A few days ago on the Widowed and Young website I saw on there that one lucky family would be chosen to have a Christmas weekend away in the Peak District this weekend. It was a short notice thing, but thought why not, I never win anything anyway.
Had an email today saying they were able to accommodate 2 families, and we had been offered a place! Instantly panic set in. No time to prepare or get things sorted. I am sure the kids will love it. They have a buffet, magician, kids entertainer, party and disco on Saturday night. And santa is making a visit with a personalised special letter for each child and a present. Only 2 families from widowed and young are going, the other 28 families are all single parent families.
I have mixed feelings though. I know when I get there it will likely be ok, but nervous and panicky at the moment as it will be the first time away as a family without Lyanda. Guilt and dread are also making an appearance. Lyanda's dad and my parents have all told me they can appreciate what i am emotionally going through but to go and enjoy it the best I can with the kids, so nice to have some emotional support.
Thanks to you all making the gnusmobile a reality, this has become possible. Tomorrow will be a test for the gnusmobile. It is self catering so apart from Saturday evening, I need to take enough to feed us all from tomorrow until Sunday morning. And clothes. And 5 Gnusmases. We will be leaving there lunchtime Sunday so hopefully be a nice couple of days break for us.
Brilliant.
Just go with the flow. The change of scenery will surely help!
Good luck and enjoy it.
Sometimes those last minute unplanned breaks can be the most enjoyable. Have a good weekend and make some good memories.
Fantastic.n you'll have a brilliant time.
Hope you all have a good time. 👍
Enjoy Gnusmas and family!
Fantastic.
Go and enjoy every minute! Absolutely deserve it... And enjoy the road trip!
Where in the peak? Shops are available here too oi you need anything 😉
Enjoy!
Road trip for the gnusmobile! Try to stay in the moment if you can, but you're smart enough to know when you need to listen to your emotions too.
The place is called Hargate Hall. It is between Buxton, Bakewell and Castleton apparently. I haven't told the kids yet, but i have arranged with the schools to pick them up tomorrow at 12:00 and then we will go on a road trip. I might not tell them and leave it as a surprise.
I know there are shops up there, if I can get everything done tonight then it's less to worry about tomorrow. That was the thinking.
Nice one.
Enjoy the break.
👍 have a great time.
Enjoy. Take your woollies, it's breezy out there!
All other things aside, please try not to feel guilty about being able to take your kids away. Would she have wanted that?
Cougar - I know what your saying, and that's the bit I'm struggling with. I know she would want us to enjoy ourselves, but doing these things without her is going to be tough. I will try my best to enjoy, probably be a lot easier when we are there.
And I only wear shorts so wearing woollies is going to be difficult. I will be sure to have a photo taken of me in my shorts in the freezing cold weather up there.
Easier said than done, but just try to relax and enjoy the time with the kids. You’ve all been through so much and deserve a nice break. Oh and definitely post a photo of yourself freezing in your shorts 👍🏼
That's not too far from us. I'm tempted to come over, walk up to you and give you a big hug, then leave, all without saying s word
Hope it all goes well and you enjoy the break. Look forward to hearing you had a good time and the kids loved it!
I'm sure you and the kids will have a lovely time. It's a great location and you'll be annoyed you don't have a bike with you (unless you have).
I never knew Lyanda, but do you think she would have preferred you to stay at home and stare at the walls?
Have a good weekend.
Cougar – I know what your saying, and that’s the bit I’m struggling with. I know she would want us to enjoy ourselves, but doing these things without her is going to be tough.
Of course it's going to be tough. But of all the available emotions, why feel guilt? Sad, sure, but guilty? Stop it.
I get your point.
Firstly congratulations!
I had a bit of a shock when I read Hargate Hall. My granddad lived alot of his childhood in there when it was a private house owned by his uncle. Can you please take some pictures? He's no longer around but i think my mum would like to see.
His advice from one amazing human to another would be go at it and enjoy!
Firstly I’m excited and pleased for you all, you all deserve a break.
Boringly my second thought was the car. I chucked a couple of £’s in thinking it would be used for short trips. I hope it’s up to this task, but do you have breakdown cover? If not is there any money left from the ‘pot’?. If not I would chuck some small change in again if it’s still open.
If you're carrying Lyanda in your heart you are NOT doing it without her.
Not sure what time you will have but some nice little walks on the Monsal Trail (ex railway line so easy for kids). Blue John Cavern is close by but don't think you can carry kids in there.
Go, enjoy, it will be wet, windy, cold and full of memories, if the weather does actually clear up you will see lots of stars in the sky, shining as brightly as ever.
Bon voyage! 👋
“nbt
That’s not too far from us. I’m tempted to come over, walk up to you and give you a big hug, then leave, all without saying s word”
#strangest
Go have a good time, as said above Lyanda wouldn’t want you sat at home, she’d want you all to go and enjoy yourselves, she’ll be there with you all
Hopefully you're not reading this (because you should be getting ready).
Pace yourself young man. Tell Lyanda what you are doing and just enjoy.
Are you allowed visitors? I'd love to pop over and say hello (with nbt).
Can't wait to hear all about it next week.
Houns wrote
nbt
#strangest
Ok, Your name's on the list
The Hug List
Have a great time, just take it one step at a time, the Peaks is a great place.
Go on Tiger! Deep Breath & get on with it!
Spontaneous things like this always put the willies up me, and that's without all the stuff you have had to deal with. But, I always end up loving these unplanned last minute things the most.
Have Fun & don't feel guilty. Your Wife would have wanted you to embrace stuff like this.
Thanks for all the support again, really means a lot as usual. Talked to Lyanda last night, and asked her to help me this weekend. I think I'll need it.
If anyone wants to pop round then please do so. The activities start at 1:30 on Saturday so will be free before then and Sunday, looking to get a bite to eat somewhere before leaving after lunch. Recommendations and meet up possible Sunday too. You won't miss me, i will be wearing shorts and have 4 kids running riot. There is no WiFi there and reception is quite patchy apparently.
Have to come back at a reasonable time as my grandmother's funeral is on Monday. Kids don't know that though.
I won't have my bike with me, but my shorts and Raceface tshirts are packed and ready to go. Off to get the kids in a minute, then pack the car and make our way.
👍
This is a happy thing.
Nice. The Peak District is beautiful. If you have a spare half a day then Bakewell is a lovely town centre all done out for Christmas. If you want something less retail based then the Devil's Arse cavern in Castleton would be fun with the kids, it's a walk in cave and there is an entrance fee but it is cool as you get to wear a helmet with light. Have fun.
If you’re carrying Lyanda in your heart you are NOT doing it without her.
Very well said.
What that lot all said ^^^ have a brill time 😀
Car finally loaded, all the kids are in, just about to set off. A bit later than I hoped but not a problem.
Go Go Gnusmobile!
If you’re carrying Lyanda in your heart you are NOT doing it without her.
This +1.
When faced with situations like this ask yourself "What would Lyanda want me to do?"
Just go with the flow and enjoy - i'm sure your kids will love it, and i'm sure you wont be the only parent there riding a roller coaster of emotions.
Have a nice time Gnusmas
Lyanda is always in my heart and I know she is with me always. I meant it in a physical sense.
Stopped at services on the A5 near Telford to stretch legs, toilet breaks and a bite to eat. Doing OK for time, about 2 hours away still but everyone in good spirits. And the gnusmobile has been great.
And we're here. And I have signal too! Kids have all run off with the hoard of kids already here, Al of them running riots around the place. Having a cup of mulled wine at the moment.
Sounds like a fine way to spend an evening dude! If I'd have seen this earlier I'd have sorted coming over to meet up on Sunday, not sure I can fit it around working though sadly.