Going on holiday tomorrow!

[CnR]

Yes, at last half term has arrived. I am off on holiday for 10 days tomorrow morning (5am start ) We are driving round Northern France, calling off at Calais, Rouen, near to Disney, Epernay for Champagne!) and St Omer. We are going on the ferry this year too.

Never taken DD on a ferry. Any advice on keeping an 18 month old entertained for the hour or so? WEithout her going overboard! We are travelling with Sea France but never used them before - anyone here? Do they have a decent place to eat, thought we could have lunch on board?

Don't have an really queries, just pleased the holidays are here and wanted to shout about it

Just so nobody feels down if they are not going anywhere soon, I do have OFSTED in on my first day back

Have a lovely time CnR. I'm off to Spain next Wednesay and I can't wait either. I too have an 18 month old to entertain on the journey!

I wouldn't have thought an hour would be too much of a problem CnR esp if you are eating. I would imagine she would want to wander around and stretch her legs after being cooped up in the car. Maybe take some reins if you are going on deck!

I am off to Switzerland to see thec hildren I used to look after and I too have an Ofsted in the week I get back. Good luck CnR, I presume yours is a school one, mine is childminder.

We went on holiday to France earlier this year using Sea France.

The actual crossing goes really quickly and we stayed on deck the whole time, there is a little seating area at the back of the ferry. To be honest, everytime I tried to go inside I just felt hideously sick.

I wouldn't have fancied trying to have something to eat on the ferry, the queues just to get a cold drink were long enough.

I'd make sure you take plenty of warm clothes to wrap up in though, its bloody freezing on the back of that thing.

Have a lovely time.

alibubbles

Dress up warm because it is really cold and damp here already - snow expected down to 600m around Zurich today ! Where are you headed ?

I haven't used Sea France before, but we went on a P&O ferry recently and it had a play area for children - maybe Sea France will have something similar? Have a lovely time anyway!

LIZS, thanks. I am going to Basle, I'll take my warm lined leather duffle then. I was wondering what it was going to be like, sounds like I'll need hat and gloves too!

Whereabouts are you?

We're just South of Zurich. You will probably avoid the snow up there. Forecast for the weekend is a bit better but still chilly.

Have a nice trip. The trees are now in full colour so it is quite picturesque.

Thank you Cnr, we are going to Berne as well as the family have not visited there yet.

Well, just finished packing and Dh is putting the stuff in the car now - can't face it at 5am!

Bozza - Reins are packed right on top; DD likes to run about too much for no reins at the top of a ferry. Our first stop over in at a hotel on the beach at Calais so at least we don't have more driving when we get there.

Angiel - I have used P&O before, just not Sea France. The winter woolies are on the back seat ready. To be honest I am normally okay on ferries so long as it isn't too choppy.

Pimpernel - will look out for play area, much safer for DD than being on top of ferry, and she'd like a play area anyway, especially if we can't get somewhere to sit down for lunch.

Northerner and alibubbles - have great times on your hols too.

alibubbles - yes I am at a school - secondary ICT teacher. This is a mini 2 day inspection where they will pop in and out of lots of lessons. We had an inspection last February and the school was oput in 'serious weaknesses'. This is it's chance to get out. Annyoing really if I get lots of visits as all mine were at least good last time, and I have had observations recently that are all good and even an excellent. Oh well, keep going through the motions I guess. GOOD LUCk with your inspection too - not sure how childminding ones go? Are they stressful too? And mean lots of more work than normal?

alibubbles

How was your trip ? At least it was dry here last weekend if a bit nippy.

LIZS, thanks for asking, the inbound flight was delayed due to snow at Basle but we made up the time and arrived early. I had a lovely time. The weather was beautifully sunny, if a little chilly. Berne is a lovely city, pretty houses and streets.

We went to the Herbsmesser locally in Basle which is always fun for the children. The children always love seeing me especially the 9 year old as I looked after him for 7 years fulltime. I didn't realise quite how much he still misses me until his dad asked what was the best bit about his last visit to England, and he said seeing me, he's also been to Alton Towers, so I was very touched and chuffed! He won't come to the airport to say goodbye, he jates seeing me go. He will always be special, his sister too.

Cnr, yes Ofsted is a bit of work, a 94 point Heath and Safety check as well as making sure all my policies are up to date (Used to that I was a school governor for 10 years) and reviewed etc, I am hoping to be accredited to offer nursery education to three year olds, paid for by the goverment instead of them going to playgroup.

Hope all goes well for you.