Checklist For a First Campervan Holiday with Kids

A campervan can provide a tremendously rewarding way to spend a holiday as a family, it's something I've done a few times with my kids and not only is it a fun adventure but also a great way to bond and have some quality family time. If this is going to be your first campervan holiday, however, then you’ll want to take a few preparatory steps before you embark as it's not like a normal holiday and can take a few adjustments to get comfortable.  By getting the planning stages right, you’ll minimise the likelihood of something going wrong, and give yourself the best chance of a memorable, enjoyable experience. Selecting the Right Campervan With so many options out there today it can feel a little overwhelming but there are plenty of companies that offer campervan hire, which is an affordable way to try it out before investing in a camper yourself & also lets you see what works and what doesn't for your family. If the vehicle you choose isn’t appropriate for your famil......

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Why knowing the local laws of the Country You Are Visiting is so important

Traveling to a new country is always exciting filled with the promise of new experiences and adventures. However, as thrilling as it may be, being aware and understanding of the local laws is crucial. Imagine enjoying a sunny afternoon by the pool or day out exploring while on holiday, only to realize you have unknowingly broken a local regulation. Such situations can quickly turn a dream vacation into a stressful ordeal so preparing yourself with the right knowledge about your destination can help you avoid any issues and ensure you have a smooth and enjoyable trip. Legal Differences to Be Aware Of Every country has its own set of laws that might be very different from what you're used to.  Here are some key areas to pay attention to. Traffic Rules One of the first things to check is traffic laws. They can vary a lot from one country to another. For example, in some places, you drive on the right side of the road, while in others, it's on the left. Speed limits, seatbelt laws......

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My Motorpoint Experience - Test driving the perfect car

This is a paid collaboration with Motorpoint The first car I had when I moved to the UK was a 1975 Austin Mini, which I loved but it wasn't exactly in the best condition and while it was great fun to drive when I was a carefree twenty-something it quickly became apparent it wouldn't cut the mustard as a family car, in fact, I couldn't even find a car seat that would safely fit in it. Finding the right car to fit your needs can be quite tricky, but with Motorpoint's motto "car buying made easy" they take a lot of the stress and pressure out of finding the right car for you. I got to experience this first-hand recently as I was invited to come along to Motorpoint's Newport branch to test drive one of their vehicles. Taking a test drive is a must when you're looking to purchase a car & while we can look at different models and makes online you really cannot make a decision without trying it out first-hand to see if it really suits your needs. For tho......

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7 Reasons your Car will fail MOT

*Contains affiliate links I'll admit that I've had my fair share of failed MOT's in the past, to be fair I did drive an Austin Mini from 1972 for years so it was very old. Every year when the time of MOT approaches, we all secretly wish we could just hit the skip button and let it be. But in order to being able to carry on driving, stay safe and not have to pay a huge fine – you just cannot ignore MOT testing. What’s interesting is, the fact that even a tiny bit of negligence can hinder your vehicle from passing the exam. It could be something as trivial as empty washing fluid bottles in the car. When you are in a local town like I am in South Wales or a place like Stirling or any part of Scotland (I actually lived in Scotland for 2yrs) you have to get your MOT done on time – otherwise you will panic every time you are on the road thinking you will be caught and subject to a legal penalty. In order to prevent this, I have prepared a list of 5 sure shot reasons t......

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6 ways to prepare your car for a family road trip

I love a good road trip! Having grown up in South Africa where the nearest city was a 7hr drive away you get used to long distance trips and besides driving in South African I have also done the length of the UK from the West Coast of Scotland to Cornwall as well as across France and Italy and I've learnt a few things along the way. I've had the experience of breaking down more than once with the kids in tow and navigating country roads, getting lost, taking the car on ferries and the Eurostar and even with all the ups and downs we have always enjoyed the journey because it's all apart of the adventure that is travel. It's really important to have your car in tip-top shape before heading out on a road trip not only to reduce stress but also save you money. If your car breaks down while on a road trip it can end up costing you a whole lot more especially if you need to get it towed. 1. Make sure your MOT is up to date Not only is having a valid MOT essential......

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4 Life Hacks for Parents Flying with Kids

* Affiliated Content As a parent, you may love the idea of traveling with your young children, because you can think of no better way to expand their horizons and cultivate their curious minds than by introducing them to new countries, new cultures, new people, new sights, and new experiences! However, as we know from the Star Wars movie franchise, there is a dark side of the force out there somewhere — and for so many parents out there, it is that dreaded time in the air. Indeed, while some kids love flying and decorate their rooms with pictures and models of airplanes, many kids would almost rather go to the dentist (almost!) than board a flight. Of course, they are too young to know or care how airplanes work. But that is beside the point. They know what they like, and they know what they are not keen on and for some flying is firmly in the latter bucket. Fortunately, if you’re the parent of an unwilling or unsure passenger, then you don’t have to limit your adventur......

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Great Weekend Reads for Home or On Your Travels

I found last year I just didn't make enough time to read and I think there is something very relaxing, calming and positive about picking up a book and being immersed into a story and with this ever increasing manic world we live in taking a moment to just step back and detach yourself from the now and get lost in a book is very important. I have put together a small reading list which I feel is doable even around working from home, travel and running after two small children. I have included a mix of fiction and non-fiction as well as one or two books to help keep me inspired and help with different areas of my life. So I thought I would share my reading list for 2018 with you and perhaps encourage you to take some time out and enjoy reading. 1. The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway This is such a fantastic pocket sized book perfect for when your travelling, it's lightweight and less than 100 pages long and great if your taking a train across country or just goi......

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5 reasons why Iceland is at the top of our Bucket list

Iceland is one of those countries I have been very eager to visit for the past few years, it has everything you want in a destination with dramatic landscapes, a vibrant music scene, a fascinating history, local delicacies and who can forget the Aurora borealis aka Northern Lights?  Did. you know Iceland has been voted the safest country in the world ten times over and I have been very inspired by family travel blogger My Travel Monkey who encourages people to visit this Nordic country with kids. My kids and I love getting outdoors and being active and Iceland captures this lifestyle to the full with pursuits such as hiking, skiing and whale watching being very popular. With so much to see and do I thought I would share my top 5 things to do in Iceland that are on my bucket list 1. The Northern Lights Not only is this at the top of my list of things to do in Iceland but it's also has a firm place on my list of 40 things to do before I'm forty as I can o......

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A mini Bristol Adventure

Crossing over into England Oh there is nothing more that warms my heart than jumping in a car for a mini road trip with the little man in tow. Thats the great thing about living in the UK that cities are not hours apart like in South Africa and I love to explore the surrounding areas. Last week we crossed the boarder from Wales in England on our way to Bristol to see the lovely Fritha from Tiger Lilly Quinn and her adorable son Wilf. It's always great to be able to explore a city with someone who lives there, you get a much better perspective on things, we parked up at Fritha's house, which is in a very vibrant area on the outskirts of the city centre, when then took a bus into the city, which I love because you get to see parts of the city you would usually overlook. We went through St Nicholas market which I have been to before but not for a quite sometime and it's always a treat to be able to check out all the quirky and cool shops with old records and books as wel......

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