January 2025 Starters Thread 8. New clothes, new shoes, new bodies...

[Thelittlestranger]

Roll up, roll up ....

@2025istheyeari, I got the camper van to future proof (for when I'm too old and decrepit to pitch my tent!). It's in good nick, but does need servicing and some bodywork sorted (joy of having a late bay T2 that is a bit older than me!). I've done quite a bit of tinkering with it and fixing the bits I can fix. I'm hoping to get power steering put in it too, and get the gas cooker checked and serviced. I'm going to get the most important stuff sorted then consider things like mod cons (but I have a lot of that sort of stuff anyway from years of camping, so I think we're pretty well set up).

The DC are getting older now and soon won't want to share a tent with their mum (my eldest is 18 and wants to crash in a pup tent this year), so I'll be looking at selling the big tent, keeping the two smaller pup tents and using the camper for trips. The bed in it sleeps two and is so comfy. Luckily I'm 5ft 4, so no probs with height etc, but it is a bit of a bugger to get the pop top up and down!! Sounds a bit sad, but I'm quite excited about it... it's a purple van and I am so glad I got it!! I've got dreams of nipping about, praying it doesn't break down(!), seeing beautiful places etc. A couple of my friends have VW campers and we're like a coven of women, aged between 44 (me) and 62 (my friend) that meet up for camps and chats. I wish that I could harness train my cats to come with me (for when the DC fly the nest etc), but they're little gits who'd probably slip their harnesses and bugger off.

All those holidays sound amazing! Me and my 16 year old want to book something brilliant for next summer. Two years ago we went to Australia which we loved! Next year we are thinking, Thailand which @2025istheyeari
@MJalltheway have been to!
Any tips or travel agents you recommend?
I have always wanted to do a Zambian walking safari. My son isn't too bothered and there is no single supplement so I will be doing that in a couple of years. Feel like i'd be able to run away from a lion better than last year! 🤣🤣🤣

@JoanCollinsDiva I really fancy one of those small boat adventure cruises. Sound fun for teens too.

@BreezyPeer Thailand is super easy to book yourself, the entire country is set up for tourism, so whatever you need, you can find on the spot. Transfers, custom made tours - never an issue.

@BreezyPeer, agree with heavyheidi. So many different things you can do, depends on time of year and what you’re interested in. In summer, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and phang’an are best side, each island v different. We are off to Koh Chang at Christmas, never been and looks less crowded than other places which suits us! Have a look at audley or Stubborn mule, they’ll give suggested itineraries depending on time of year and you can then book independently ( and save a lot of money!!)

Our plans are Cornwall, Scotland, Italy (Rome and Florence) and America (booked before election).

Love holidays too, am always planning 😊

@HeavyHeidi sailing in Indonesia sounds incredible! Have you found a specific trip?

We are planning to visit Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore for our honeymoon in September, finishing with the Singapore Grand Prix! It would be fantastic to get a few days on a boat into the itinerary.

@asparagusfearne I'm looking at Raja Ampat bay, DH wants to dive and this is highly recommended. We have not booked yet but there seem to be plenty of options.

I have no idea how maintenance will work here. There are a number of providers I've tried (I only order prescriptions and pick the pen up from the pharmacy). None of them have made any noises about maintenance or similar so far. Local Zava at least asks for current weight, but another provider just has a tick box that nothing has changed and prescription is swiftly approved.

Depending on where you go, I'd HIGHLY recommend this place https://www.elephanthills.com/
We stayed a night at the elephant sanctuary and then a night at the Cheow Yarn lake in a floating camp. We thought not much could top the elephants but the lake camp was one of the best things I've ever done, it was just incredible.

Hello everyone. Love hearing about the holiday plans. We are taking advantage of the final year or so before DS starts school and currently have a place in Kos booked for October that I've had lots of recommendations for and the Maldives in February. Not quite sure the Maldives will be the same with a nearly 4 year old as it was when we were child free, but I'm not waiting until he finishes school to go again!
I've been really unwell since Friday and have basically been asleep almost constantly. I can't eat or really drink, think it's tonsillitis and I feel very sorry for myself. Any top tips for what to force down when the thought of swallowing makes you feel ill?

@MJalltheway that looks amazing! Will definitely put it on my list. Thank you. @HeavyHeidi & @2025istheyeari great to hear its easy to do!
This year we are heading to Sicily and a few trips in the UK, loads of time to plan 😀

@UnderandOverwhelmed ice cream, protein yogurts, custard ?
cheese omelette ?
Hope you feel better soon.

@UnderandOverwhelmed oh no, hope you feel better soon. Would you be able to manage hot honey and lemon. Ice pops maybe?

Oh no @UnderandOverwhelmed you poor thing! My DD suffered terribly with tonsillitis and finally had them out last summer. She would just about manage some soup and protein shakes when she was ill. Try and keep sipping water to keep your hydration up. Take regular paracetamol (if you can swallow tablets) and rest as much as possible.

@UnderandOverwhelmed poor you, old fashioned jelly and ice cream and chicken noodle soup are my go to when I have tonsillitis, I'm prone to it since I had chemotherapy, no idea why. You must see a doctor, do not delay if you are feeling really unwell with a high temperature.

Wow, incredible holiday plans you lot!

@TicTac80 I absolutely love your spirit!! I thought about buying a camper van for my 50th but never followed through with it, paying a lump sum off my mortgage instead (thank you COVID). How do you find campsites now that you don't have small children? I think that's what held me back to be honest. I would love a luxury camper but I am not sure I'm in the market for kids or campsites any more.

I've done a bit of travelling but I've definitely lost my mojo post divorce/cancer. I enjoy it once I'm there, but I find the daily grind fairly exhausiting so the planning, organising (and paying for three adults 😩), curbs my enthusiasm a bit. One of my DC suffers from severe anxiety and I have to hold their hand/make a huge effort to ensure they don't get too anxious leading up to/when we are away. Of course we wouldn't go without them so DC1 and I make it happen.

Anyway, because of that we tend to stick to the UK and Italy. We do try to have a three week trip in the summer, this year we have all decided on Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland and we are looking forward to it. I would love to go to Italy later on, if I can find the right deal that coincides with a uni reading week.

I looked at shotsy today, surprised to see that I have still got an estimated 3mg in my system because I've eaten 1000 cals today and whilst I am full, if I had anything like chocolate in my cupboards I would be eating it.

Injection tomorrow morning. My second 5mg.

oh @UnderandOverwhelmed tonsillitis is just the worst. Ginger tea with honey is my home remedy, but it still sucks. Just in case someone is as dim as me - it didn't occur me until recently that you can also take painkillers for sore throat and it's not a special kind of pain that can't be medicated.

Thanks everyone. I've managed half a slice of bread, I couldn't bear the thought of something sweet, so ice lolly's and yogurt were out today, although I managed both yesterday.
I've got a headache that won't shift as well and just found some codyramol, so hopefully that helps. I'm sick to death of myself really. Think I will call the dr tomorrow and see if they'll prescribe antibiotics. I've done basically zero parenting all weekend. We went for a 20min walk in the woods this morning and I had to be sick, when we got home I slept for four hours! At least I should have lost some weight this week!

@MananaPenelope, we tend to head off to a place we love (and have been to for many years) which isn’t far from us but is beautiful…and then try out a different campsite or local festivals. The kids like to chill and they still will run about in the woods and have water fights etc. Since they’ve been less tiny, we’ve done the Lakes, Peak District, Charmouth etc but try to make it each year to Wowo (local campsite that we all love). Often, when meeting family or friends for weekends (depending on what we are doing for the weekend), we will find a local campsite to stay at rather than hotel. I like quieter campsites that aren’t too big, and where things like hen/stag parties/noisy piss ups aren’t allowed. The places I choose have good facilities (toilets, showers, decent shop), but I’ve wild camped under bashas in my time, so that to me is luxury!! I think these campsites will be the ones I stick to even when my DC are older and fly the nest. I’ve not quite conjured up the balls to go camping abroad, yet! But may try that with the DC…maybe!

in other news…Pharmulous sent me an email a short while back to say that the order is approved!!

@TicTac80 so pleased pharmulous have agreed your order 😁

Morning all. I overdid the buffet yesterday because there were some irresistible local aubergine and fish based delicacies but I’m on track this morning and have had a jelly (this is perfect breakfast food and I’m adopting it) and some squares of Turkish delight. 🤣

Bit cloudy today so may brave a bus into Corfu Town. Absolutely covered in mosquito bites but still having the best time.

Slow WiFi and slow MN loading is making it difficult to follow the thread so apologies for not acknowledging posts.

@jins Turkish delight for breakfast is perfect holiday food!

@TicTac80 glad Pharmulous came through. I was looking through other maintenance providers on the Monj site and they’re next on my list if Oushk have supply issues, plus they’re in London so hopefully delivery is quicker.

I survived yesterday's event and woke up today to 62.5kg on the Juniper scales, 200g down from Sunday. Too early to call if this is a move from my sticking point. So close!

61.7kg this morning, but also way too close to my sticky 62 kilos to call it a win.

On the topic of travel, this morning I dropped kids to school in France, then straight to airport in Switzerland to fly to Austria, from where I'll go to our office in Slovaka and in the evening, we will stay at a hotel in Czech Republic. Win is that my handluggage that Austrian Airlines will actually weigh is 7.9 kilos out of the 8 allowed.

That’s quite the commute!

Love this, how many countries can you do in 1 day 🤣. Safe travels! ooh, let’s hope that’s the sticky point gone @HeavyHeidi and @DGonMJ , well done!!

@jins, perfect holiday breakfast food!! Enjoy Corfu Town and hope mozzy bites not too bad, pesky things!

@TicTac80 yay, that’s great news! ( also your camping trips sound lots of fun!)

@UnderandOverwhelmed hope you get a GP appt and feel better, sounds horrible you poor thing.

Weigh day today, I lost the pound I put on last week. Gutted as on Saturday I’d lost another pound and a half but the joys of daily weighing.
My weight loss has definitely slowed and I’ve been stuck around here for a few weeks. Bit fed up but hey, we carry on!!

Have a good Monday all.