On a mini getaway and all 5 adults are miserable

[Louez]

Hi, just looking for advice/to rant.

We’ve arrived at a friend’s cabin in the Landes Forest, France. And the atmosphere is really awkward which is depressing.

Im 30, here with my parents, brother and sister (plus dog). Sister’s bf is joining us in a few days.

It’s been a few hours since we arrived. No one is angry but everyone seems off. Which is making me think…I want to go home.

My brother flies for EasyJet so am assuming he’s tired. After we arrived he walked the dog and is now just sat in the living room on his phone. My dad who is a stroke survivor has fallen asleep on the sofa next to my mum who has a tooth ache and is miserable looking.

I can tell no one wants to be here. The cabin is a bit grubby and we just left a house that has been completely gutted and looks amazing. Everyone seems on edge.

What can I do?

Dinner is the oven and I’m on my single bed with a cocktail. I’ve suggested a game but was told to “chill out”.

I would go out but have now drunk.

I truly love the kindness, and inventiveness, of the poster that suggested that the description of it being in France was to prevent it being outing.

Yes. That's what I came here to say.

It's the kids' bedroom in a CP woodland lodge.

I’d be really sad if my adult DD felt like this. Not that we go away together much - the odd city break. But we like each other. Why would we hate the thought of spending time together? What have your parents and siblings done to offend you so badly?

😂😂😂😂😂😂

How is this thread still here?

I know, I thought that too.

"To the pure, all things are pure" 😇

In the meantime, I do hope that the OP hasn't been munched by le snaké massiv, or indeed webbed to death by le spidèr énormous. Excuse my French.

LOL.

You sound ungrateful and a bit spoilt tbh.
Find a way to make the most of it - it’s a break somewhere different - I’d Bloomin well love it right now !

Play a game, any game! Always helps to liven things up and have a laugh. First night, tired, that just away from hime feeling, all have a good sleep then whatever planned about I'll give fuel for conversion. Sure you will all be different tomorrow, hope so. Also as suggested a few drinks, maybe a punch, mulled wine? X

I hope you're able to salvage some enjoyment OP.
I recently visited friends & family abroad. When I did this same trip in summer 2022 it was grand! But in summer 2023, absolutely everyone - unrelated and unconnected to each other - was tired/exhausted, low-key, quiet, a bit down. It was a totally different visit, every home I went to. Life is a tough slog 😪

My dog is currently licking his undercarriage after a quick scratch of his ears - hate to think where we'd end up if he was the pilot. Probably down a volcano crater.

Take a deep breath. Relax and work out why each of you was motivated to spend a few days as a group? It doesn't sound like a family holiday recipe that's known and trusted. Is this an "instead of spending xmas together"? I'm not sure how old you are. Personally, I have to plan everything down to the last detail, including down-time, and back-up plans in the event of bad weather. (You'd think I'm a nightmare! And yet ...) Use your time tonight to research the area - things to see/ events/ activities - and put together a proposed "list of things to do" for discussion. Personally I discuss very little - I just look at who is going, what they like doing, what their habits are - and just put together an itinerary. If you're with a really hopeless group of people, just work out what you want to do and see in next couple of days. But if you can think of nothing you'd like to do all by yourself, in a new place you've never seen before, and/or not a single person might be interested in joining you, you're doomed. The trick to good planning is making sure everyone is thought about and included - whether for them that's time out to read a book, seeing a historical site or going rock climbing, etc. I'm really sorry the group is not thinking about your needs.

Why on earth have you gone to the trouble of writing all that when it was established yesterday it's all made up?!

Wow the poster must be really bored to make such a shit story up 🤣🤣 Why do people think it’s made up?

Is @OldPerson getting in on the action?

Open some wine, everyone just needs to chill.

The plug socket.

Ok, this is the story so far...The Op's brother has suddenly been called into work due to an outbreak of Landes Forest fever among all EasyJet pilots. He's taking the dog (aka Hi-viz hound) with him, to act as co-pilot. Emergency medics have been called in to treat the remaining members of the family, as Landes Forest fever is unusual when you're all staying in a Travelodge in Peckham. Dinner's still in the oven, everyone is still 'on edge', but especially the dog. OP has answered her own question and disappeared without trace (possibly under the bed on which she was relaxing whilst sipping her cocktail and singing 'Fly Me To The Moon'). Don't miss the next instalment. PS: OP, what's the 'amazing' gutted house got to do with anything? Answers on a postcard...

MadeOfAllWork · Today 12:52

How is this thread still here?

Minniliscious · Today 13:52

Wow the poster must be really bored to make such a shit story up 🤣🤣 Why do people think it’s made up?

I know some folk believe we ought to pull the plug on this thread (which is still here because we love it and are nurturing it with seasonal chocolate and little kisses), and others wonder, wire we questioning it. It's really just that after spending our joyless days doing housework and chasing that missing sock, it provides an outlet for our emotions. I for one am experiencing an electric thrill when there are updates. I really feel the thread has struck a cord and sparked joy, so I hope no-one feels impaled on the prongs of a dilemma pondering how to take it. I have no cable so this is my entertainment, I have a short fuse but this is cheering me up.
💥⚠⚡✈🐶

....I'll get me coat.

lol. Very English sounding French! 🤣

How are the plugs different in France compared to the UK? I don't mean to sound dim, but am across the pond and didn't know there was a difference. I did think the "cabin" looked quite a bit like what we over here would call a "budget hotel". Except, I don't know if our budget hotels have single (twin) beds.
Does anything else stick out?

Good pick-up by several posters, especially @PrimitivePerson .

2-pin plugs in France.

What is a centre parcs bedroom? I feel like I am missing out on an inside joke.

Also, I wonder where OP has wandered off to do today? Maybe to do an edit on her short story of "The Dog That Flew The Plane Is My Brother (from another mother)"

Has anyone reverse searched the Hi-Viz Hound and Peckham Travelodge pics?

Admittedly, I wouldn't pin my hopes on an update from the OP. Not under the current circumstances. She's probably still fried from all those cocktails. Still, deep down there's a small spark of hope that she might still illuminate us all.