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Posted by on Mar 8, 2014 in Parenting, Travel | 6 comments

Our first weekend away without kids for almost FIVE years

Last weekend was the first time in almost five years that we left the house together, sans little ones, for more than a few hours.

The preceding week was ALL about preparation and my poor parents were left with pages of information about routines, mealtimes and emergency phone numbers. The pack required a staple people. My Mother listened carefully while I told her things she already knew for the umpteenth time and told me not to worry.

I worried.

And when I wasn’t worrying I was wracked with guilt. And when I wasn’t doing either of these I was giggling like a school girl. Wheeeeee!

We tiptoed out of the house at ridiculous o’clock, jumped in the car to Gatwick and sat at Cafe Rouge sipping strong coffees while we waited to board our plane to Barcelona. I actually read Vanity Fair from cover to cover. And all the time I kept expecting a little hand to tug at my sleeve or a ‘Muuuummeeeeee’. It was surreal.

Beautiful Calella de Palafrugell

We had an amazing weekend near Girona in Spain with grown up dinners, proper conversations that lasted more than five minutes and time to just be together. We visited pretty little villages like Calella de Palafrugel and Regencos and we almost bought a house (that’s a whole other story). The time away gave us a chance to reconnect, as a couple rather than as Mummy and Daddy, and I would sooooo recommend it to any parents.

When we got home Curly Girl was so excited to see us and full of tales of the wonderful time she’d had with her grandparents. Little Man was unexpectedly distant, had learned to say ‘Nana’, forgotten how to say ‘Mama’ and cried most of the afternoon after my parents left. He’d recovered by the next morning thankfully but it did make my heart cry just a little.

While we were away I took the opportunity to wear some grown-up outfits (cashmere and Marmite on toast is not a good combination *sharp intake of breath*) so I’m also joining in with Fashion Friday from the gorgeous Vicki over at Mummy’s Got Style (she has a fab competition this week too by the way, have you entered?). This is my travelling outfit photographed at our hotel Salles Hotel Mas Tapiolas.

Skirt – Ann Field wrap skirt at Zalando
Button back cashmere Jumper – from Italy, a present from OH
Tights – Marks & Sencer
Boots – M&S vintage (which means they’re about 15 years old but it sounds sooo much better)
Sunglasses – Ralph by Ralph Lauren
Scarf – grey butterfly scarf by Lisa Angel at Not On The High Street
Earings – Tiffany
Necklace – Made for me in the jewellery quarter in Shanghai
Bag – aka the black hole – chestnut leather bought in Shanghai when we lived there

Have you had a weekend away without the children? Did you find it helped you to reconnect with your husband/wife/partner?

  • http://www.circusqueen.co.uk/ Adele Jarrett-Kerr

    Sounds like a great time and you look fab! We had a night away (not ready for a whole weekend – maybe in a couple more years!) in September for our anniversary. We figured we might as well as it would be our last chance before Ophelia’s arrival. I’m glad we did but I did spend the whole time hoping Talitha was OK!

  • Mummy’s Got Style

    Oh wow, sounds heavenly, so need a little break with just the hiusband. Really important (and tough) to find that couple time isn’t it. Oh my, you look gorgeous too, thanks so much for linking up to #fashionfriday and with such a fabulous post!

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Thanks so much Adele! I know what you mean, I was worried about the littles while we were away too. Glad you made that time to get away – I bet you have your hands full now! x

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    You’re right it is difficult to find the time but we really connected again while we were away and it was really lovely. Thank you so much for your kind words too! *blush*

  • Older Mum

    You look gorgeous, and what a fab time! New home!? Younger Dad and I went out together alone for the very first time in over two years on Saturday – it was our wedding anniversary, and we had a wonderful time, like a first date all over again. I completely concur – it can work wonders for your relationship. X

  • https://bodfortea.co.uk/ bod for tea

    Thank you lovely, we were ‘window shopping’ but didn’t buy anything :) Congratulations on your anniversary by the way x