanted to save money. I was furious with him. I wouldn't do it again, especially if it's just you with baby. I think the roads may be busier than usual ahead of the strikes too.

ColourMeExhausted · 16/06/2022 20:04

Alternative could be to go during the night, we've friends who are comfortable doing that although it's never appealed don't get enough sleep as it is

modgepodge · 16/06/2022 20:04

It does sound like you have non functioning AC rather than not having it at all. I think something needs topping up sometimes? Ic the button says AC it should have AC.

However, with no functioning AC I think its the right call. I once left an event at about 5pm to drive 20 mins home on a day like tomorrow will be, in the car with no air conditioning. Got stuck in traffic and it took over an hour. Baby was good as gold but I was so panicked she was overheating - when she fell asleep I honestly thought she might be dead. When I got her out of her car seat she was boiling, baby seats really cocoon them and they get so hot. Absolutely o way I’d travel in that heat with a baby and no ac again.

NCed4Help · 16/06/2022 20:12

I really have to wonder sometimes at the advice people give.

It's a potentially boiling hot journey with shitty air con for a 1 year old child who will be cooped up for several hours. Not nice at all and potentially a bit dangerous if she gets stuck in boiling hot traffic with a small child stuck in a car seat.

No way in hell I'd do this journey.

Chrestomanci3 · 16/06/2022 20:18

When are you travelling? The weather is meant to be hot on Friday, then much cooler at the weekend.

justfiveminutes · 16/06/2022 20:25

As you weren't bothered about the long motorway journey and potential traffic jams before, I personally wouldn't have allowed weather that's a few degrees warmer than usual to alter my plans. Especially as you had 'bucket list' plans. As you go north, it'll get cooler anyway.

A580Hojas · 16/06/2022 20:32

I wouldn't make a 1 year old endure a 5 hour car journey, whatever the weather.

Fulbe · 16/06/2022 21:55

5 hours with a 1 year old on your own? You were being unreasonable to expect to be able to do this in the first place, never mind the weather. I remember with horror having to hold up my phone to the back of the car playing Mr Tumble whilst driving 1-handed for an hour to stop my 1 year old girl wailing just so I could get home. Never again.