Learning to holiday after you’re unhitched.
They both thought they would always be married, always together. That didn’t work out. After the whole separating, dividing and departing was over, Alison was exhausted, as was her husband, her ex-husband.
There was enough going on just being single again. Add her two children into the swirl, and Alison felt overwhelmed. And now think about how to holiday together, not as a four, as a three, on her small budget. But June was coming up, and the school holidays not far behind. One of her friends, who could afford it recommended, a cruise with all kinds of entertainment for the kids, only meeting up at supper time or the odd excursion.
Alison struck out for camping in Brittany. A short ferry ride and comparatively short drive. You still had beaches, cheese and wine. Alison’s canvas neighbours were a family from twenty miles down the road in Bedfordshire. Alison could put up tents, so did not need for help there. (For those not so adep at erecting tents, fellow campers will follow. I”m trying to avoid bad jokes about … dysfunction.) The children played together and the adults insisted she join them for supper. Wine bottle and pudding in hand Alison accepted. It was a new beginning for her, if not happy camping, it was good first effort.
Now in case this sounds too idyllic there are other stories of flying solo for the first time, which is what it feels like, and feeling the lonely duckling. But, camping is communal so worth a thought.
Of course, if you go for the ‘throw money at it’, fill your boots with holidays for first time divorcees.
Legally un-wed.
Of course, there are all the ‘laws’ to be followed about taking children out of the country which you have to follow, regardless of how tricky it is to arrange. It is truly more trouble than it is worth messing with the regulations.