When You Live in a Holiday Destination… Where Do You Go for the Summer Holidays?

Living in North Devon is something I never take for granted.

For most of the year, we have incredible beaches on our doorstep, beautiful coastal walks, amazing surf, hidden coves and countryside that people travel hundreds of miles to visit. We really are lucky.

But… and it's a big but…

Come the summer holidays, being a local isn't always quite as idyllic as people imagine.

The roads become gridlocked, every car park is full before you've even finished breakfast, queues seem to appear everywhere and a simple trip to the beach can suddenly feel like a military operation. Add in our wonderfully unpredictable British summer weather, and it can sometimes leave you wondering what on earth to do with two energetic boys without spending a small fortune.

By the time you've visited the local attractions for the hundredth time, been to the animal parks, swimming pools, skate parks, soft play, cinema and walked every possible stretch of coastline, you start searching for something... different.

Especially when your children are 14 and 11.

Teenagers and pre-teens don't always have the same ideas of fun!

Time Doesn't Stand Still

This year has made me stop and think.

Our land is currently one big building site, so home doesn't exactly feel like a relaxing holiday destination either. Without much of a garden at the moment, staying home doesn't really offer that "summer holiday feeling."

If I'm completely honest, if I stay at home, I know exactly what will happen.

I'll work.

I'll answer emails.

I'll think about the website.

I'll squeeze in "just one more job."

Before I know it, another week has disappeared.

With the launch of my newly rebranded LK Health & Wellbeing website and so many exciting projects coming up, there will always be something that needs doing.

But work will still be there when I get back.

Childhood won't.

The Reality of Family Life

If I'm being really honest—and that's what this blog has always been about—summer isn't always quite the picture-perfect family time people imagine.

Craig and I hardly see each other during the holidays.

Between his shop, work commitments, parenting, the house build and trying to keep everything else ticking along, we often end up like ships passing in the night.

Last-minute plans become the norm.

Weeks disappear.

Life gets busy.

I'm sure we're not the only family that feels like this.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is simply press pause.

"Mum… Can We Go On An Adventure?"

It was actually my youngest, Albie, who planted the seed.

For months he'd been telling me he wanted an adventure.

Not just a few days away.

A proper adventure.

Now, convincing my eldest, Archie, was a slightly different challenge!

At 14, he'd quite happily have stayed home or suggested somewhere closer to home in

Europe.

But this time...

I said NO.

Not because Europe isn't wonderful.

But because I didn't want to spend a small fortune during peak season.

I didn't want overcrowded resorts.

I didn't want to be surrounded by thousands of other British families doing exactly the same thing.

I wanted us to experience somewhere different.

Different traditions.

Different cultures.

Different wildlife.

Different food.

Different memories.

I wanted the three of us to properly switch off.

To laugh.

To explore.

To spend time together.

To make memories while they still actually want to spend time with their mum.

Because I know those years don't last forever.

So... What Do Teenagers Actually Want?

Rather than deciding myself, I asked them.

"What would make the perfect adventure?"

Albie...

Well... he was excited before I'd even finished the question.

He was up for absolutely anything.

Archie was a little more reserved.

But eventually he gave me a few clues.

The ocean.

Water.

Wildlife.

Animals.

Birds.

Being outdoors.

Exploring.

Seeing somewhere new.

That was enough.

The planning began.

The Countdown Has Started

I've blocked out just over three weeks.

No work.

No client appointments.

No trying to squeeze everything in.

Just time together.

Because at 14 and 11, I know these opportunities are becoming fewer.

Soon they'll have jobs, girlfriends, mates, exams and lives that don't revolve around family holidays.

I don't want to look back and wish we'd made more memories while we had the chance.

The Adventure Begins...

So that's exactly what we're doing.

The flights are getting booked - that is me being last minute.

The plans are coming together.

The countdown has begun.

Where are we going?

Well...

You'll have to wait just a little bit longer!

Let's just say it promises plenty of ocean, wildlife, adventure, culture and hopefully lots of laughter along the way.

And who knows... perhaps a few challenges too.

After all, the best adventures rarely go exactly to plan.

Follow Our Journey

Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing our adventure right here on Eat Clean, Health & Dream, along with behind-the-scenes moments, travel diaries, honest reflections, family highlights and hopefully a few useful tips if you're planning your own adventures with older children.

I'll also be sharing videos over on my YouTube channel, LK Health & Wellbeing With Loren, so if you'd like to follow along, be sure to keep checking back.

Here's to stepping away from the routine, saying yes to adventure, and making memories that will last far longer than another day at the beach.

After all, sometimes the greatest gift we can give our children isn't another attraction or expensive day out...

It's simply our time.