My Very First Holiday Ever Away with My Boys as a Single/Lone Parent

Hi, I'm mum to three boys, George, Henry, and Rupert.

Last year I won a holiday, a small breakaway to Wales, the win was very exciting news because I was super exhausted from life. It would be my first breakaway ever with my children alone and my first rest and get away in two years.

So this weekend just gone, on Friday 22nd, February we went away, packed a very large wonderful picnic with watermelon, fresh ham rolls, fresh cheese rolls, crisps, sausage rolls, drinks, bananas, chocolate, cake, lots of lovely things to get us through the three-hour journey. So we set off and the weather was okay, stopped off along the way so the boys could toliet if needed and stretch legs. Before we knew it we were in Wales, it was busy so I had to really concentrate. Our journey to the place we were staying was a trek as we had to go up roads down roads and take this big hill. My eldest son was able to navigate perfectly. As we saw the sign to our holiday I made a left turn. And there it was.

Surrounded by miles and miles of beautiful countryside we had arrived. Parking up, all three boys were very excited. The key was in the door to our converted barn. The boys ran off to explore which room they would be having. Everyone so excited and a relieved mum saying to herself well done you made it Lucy on you're own.

I unpacked the car as the boys got settled, my youngest son wanting to get into the hot tub as soon as myself and Henry my second son had found it. The views were absolutely beautiful as you could see all the tiny houses in the distance. There was a park which made Rupert very happy as he had it all to himself.

We didn't venture out again that day, as the sun was shining so bright and it was warm we decided to all get our flip flops on and get into the hot tub. Enjoying the warmth and watching the view before our eyes we were together at peace and happy.

The boys enjoyed the swim and were chatting away, that afternoon, we enjoyed the rest of our picnic and met the owner Gareth who was very kind and welcomed us with open arms.

As the night drew in, the view from over the hill was even more beautiful as all the little lights were on and for a second it looked like Christmas. It was very special and I felt lucky, happy to be there with my sons and at peace in the moment. That night we settled with hot chocolates, although I'd been given two lovely bottles of wine as had a tiny headache so thought best to enjoy them Saturday. Everyone slept well including my second son who sometimes gets scared.

We woke early to my youngest demanding everyone gets up for fun to go out and explore. So that's what we did, the children got dressed; we sat at this wonderful French wooden farmhouse table and ate cereal in nice clean bowls with fresh milk and had eggs on toast overlooking the views, they were so excited, there were beautiful fresh flowers on the table too which I took a picture of. I did decide that I'd enjoy my cup of tea in a teacup and saucer overlooking the meadow so I did sit outside and enjoyed the fresh air and nature.

Before I knew it we were off out the boys so excited, we found a local beach and went for an explore. It was wonderful being at the beach something that is so good for me that I don't get to do often. I knew we couldn't go far as I was worried about petrol and money so I set a budget for the day.

Then I got a message from someone I know saying she or he had put some money into my account so we could enjoy a nice lunch. I was at that moment eternally grateful and relieved. So we decided to drive to Cardiff; little did I know that it was a far drive and £25 petrol later and a stop at the services to grab a Greg's vegan sausage roll we finally made it. Ha ha.

We checked out the harbour and local restaurants. Ate ice cream at the parlour, saw the great water monument and went into the theatre gift shop. O and popped into the local Tesco (like parents do) for wipes and water and chips to go with our pizza for tea. It was like a little community in there but thrown in were tourists, like us.

Walking back to the car park, I saw a gift shop and told the boys I'd have a quick look, it was quick because they all soon followed me in like ducklings and as the lady who was behind the till didn't look friendly I was worried the boys would touch something so we left quickly.

Walking back we were all laughing and joking the boys finding it funny I had found a cute little gift shop and they had to come in to have a look. So we drove home, a long drive but made it back to our little piece of heaven.

Before I could say flip flops and towels the boys were back in the hot tub as the sun was going down we hit a wonderful warm sunny afternoon. And they played and I watched and I was able to enjoy some wonderful Processco and rose wine also.

We had pizza and chips that evening for tea, so after cooking and washing up I was tired. The boys settled in for the night and I read my magazine about mindfulness, a gentle reminder from a friend once I'd got to Wales to switch out and breath even consider turning the phone off and to try the water from the tap, fresh and cold so I did just that. Great advice, thank you, sweetheart.

The following morning, we were up and while the boys were into the hot tub, I packed ready for home. We had been there two sleeps already and it was Sunday now, home time. Gareth had said there was no immediate rush which was good because I had lots too do and very little help. I decided to sit out on the bench once the car was packed and do some art , so Henry and Rupert joined me and it was lovely. We did some drawing, had a chat, and the boys were able to enjoy the hot tub some more.

We thanked Gareth and he took a picture of us to go on his website to show people, you can win holidays. We were proof it works.

Driving home we popped into Swansea, that beach was wonderful and it was so warm. Rupert me and Henry all took our shoes off, George doesn't like the sand on his feet. The boys started looking for crabs and we walked right out to shore watching the sea and waves crashing down. It was perfect and fresh and happy. I took loads of boomerang moments and pictures of the children. The fresh sea water was absolutely freezing, when it hit my feet it went through me, painful as so cold well frezing but absolutely liberating and so good to get close to nature.

Our drive home was long, we got caught up in lots of traffic and there was a few stops and starts. Burger king at this really clean services allowed us to stop for good and refresh. That was nice, although I think the boys managed to waste £10 of my coins trying to win a toy. It kept them busy at least whilst I had a rest. Ha ha.

Home nearly four hours later, but home.

Wowwwwwwww, what a wonderful time we had, a lovely relaxing (not always for me) break away with my children.

For me the trip away came with lots of emotions, at first I didn't know why but then I decided to just go with everything I was feeling. I was lonely, yes I had my children with me but I'd have enjoyed some adult company, too have shared that wine with someone and watched the sun set in the hot tub together. George is growing up, as soon as we got their he wanted to go on his phone and be upstairs in his room, Henry following. So it was just myself and Rupert and his daily demands that most seven-year-olds come out with, but soon even he got bored of me and wanted to be with his brothers. I did a lot of thinking, about life, my life, where I am, where I want to be, what I want at 36 nearly 37 , how am I feeling, physically, emotionally and mentally.

I got emotional at the beach watching my children and again at the hot tub when they had first got in it and it was so lovely hearing them talking away together it was cute and really warmed my heart. I felt a massive sadness though because I have missed out on so much with them as I've not had the money to do nice things. I've made many sacrifices over the years as a lone parent, harsh ones and the effects were and have been massive in me. In some of my pictures I look tired, drained and exhausted from life, life changes us, life has many ups and downs, good days and bad days I know. I was excited, happy, lucky, grateful, to have my boys with me and you know we had sunshine from the moment we got there untill we came home so I was convinced someone was looking over myself and my children. This break away was the first one I had ever had with my children alone, it was a big deal, making me realise actually you can do a lot more than you give yourself credit for, you are a strong woman. It was also my first break in two years so it made me realise again just how I've not had time to come away, recharge and rest and get back too it I've not had a rest so it has showed in many ways and this has not been good for me, this made me deeply sad, I have existed not lived. The time away with my boys allowed me to heal actually from lots of things and or at least start the healing process. My journey, my life with so much good to come, despite struggling and despite horrors of my past. What life has dealt me, how some people have treated me.

Leading up to going to Wales, I nearly pulled out as it was half term the week before and I didn't have much money. I couldn't work much because I had my children. I had to go without heating and hot water and didn't eat much so the children could eat so there was enough money to go away. I did this so we could have a nice time but it wasn't easy and it made me feel very low.

I will always be thankful to Wales for the journey of self discovery that I had whilst there, for the beautiful views, for the hot tub as it was a massive hit with my children, for the time away with my children , for the love and peace and happiness moments we shared as a family. For the extra money as without it, we would not have been able to go to Cardiff or eat as well as we did.

I hope to return some day, hopefully, a lot sooner than later.