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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Original poster

Oh crap :( Major travel problems ....

32 replies

Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 09:45

Hi

I booked a holiday for June, about an hours drive away. We don't drive but my parents are our taxi and knew my dad would drop us off.

Just realised he will be at work from 3pm, so if he did take us he would have to drop us off at about 1pm to get back for work ... leaving us outside, with a 4 yr old, 2 yr old, 6 month old and all our luggage, high chair, travel cot, buggies we wont be able to move

Alternative is getting the train which will bw 100x worse.

Do haven have somewhere you can store your belongings?

OP posts:
Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 09:46

sorry, forgot to say check in is at 4.30pm.

OP posts:
Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:01

Shit, just rang and they have nowhere you can put your stuff

OP posts:
LIZS · 14/03/2009 10:05

Do you really need to take all that stuff , surely you can hire cots and highchairs for example. Can you hire the accommodation from the day before so you na get in earlier?

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:07

We do, we have 3 kids, lol.

I wouldn't want to put DD in a hired cot TBH. Mybe I'll leave the highchair she can sit in buggy, but still luggage, buggies, sterilizer ect

we'll just have to pray its sunny and stay at the playground.

Oh and food as its self catering.

OP posts:
jellycat · 14/03/2009 10:10

You could see if you can book a food delivery late afternoon/early evening so you don't have to take food.

Any chance your dad could take a day off work?

nailpolish · 14/03/2009 10:11

isnt there an option to pay a surcharge and get in early?

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:12

I usually shop at aldi jellycat, they dont do deliveries.

i cant ask that, he would have to take the friday too to get us.

I just thought wed get the train, but didnt really think about the reality of it, we would have to get the bus to the park after the train too.

What a kerfuffle!

OP posts:
Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:13

its only the premier ones that are allowed to check in from 2pm.

but i might ring them and ask.

OP posts:
nailpolish · 14/03/2009 10:14

cant you hire a car?
when yo uget there you will just have to go for lunch, equipment and all
ther is nothingwrong with the hire cots you know, they are very clean , as are the highchairs. take your own cot linen if that helps

nailpolish · 14/03/2009 10:16

also you dont need a steriliser
i never used one
if you are unsure, take some cold water sterilisng tablets - you get them in boots
then yo just add them to a pot of cold water and leave overnight

LIZS · 14/03/2009 10:21

If you have a lift there , your dd will be in a car seat - doubles as a feeding seat . We went on a canal boat when ds was that age, and with friends with kids at various ages between us. No cots, either used carrycot part of pram or coslept. Take minimum of simple food like pasta an tuna to cover first day or two there must be a store within walking distance to top up from. Take handwash stuff so you can rinse throguh less soiled items and dry (there will probably be an on site laundry if needs be) and be really ruthless with how much you need to take to wear.

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:24

We don't drive, no licenses, lol.

Just rang customer services who said you can check in earlier you have to ring the park your staying at, so rang them, they said we cant

I asked gain about an area to leave our stuff and she said 'well, we will see what we can do when you get here'

Not very helpful!

OP posts:
jellycat · 14/03/2009 10:25

But you could use Tesco, Sainsbury or whatever (whoever delivers to that address) for 1 occasion.

I assume from your first post that you can't drive so can't hire a car?

I would def. ring an ask about early check-in, even if they ask you to pay a surcharge.

jellycat · 14/03/2009 10:26

Sorry, x-post!

SimpleAsABC · 14/03/2009 10:32

Is there anyone else who could maybe take you?

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 10:35

no cause there are 5 of us plus driver so need people carrier, my parents have one.

we will be fine

only a few hours

OP posts:
dyzzidi · 14/03/2009 10:41

Could you not beg a favour of another friend who has a car and get them to drop all your stuff off later for you. I mean you and family go in people carrier and friend bring your stuff to you after check in? You could load the other car up earlier in the day and that person could come after work on the friday you could always pay petrol for them.

On the way back you will be minus food so would you all fit?

bubblerock · 14/03/2009 10:59

Which Haven are you going to?

KatyMac · 14/03/2009 11:05

If it's Yarmouth he could drop you here & I'll take you down later (I have people carrier & numerous car seats)

nailpolish · 14/03/2009 11:07

there are supermarkets at the haven sites
ok its not your usual aldi but cant it do just this once? i agree you are taking far too much stuff taht you do not need

bubblerock · 14/03/2009 11:09

That's what I was thinking Katymac - If there's someone close enough to the park you could organise something Disenchanted

Original poster
Disenchanted3 · 14/03/2009 11:36

The supermarkets on site are verrrry expensive.

Its CalaGran near Blackpool.

Im going to ring them again and insist they find somewhere safe to put our belongings. Surely its not unreasonable to expect that?

Thanks for the offer though Katy.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 14/03/2009 11:36

Scrap far for me to drive......sorry

SlightlyMadScotland · 14/03/2009 11:43

"Im going to ring them again and insist they find somewhere safe to put our belongings. Surely its not unreasonable to expect that?" if they don't offer that service they don't offer that service.

You can buy steriliser bags which go in teh microwave...and take up far less space. They only take 1-2 bottles but work well ina caravan. And also you have to remeber that the microwaves are often the small ones so a typical avent size sterliser does always fit (but sometimes it does).

Have you ever been to Haven?

You will be able to get into hte bar - and they usually have entertainer there to keep the kids occupied with juggling balls, ride on toys, playstations, colouring and stuff.

You will be fine.

nailpolish · 14/03/2009 11:43

teh supermarkets are not that bad