(Beginning +Day 1)

Another month, another exciting trip awaits! But this time, it’s not just a solo adventure – my whole family and my godson are coming along for the ride. Originally, we planned to embark on our annual camping trip to Pembrokeshire, a place we absolutely adore. Unfortunately, the weather forecast didn’t look too promising, so we made a spontaneous decision to explore the west of France instead. After some research on Hotels.com, we found a budget-friendly gem, Residence Lagrange Vacances L’Estuaire, nestled near the beautiful beach of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Gironde. With an indoor pool and numerous nearby hiking trails, it was the perfect place for our family getaway.

To begin our journey, I booked a DFDS ferry from Dover to Calais at 7.30 pm. However, as luck would have it, at 2.50 pm, we were still at Newport’s service RoadChef, grabbing McDonald’s for the boys, as nobody managed to cook anything before our departure. At 3.30 pm, we found ourselves stuck in traffic in Bristol, praying for a miracle that would get us to the port on time.

Finally, at 9.30 pm, we arrived safely in France, commencing our nine-hour adventure. Adjusting to driving on the right side and getting used to speed limits in kilometers instead of miles took a little getting used to, but we were thrilled for the new experiences that awaited us.

After spending £69 on tolls, we reached the ferry at Rayan by 5.45 am. Exhausted and longing for a good night’s sleep, we had to wait until 7.45 am for our crossing.

After an additional £48 fee for our car and all five of us, we embarked on a mere thirty minute journey across the river. Finally, we had arrived! Tired but filled with excitement, we were eager to enjoy our time relaxing on the beaches and by the pool. We quickly collected the keys to our apartment, settled in, and then I instructed the boys to take a quick shower.

Meanwhile, my partner and I headed to Lidl and Carrefour for some essential groceries to fill up the fridge. Upon returning, we found the boys already fast asleep. After unloading the groceries, we decided to join them for a nap. I set an alarm for 2 pm as we still planned to explore the surrounding areas. The midday rest turned out to be a brilliant idea. We woke up refreshed and ready for action. While the boys ventured out to explore what our vacation spot had to offer, I whipped up a quick lunch of BBQ chicken with zucchinis and peppers, which turned out to be a hit with everyone. After tidying up the kitchen, we all changed into our swimwear and took a half-hour walk to St. Nicholas beach.

The walk itself was a delightful experience – a sandy path surrounded by an enchanting forest. And the beach, one of the best we had ever visited, was a sandy paradise with playful waves, and we had it all to ourselves. We couldn’t have asked for a better time!

We returned to the apartment at 9 pm, ready for a bedtime snack, shower, and a well-deserved night of rest. Oh, did I mention it was also my son’s 14th birthday? He absolutely loved it! Being not much of a party boy, he cherished the time spent with the entire family.

In the end, our family adventure in France was a resounding success. From picturesque beaches and serene forests to delightful family moments, it was a trip we would cherish forever. We can’t wait to see where our next journey takes us!