Traveling with kids

So we've arrived in the UK today. The first leg of the journey was always going to be the hardest, as I had a long drive and the ferry crossing to do on my own with the kids. Thank goodness the passport issue was sorted, I can't imagine if I had tried to cross the border with an expired passport, I would have been so nervous. And the drive was really long, so if I'd had to turn and go back home it would have been really awful!

 

first leg of our journey

The kids were really good for the whole trip, I did shout at them a few times, but that's only because I was stressed. Picture the scene if you will...

It's a 3.5 hour drive from Lannion to Caen, but as we only needed to be there at 10pm for the overnight ferry, it had to be in the dark. We set off after school at 6pm. They watched a film on the invaluable in-car DVD player (best buy EVER, worth every penny!!). Then I had trouble finding a decent place to stop for our dinner. I'd brought sandwiches which we ended up eating in the car on a dodgy, lonely side road near Le Mont St Michel. The sun disappeared at this point and I had to hurry the kids to finish eating as I didn't feel very safe! The next part was the most stressful. I categorically DO NOT like driving in the dark, so normally hubby does it. Everyone raves about how great French roads are, yes they are, but they are pretty empty most of the time and there are no lights! There's nothing around but fields and it's scary. Then it's a busy transport route for lorries exporting to the UK, another pet hate of mine, overtaking lorries. So doing it in the dark is worse!! So gripping the steering wheel, overtaking a lorry at 110kmph, not sure if the road ahead is going to turn or not as there's no lights ahead, then add a child or two in the back who decides that's the precise moment to sing an annoying song over and over. Yes, I screamed at them to shut up!!!

Don't even ask me to tell you how to go for a wee when you're on your own by the side of the road, no toilets around, with the kids who you can't leave in the car on their own!!

The ferry part was easy. Max had fallen asleep by the time we got to the port, so he missed out on watching the cars and lorries load on to the boat. Laila was amazed by it all! They went to sleep really nicely in the cabin, Laila delighted to be on the top bunk! Then we woke up this morning with the nice music they play to get you up, went for a quick breakfast of pain au chocolat and croissants. It was daylight so we went outside to see the port of Portsmouth and look at the boats. Max was very amazed by it all!

Spot and Gruffalo are their class mascots and are with us for a holiday! They'll be in most of our photos!!

After that came the first drive in the UK. I remembered to drive on the left, good start! Thanks to the GPS I found the way, so no stresses there. My dad will tell you how he hates driving in the UK compared to France, it's overcrowded and the roads aren't as good. I beg to differ. I love all the cars, knowing I'm not alone on the road and following traffic is easier that driving alone. Everyone is courteous on the road (unlike France!), I didn't shout at any other driver!! Also the signposting and road layout is logical and clear (again unlike France!!).

So we're relaxing at my aunts house in Surrey today. Daddy will join us tonight and tomorrow we'll go into London for the day, which we're all looking forward to very much!