To cancel holiday during heatwave?

[RedLeicesterRedLeicester]

Lone parent of 4 and 6 year old boys. Planning to stay in a eurocamp on the south of France.

I’m totally knocked out by the heat today and I’ve only had one of them most of the day. Can’t sleep…

Due to leave Saturday. Forecast is between 31-34. Just don’t think I can do it. Flying and not planning to rent car.

What exactly were you expecting the weather to be in the middle of August in the South of France OP??

Nobody with any knowledge of weather/France would book this and expect anything under 30 degrees…mid-30s is normal!

Mind boggles, honestly!

This rain!

You’ll have air-con at your accommodation and a pool. It’s a completely different kettle of fish than being in UK in this heat without either of those things. Enjoy your holiday.

Where you headed? We are leaving for south of France tomorrow too. Still have to pack and do a day of work today as well! We will do this - plus once you get there if you have been to a eurocamp - they are perfect for your boys age range. So much stuff to do right where you are and hopefully walking distance to the beach!

That was the temperature when we were there last year, it’s pretty common peak of summer temps really. It was fine. Our cabin had air con and we were in the pool most of the time anyway. It was brilliant fun.

That’s not too far off normal temps for south of France this time of year surely?
I hate the heat too but it is different on holiday, there will be a pool and all that to cool off. Their buildings are better able to cope with heat than ours, and you won’t have to struggle doing normal day to day stuff.

Why would you book, it's obviously not going to be 20 degrees

The humidity yesterday was under 30% according to our temperature gauges.
Today it is 54% so it will feel worse today than yesterday

Totally normal for south of France! In fact I think it was normal back years ago when I used to visit southern France as a child.
don’t worry there is always a little rain later in August as the summer starts to wind up. You’d be bonkers to cancel.

30+ abroad is completely different than 30+ in the UK!
We always go away 4/5 times a year and our favourite is the middle of summer where it sometimes reaches over 40c, it’s the best!

I assume OP posted this late at night when she was tired and overwhelmed. Hopefully things feel better this morning.

Enjoy your holiday OP.

What temperature did you think it would be in South of France in August?

We went to the south of France camping in the 80s in late August and it was about 30c iirc

I think we're all having days when the heat gets to us.

We were camping a couple of weeks ago, the high was 33c - very little shelter. We were just sensible (when we could be), stayed in shade as much as possible, plenty of drinks, sun lotion, hats. If the children are active and you're struggling, maybe you can encourage quiet time - maybe playing indoor games/cards - any sensible parent would probably encourage them to have respite from the sun anyway.

That’s normal summer weather for the south of france. Does your accommodation have AC? Most eurocamps do now unless you’re literally in a tent, if you haven’t booked it maybe call and see if you can upgrade?? But you’ll have swimming pools, the sea and a lot less to do than at home so go and enjoy yourself!

Not everyone lives in the south of England you know.

Will believe it when I actually see it.

Why did you book France in August? Surely you knew it would be hot?

I wouldn’t cancel the holiday but totally understand why you’d consider it OP. We are going away next week, amazing and we usually would be really looking forward to the sunshine but we’ve had so much bloody sunshine and heat at home this summer that it doesn’t feel the same this year! Would be more excited by a trip to some snow🤣

Much of England is officially in drought.

South of France in August is generally low 30s, that is not unusual. It is hotter at the moment but I think the latest Canicule in France is subsiding over the weekend, like ours is. I would say as a future tip if you don't like moderately hot weather, don't book a holiday in southern Europe in mid August.

I'll be honest, I don't know why people book holidays, in August, in the South if France, in a tent, then worry about the bloody heat.

This heat is very draining op especially when you are not sleeping well.

And looking after two boys of six and four by yourself must be pretty relentless.

Is there any possibility of adding another adult, a friend or family member, to your holiday booking, so you would have more support?

I don't. I live on the edge of the Pennines where we typically get a lot of rain. We had a very wet winter and Yorkshire water are saying that they don't anticipate a hosepipe ban because our reservoirs are nothing like as low as they were this time last year even though it hasn't rained for weeks.

i’ve just come back from a 2 week holiday in Europe where it was mid to late 30’s every day. It was hot but absolutely fine as we were in the pool or in the air conditioned villa or by the sea with a lovely sea breeze every day. We were also wearing very little all day every day and not really doing much.

I have come home to London where the heat is stifling, my house is a carpeted, insulated furnace and everything very much feels like a struggle!

You’ll be fine on holiday, it’s at home that heat is difficult to deal with.