Challenge

09/29/09/30: Friday/Saturday

The last 24 hours have been really tough. But what can you do to make it so pleasant for your child? And to be honest, you benefit from it yourself.
We started our journey to Sardinia on Friday at 6 p.m. Unfortunately, Sven had an early shift and had to get up at half past six. I wanted to spend the morning with Amelie and Hatce. Above all, I wanted to see Hatce again since she would have left by the time we got back from vacation.
Since we unfortunately couldn't book any other ferry than the one on Saturday morning at 9 a.m., we were faced with a night trip despite getting up early and having a full day's schedule. The plan was to drive overnight, but actually a day later and then rested and more relaxed.

The journey to Livorno went like chewing gum. Driving through Switzerland was the most tiring as there was some construction and road narrowings and we barely made any progress. From midnight onwards we took turns every hour. We were both completely exhausted and every minute of the journey was torture. The pure journey time was calculated to be 10 hours, we needed 13 and I'm happy about the 4 hour buffer that we had planned. We were at the port in Livorno at 7 and check-in started (almost) on time at 7:30.

I love it when we get to join the queue for campers and motorhomes. I always have the feeling that the other travelers feel and exude the same vibe as us.

This type of travel is completely different. When I talk to friends and acquaintances who have little or no camping experience, I often have to justify our vacations. It's tiring having to cook, wash up, clean up and plan even on vacation.

Yes, I'm sure I'll feel like going on a hotel holiday or a holiday apartment again at some point (next summer at the latest we'll be going back to the mountains with Simba and we'll probably book ourselves into an Airbnb), but at the moment camping is exactly the right thing!

Even though we have to do the dishes at home, I don't mind washing dishes or hanging up laundry when I'm on vacation. Sven once described washing pots in “the great outdoors” as meditative. I wouldn't go that far, but at least I don't see it as work.

With Michel it's a bit of a challenge every now and then, as a few circumstances or circumstances are now more important to us than before. We try to find quiet places to make it easier for him to fall asleep in the evening. Nevertheless, you are not immune from encountering - let's say - special neighbors. However, the vast majority of people on campsites know how to behave and are considerate of one another.

In the parking lot in front of the ferry, Sven made us the first “camper coffee” of the vacation and I can say that coffee has rarely felt as good or tasted as good as it did that morning.

Fortunately, the ferry crossing was very, very relaxed. Michel slept a lot (in the carrier, of course) and we were able to take turns closing our eyes and also taking a nap. There were very few passengers on board and everyone stayed quiet. I think some of them had a night trip.

We arrived in Olbia an hour later than planned and after a quick shop and check-in at the campsite, we sank exhausted into our camping chairs at 8 p.m. Michel was always in a good mood throughout the day and he also fell asleep in the evening without any problems.

Cooking was no longer an option, so we had some cereal and some fruit.

On the ferry we treated ourselves to a piece of pizza and a cappuccino (both very, very tasty) and actually we just wanted to go to bed. Of course (who would have expected anything else) I was so exhausted at the end of the day that my mood sank quite low and of course Sven had to endure it again. I'm always able to catch myself, but at first I'm putting a lot of strain on Sven. I was really looking forward to the holiday, the sun and the sea.

And with the prospect of perhaps even being able to drink my first coffee on the beach, I fell asleep completely happy and content. Michel, as always on a camper vacation, next to me and Sven in the bed above us. It's just too crowded with three of us and sleeping separately from Michel doesn't make much sense at the moment as I still breastfeed him regularly at night. But that will change at some point and we will definitely be able to cook for him on his next vacation.