Would you drive 7 hours in day for a family meet up?

[Imsunburntandfedup]

Every year my DM arranges a family meet up at a beach in Cornwall where we all get together - it is a lovely beach and rare for everyone to be together at the same time. Everyone else lives locally so it takes between 10mins and 45 mins for them to get there. We are further afield so it is about 3 1/2hrs there and back (including a quick stop at Costa or somewhere similar on route) so 7 hrs driving in all. We have 2 DC so they need a break really.

After a particularly grueling journey yesterday, 2 very tearful kids at various points and finding I have gone bright red from being on the beach too long - I'm beginning to question if I can bear to keep doing this each year. What would you do?

As aside the DC generally do have a good time at the gathering and like seeing my family, but we often have tears/stress. We can't afford to stay overnight and no-one has space to put us up so that's not an option.

Sounds like a lovely opportunity to spend the day with family. I would consider saving up for the hotel stay. You have a years notice.

No, we have politely declined when our family have asked us to do this. I think long drives as adults if are fine if you are used to it eg if you drive for your job or have a long commute. Me and DH rarely drive long distances so get tired out when we do. I have been honest that I don’t feel safe driving if I’ve been in the car for more than about 4 hours in a day. I know many others who would be perfectly fine and safe to do this though so you need to do what’s right for you.

I live in Cornwall and regularly travel 1.5 hours (3 hours roundtrip) to see family who also live in Cornwall, so doing your trip once a year I don’t think it’s a big deal.

However, I would definitely look into spending a night or two so you can actually enjoy it!
I wouldn’t want to come all of that way just for one day.

You’d also be able to look around a bit instead of just spending all day on the beach and being tired and miserable on the drive home.

It will also be a fun little holiday for the DCs.

As it’s a yearly thing I’d book a cheap hotel or B&B in advance, even if it’s not in the exact area you want.
The prices go up in summer but if you look in different areas and book in advance you should be able to get a good deal.

You can even start looking for cheap camping stuff as many people get rid of it after the summer and then book a camping spot in advance.

The train would probably cost you more than a hotel so I wouldn’t bother with them.

This meetup is organised by your mother and not a single person (including your mother/siblings?) Has a sofa and a mattress?

I would drive to a get together once a year but I'm a bit put off that everyone knows you're traveling and don't offer for you to stay overnight

The fact your mum keeps booking this beach trip knowing it’s a huge inconvenience for you and you can’t afford an over night stay is enough for me to decline to attend.

Such a ridiculous pouty attitude. The family lives in Cornwall and they have an annual get together on a beautiful beach in Cornwall. The OP has moved away but of course she is still invited, and it is an opportunity to see everyone together.

I'm from Ireland and I live in London. When my family has a get together it is OF COURSE in Ireland. Sometimes I can make it, sometimes I can't, but I am not huffing and complaining that it is a huge inconvenience that they keep arranging to see each other in the place where they all live.

At first I was thinking yeah, once a year is totally doable and worth it for such a lovely and rare occasion. But the fact that no one will put you up, not even on the floor, or split up between several houses, would really get my back up. When you're putting in so much effort to be with them and they're putting in none whatsoever to accommodate you.

I'd be tempted to give it a miss next year and tell them straight up that doing the journey there and back in a day is just way too tiring, and you might have to cut it to once every couple of years if they're all refusing to put you up. Then, if your DM cares enough, maybe she'll be motivated to find a bit of floor space for your air bed.

(And then, on the years that you do go, start looking for hotels as early as possible and see if you can get any deals with Travelodge etc.)

I wouldn't go with children, I think it's too long for them.

What's the backstory here? Your family won't make room for you in their homes to stay and won't come and see you because it's too far to drive...do they resent that you moved away?

I just find it so hard to believe that you couldn't have saved the money for one night in a hotel for a yearly family get together, having known a year in advance...

Well, I would do it if it was the only chance to see everyone. DH and I would be fine but DC would both struggle a bit, though would likely sleep on the way home.

Premier Inn etc don’t tend to be cheap in Cornwall in the summer, so unlikely to get a £29 deal….. more like £100!

id maybe see if anyone can lend a tent for the weekend and do that. No point buying one if you’re generally not a camping person.

Only if the OP has voiced how difficult this trip is for her.

I live about the same distance away from my family, have done for 20 years. No way would I do it in one day! If they're not bending at all to put you up or help out somehow, I'd stick with the half way meetings - seems much fairer. Or if you want to go back and see everyone together, do it off season when accommodation is cheaper and you can stay over.

This made me laugh too! Our family room in Leamington Spa in 2 weeks is £107, let alone Cornwall or Devon.