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Monday 11 June 2012

We Did It!!

Soooooo, after our fruitless reconnaissance visit to Donegal last Tuesday with the boys, a follow up was hastily organized for Friday, this time just the two of us. Weather wise, it could not have been worse-the rain was coming down in sheets, there were flash flood warnings everywhere and my hair was completely flat. I did wonder if we were mad, but I told myself that if we STILL love Donegal under these conditions, then we're doing the right thing. The plan was we'd lift the three older boys after Sports Day, drop them & the bambino to my mum's and get on the road as early as possible. Easy Peasy. Only of course it wasn't.
 First of all, unsurprisingly, Sports Day was cancelled because of the rain, so we set off to drive the 20 miles to my mum's later than we'd hope. Halfway there, and it hit me that crucially I'd forgotten to pack Luke's blankie. The very same blankie that Loverboy once drove 50 miles at midnight to retrieve on another occasion. So, knowing instantly what had to be done, without a word he turned the car back in the direction of home.
Thirty minutes later, with Blankie safely on board, we were back on the road, when I suddenly became aware of Rory jigging frantically up & down in the backseat. This could mean only one thing- we had a high alert Code Red Toilet Emergency on our hands and I knew it was bad when he didn't even try to deny it.
 Now, normally this isn't a big deal- with four boys, we've made these unscheduled bio breaks numerous times, fertilising many a hedge in the process, but with rain bouncing off the road and windscreen wipers at full tilt, it was a most uninviting prospect for all concerned.
 'He can't get out in that, he'll be drenched through...and I'll be drenched too!'
'If he stays in here, he'll be drenched anyway, and so will the seats and there's no way on earth I'm driving to Donegal in a car stinking of pee!'
 Nodding in agreement, we were just about to opt for the lesser of two evils, when Rory, understandably put off with the idea of relieving himself in torrential rain, insisted he could hold it. The twisted expression and ongoing rocking may have indicated otherwise, but I told Loverboy to put the boot down and we immediately initiated a distraction campaign of relentless joke telling and songs, which worked for a good 10 miles at least. But a mile or so from my mum's, it became abundantly clear that Rory and his bladder had reached tipping point, and the only solution now was an emergency stop and immediate evacuation. The problem was we were outside a service station, in a built up area, without a hedge in sight.
No time to discuss- outta the car, down the alleyway, baby wipes in hand, and the job was done as I called aiming instructions from the sidelines-
'Down the drain, Rory, down the drain, son. No, mind the shoes! MIND THE SHOES!'
 Eventually though, we made it to my mum's, swiftly deposited the children, and headed for Donegal at last in a pee free car.....it's the little things. Just a few hours later, we'd done the deal and we're now the proud new owners of a mobile home from home with central heating, double glazing and en suite- honestly, if Carlsberg did mobile homes, my lovelies! We spent that night in a cosy little hotel, drinking wine, making plans and dreamin' dreams, and thankfully when we stood on the beach the next day in the rain, we DID still love it.....Who knows, at this rate, I may even get a fleece!

24 comments:

  1. Jennifer Boyle11 June 2012 at 16:25

    Congratulations! I bet the kids are beside themselves, here's to many a happy holiday in it, cheers! (I'm not really drinking, its 8.30 am, I am just imagining the glasses of wine you two will enjoy there!) x

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    1. Oh we will! And some day, I hope the Boyles will be up to visit...and sign our Visitor's book!

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  2. Fantastic, well worth it and glad you got the luxuries Emma! e x

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  3. O fantastic! We're often tempted ourselves but can't decide between static or touring caravan

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    1. It's a tricky one...pros and cons with both. For us, there's no tourer big enough!

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  4. So pleased you got it sorted - my eldest can never manage a car trip without finding himself desperate for the loo, I do sometimes wonder if this is a man thing as hubby requires a lot more stops than I do!

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    1. Definitely a boy thing, Emily......and some boys are worse than others!

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  5. Exciting! The children will love it and of course you must buy a fleece. Its the uniform up there!

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    1. I think you might be right...as long as its leopard print!

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  6. Brilliant, and I agree a fleece is obligatory, What impresses me most about this story isn't the mobile home but the fact your mum takes your children, at once, overnight. My mum can just about cope with one of them for maximum an hour and never, ever overnight. x

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    1. I know! My mum and dad are fantastic- they've often had them happily for days at a time. We're very very lucky!

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  7. congrats Emma! you'll hav many happy memories there! i know we love visiting the murphy's van and always hav great time there! love reading through the visitors book to hear all the stories from the people who stay! ask fionnuala about it! its a must for your new van. best of luck xx

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    1. I will and that's a GREAT idea about the Visitor's book- I'll look out for one!

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  8. Fionnuala Murphy11 June 2012 at 22:29

    Yay the Horners seasoned caravaners to be. Emma tears in my eyes laughing at this another v funny blog. Well two or three bedrooms. Yes the visitors book is a must. I love to sit on a rainy afternoon in the van and read over the memories of friends and family of the van. Jen you still have to make your entry from the Boyles vist and you too Nadine. And we treasure the entries of the family no longer with us who have also enjoyed the van, its a big part of the family through three generations now so here's to you and Damien making lots of happy memories there. Fi x

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    1. Jennifer Boyle12 June 2012 at 00:49

      Loved looking at the photos of your caravan in the scrap book Fi...happy times, and more to come I hope!!

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    2. Thank you Fi- I think that's just what I need to hear. Knowing you love it so much gives me confidence that we're doing the right thing! You'd better come and sign OUR Visitor's book...

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  9. Oh Ems, how exciting!!! The little chicks will just love it!! I envisage many many happy memories in the Horners' mobility home!! Can't wait to see it!! Xxx ps wee Rors-gotta love him!

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    1. Hope so! Really looking forward to getting up there!

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  10. Officially a mobile home owner! Dying to see it kitted out in leopard throws and whatnot! Any room for 2 extra cling ons now and again, aka myself and himself?! A brand new experience for all. Btw, can Horns get one of those remote control thingys like Pat has? Xx

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    1. We don't need one of those - it's a static! As for the leopard, of course I'll be sneaking a bit in there! ;-) and yes, I'm also sure you two geeks can come and visit anytime ya like!

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  11. I'm late to this, but delighted for you Emma! Such fun :) As i look out at the mingy weather and plan to pack layers and wellies for the weekend, I'm wondering how long it will be befire we upgrade to central heating and double glazing!

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