This is it. The last day, of the last holiday. What to say, what to say?
Two+ years ago, Joe and I set a goal that we would travel every half-term and term break in the kids’ school schedule. And we did! Sure, we had a list of places we wanted to go. But, we also knew from experience that for every place we crossed off our list, we would add three more. Wanderlust is a moving target.
With two full-time jobs and three full-time kids, we wanted a reachable goal. And taking advantage of the school breaks seemed like the right plan. Didn’t matter where we went, or how long, just somewhere new. Some trips were about the destination, and getting there was something we wanted to forget as soon as it was over. No trip was ever restful, I’ll say that. But nothing is restful with three young children. I repeat. Nothing. It sounds kitchy, but each trip changed us, in some way or another. Taught us something about ourselves and/or our children. Because they are constantly changing and as soon as you think you have figured out how to travel with them…they change. They’re cheeky like that.
So many times, we found ourselves grateful for the three years we spent in mainland Europe. It took the pressure off our wanderlust. Without the pressure to leave the island, we were able to explore so much more of the United Kingdom. Sure, there are so many more places we would have loved to visit. But we feel like we did a damn good job of getting to know Great Britian. And that’s the point.
So, on with it already — the last hurrah!
We hiked to two locations, which are the tourist gems (ahem, traps?) of the Jurassic Coast. This is a beautiful corner of England, I will say. The most beautiful we have seen, I believe. But Joe and I have an inside joke, of sorts. Sometimes we compare places to clubbing on South Beach. Yes, I know, we are way too old for clubbing. But we used to. On South Beach. And going clubbing on South Beach looks amazing…from afar. But when you get up close…it’s just gross. If you look too closely at things, if you see the trees instead of the forest, you just want to go back home. These two locales were like that – don’t look too close or you’ll get the icks.
So, we’ll skip the nitty gritty here and enjoy the beauty of a long-distance perspective. It is the last hurrah, after all. We want to keep things traumhaft.
DURDLE DOOR
It was a beautiful day, and we kept peeling off our layers as we hiked to the iconic Durdle Door.
My little adventurer and I walked all the way down to the beach. Love her spirit!
On the way back, we took a break on the top of the cliff. Look at them! Wild and free and collecting tics!
And this is what it looks like when no one will listen to me.
LULWORTH COVE
After lunch, we headed to Lulworth Cove. Did some good rock throwing and then I was pleasantly joined by two adventurers on a climb to the top of the cove for a look-see.
And then…ice cream!
Even after all that, we convinced them to explore the Redcliffe towpath along the River Frome, outside the front door of our lodging.
These kids never cease to amaze me. Over the past two years, they have spent days and days in the car. They have handled flight delays without issue. They have slept and eaten in the strangest of places. They have woken up early, they have stayed up waaaaay too late. They have asked, “What’s our adventure today?” while eating breakfast. They have always said ‘yes’. They have taken on what’s in front of them with aplomb.
We are so incredibly proud of them and all they have accomplished these past two years. The last hurrah has made me sentimental and nostalgic.
Use Your Accent 