Planning our road trip this year

Austria 2009

Every year , we go on a road trip.
We have done so for over 24 years now, although there have been years this has not been possible.
Road trips are fairly common place for larger families for obvious reasons, no expensive flights! although given this current climate of large families being filmed everywhere they go, one would be lead to believe road trips have just been invented! (the cynic in me feels publicising such events maybe a good way to pay for them!)

France 2005

We are planning a big once in a life time road trip in a couple of years so need to save more. This years road trip needs to be low budget so over Christmas I set about trying to find some cheaper accommodation.This was actually easier than I thought.
For us, it means staying a little more 'off the beaten track' than usual but I am sure life will as always be fascinating and the children will enjoy the change.
To take children on holiday, takes courage. I have some friends who freely admit they didn't even bother going to the beach till their children were three.

France 2005

To take lots of children away for weeks on end takes lots of courage! as well as planning meticulously  with the teachers rule of thumb 'what can go wrong will go wrong'. Planning for every eventuality really helps and gives a peace of mind. Thankfully, for us this has never happened, but knowing where the local Dr and hospital are, is always a good idea!
I use the word 'holiday' in the broadest sense, as I can never really relax, especially when the children were all very little and you had to keep your wits about you 24/7. However I still enjoyed the break from the routines and sight seeing!
For the last year or so I have been working with an agent on the framework for a book about living and working and holidaying overseas. Putting together 25 years of tips, tales and experiences has been fun. Hearing others tales has been equally amusing. We are no where near finishing it any time soon, but there's no rush, as each year passes more will be added!!!
For now, I will again, blow the cobwebs off my trusty holiday planner, that I add items too each year, and start to plan our list for this year. The beauty of being teachers is, although we have to take our holidays at the most expensive time of the year, we can at least go away for a good month or so, as we have found when you get there, you can actually live on the same budget, or even less than at home!

Prague 2007

 We like to go to the non-tourist spots, we live with the locals, shop in the local shop, chat to them and join in their festivals and celebrations much to the children's amusement /bemusement! It is a great learning experience to live in a totally different part of the world for a few weeks and absorb the culture.
Like wise to have the privilege  as we have of living somewhere very different is just wonderful, and a memory the older children hold dear forever.
And so, amidst yet another dreadful bout of sickness and diahorrea twin style, we hold fast to our great summer escape and the adventures we will have together.