Can I have some encouragement about a road trip to Spain by myself with dc?

[unlikelychump]

Things aren't going very well with dh, we think he is in autistic burnout, which is impacting heavily on his ability to function. We argue all the time. I think he needs some time to himself. (I want some time without him)

We are supposed to be going to Spain on the ferry this weekend with the caravan and then driving home. I am considering instead taking my car and 3 DC and a tent. We camp a lot, although mostly caravan so would need to buy some stuff this week to go with the tent.

Can people help me think of practicalities from a strong man ,large van and caravan, to a 4 man tent, loo tent, roof box etc.

The current plan is to drive to the Eurotunnel, although it isn't booked yet. Oh yes and one of the kids is autistic with continence issues (although he can hammer in tent pegs well so a bonus there!)

I think I would need an electric hook up to run a cool box and charge devices.

Can you not get an electric hook up? And a place that has a shower block? It’d make the whole thing about 10x easier!

Electric hook up seems very sensible in your situation. Spain is going to be very hot and is a long way to go. Have you thought about somewhere a bit closer?

I mean I would need to buy a tent one. I have ehu booked for the caravan. There would be shower blocks and pools at the campsites.

I've just remembered the driving on the right! I think I could do this but. I could take his big van but I think I would be more confident in my littler car.

The ferry to Spain is already booked, so it would be a shame to waste it.

Something to cook on! Maybe a gas stove

Sounds like a lot of effort and expense OP. Will you spend more on the tent etc than the value of the ferry tickets?

Could you go somewhere in the UK in the caravan tomorrow to get the best of this week’s glorious weather.

You can do it. Yes it will take a little getting used to, driving on the other side. But the practicalities of camping on your own with DCs will be fine. If you don’t love the driving part maybe book the ferry home too instead of driving back. Have fun!

Yes gas stove would be handy but if it’s a decent site there will probably be bbq facilities too or you can just eat out and buy snacks from local supermarkets etc - spend your DH’s portion of the holiday budget on making your life easier once you’re there!

No practical help to offer as I don’t camp but I’m sure you can do this and will find a work around any issues and have a great time!

That is what I think - spend a bit more to make it easier. More take away pizzas etc. we would eat way less anyway and I wouldn't drink etc.

The ferry was £1k, and I think I would need to spend about £300 in Halfords. I'd save on petrol, Eurotunnel and we'd stay less time i think - it was going to be 2.5 weeks i think it would be 2max.

As long as you have a passports, credit card and a phone charger you can find or sort anything else out once you’re there too, so no need to panic about anything you’ve forgotten about. Don’t bog yourself down with too much stuff and over complicate things.

(now need to take my own advice and sort a little camping trip for me and my DCs for the summer!!)

You go girl! With the hot weather you'll be ten times more comfortable in a tent than a stuffy caravan anyway. Hell I'd be tempted to sleep outside of the tent given the temperatures in Spain atm.

Surely you save on the crossing if you just have a car and not caravan? Then use the saving and book tent/ mobile with a French site. Where in France where you planning ?

Sorry just realised it's Spain

Much better idea.

Cheap gite or Travel Lodge equivalent?

I traveled alone to Spain at 16, if I can do it anyone can.
I managed trains, ferry, taxi's the borders all alone Only a hand written note from my high school French teacher to remind me how to ask for a taxi and where I was going.
Just do it.
Camping have a look at Pineda De Mar South of Barcelona Near the beach.

My advice would be to cross into France and work your way back up the French coast. There are masses of French campsites, with pools, facilities etc.

You’ll be mostly living outside, so camping chairs and a table are a must. Get yourself a two burner camping gaz stove, with gaz canisters a frying pan, a whistle kettle and a saucepan. You’ll need a cool box, with ice packs. We never bothered with EHU, we used gaz lanterns or just went to bed when it got dark. Take a washing line and pegs for your swim things. We used rolls for the sleeping bags.

Go for it, you’ll love it.

We’ve stayed here, just to get you started:

https://www.lecampingdulac.com/en/

Ok OP, I actually have done something similar with 2 DC (9 & 4 at the time)
Firstly why can't you take the caravan? It would be 100 times easier!

Secondly, book a campsite, pitch tent (or caravan) and enjoy the holiday! Make sure you are in walking distance to a town or public transport.

Don't be afraid to accept help from your fellow campers- I had a couple of Dutch blokes pitch my tent in the rain, in exchange for some beer. Ok it was a thunderstorm and pretty grimm- we woke up with massive puddles in the tent, to give you some idea of the conditions.

(I have always been offered help, so I think someone would help you pitching the caravan.)
If it's driving, again the Dutch are pretty good so is Belgium I found people drive by the rule book... France is hit and miss so you might get stuck behind a lorry. Never driven in Spain. But still better than uk.

Stuff that I found useful for the tent: get one you can stand up in with a porch or dining area.
Electric hook up and a small 30l fridge- genius.

A small Camping stove, 1 saucepan and a frying pan is plenty. Picnic set for crockery.

Get a biggish Camping table to put your fridge and other food in the dining area.

Put things like crockery and tin food in lidded tubs & container- they can double up as dining tables.

Have one big shopping bag for shoes.

I would take things like stir in pasta sauce & pasta for quick snacks - especially for the first 1 or 2 days to get settled.

Remember, depending on DC ages, they might be keen to help but it's you holding the hammer & pegs when they lose interest and run off to the playground!

Ok this is good. I mostly just want people to give me encouragement !! I can't manage the caravan by myself,it is big. We have most of the kit. I think we just need a roof box and bars, ehu for tent and a gas stove basically. Also campsites are all booked until quite far up France. It is just confidence I need and a trip to Halfords. The former being the biggest concern.