Looking for our place in the sun
OK, we’ve finally decided what to do about the holiday problem.
 Having a child with special needs changes forever how you handle your daily life, but it also disrupts high days and holidays. Unlike many children with autism, T can spend a night away from home but it stresses him out quite a lot and has to be managed carefully. So while Mr. BK and S were cruising round Greece this last half term, me and the little fella went to Brighton. We did have a lovely time, but it has taken him a good week to get back to anything approaching his normal mellow state. Too far, too long and no access to CBeebies!
Before T, our ideal holiday would involve chucking the tent in the car and driving half way around Europe. Well that’s totally off the menu now (too much daily disruption). Neither do I fancy putting him on a plane for a good while yet. Even if that were feasible, foreign self catering holidays cost a small fortune and we’re really not the hotel types.
 What we need is a way of taking shortish breaks not too far from home that can provide T with a safe and familiar environment. And I’ve just had the genius idea of how we can do this………………a static caravan on a quiet family site somewhere in Lancashire, Yorkshire or North Wales. Lots of folks round here have them and seem to spend half their summers “over at the caravan”.
 This will take a couple of years to sort out and financially plan for.  So, anyone know of any nice sites?
Michaela Said,
June 11, 2006 @ 9:00 am
Excellent idea. When I was younger we used to go to Pennard in South Wales quite regularly. It was absolutely gorgeous. Although I’ve been put off caravanning for life as a result.
Go for it - fantastic bit of lateral thinking there. I’m still envious of anyone who can have a break anywhere! I think we’re beached in York for the next 4 or 5 years at least.
Michaela Said,
June 11, 2006 @ 9:01 am
http://www.the-gower.com/villages/ParkmillandPennard/parkmillandpennard.htm
is the link that didn’t show up in my last post…
ali Said,
June 11, 2006 @ 7:32 pm
Fab idea BK! Mind you if you get one in Yorkshire you’ll end us with us rif raf descending on you for the day
Busyknitter Said,
June 11, 2006 @ 8:09 pm
That’s going to be the general idea Ali
Katie Said,
June 12, 2006 @ 10:45 am
We were on a walk in High Bentham the other day and found a caravan site - it’s a nice area, though to be honest the camping bit of the site appealed to us a lot more than the caravan bit, which was all window boxes, cups of tea and patio furniture - the camping families had the footballs out…
Although the day I get the Spouse into a tent will be a cold one in Hell I suspect.
What about a regular B&B that might become familiar? And has CBeebies?
Katie Said,
June 12, 2006 @ 10:50 am
Oh and I had another idea: National Trust cottages, they are in lovely places (including the Lakes) and again you could find one that you went back to frequently so it became familiar. We are addicts!
Busyknitter Said,
June 13, 2006 @ 7:24 am
Definitely not B&B! I had a nightmare experience with T in one last year. The establishment was fine, but I only had about 2 hours sleep thanks to the little fella (and had to drive 300 miles the next day). Also I prefer having my own space to sleep in, which is why we’ve done so much camping over the years.
tbh I’ve always hankered after the the window box/cups of tea aspect of having a little caravan somewhere. Perhaps I’m really a Dutch housewife at heart.
Busyknitter Said,
June 13, 2006 @ 7:24 am
Will check out High Bentham though, thanks for the tip!