I clearly remember last October half term. It seemed that everybody was away on holiday. Either basking in the sun, enjoying the theme parks in Florida or taking a break closer to home. I vowed then that we would go away the following October. And as the husband’s birthday coincided with the start of the holidays, it seemed the perfect time to go.
I posted last year about how we never tire of visiting Auchenlarie Holiday Park in Scotland. As we usually visit during the summer, we were eager to visit the beautiful area of Dumfries and Galloway in the Autumn. I booked a Friday to Monday break, and after collecting Katie from school (Morgan had the added bonus of an inset day), we were on our way to Scotland.
Thankfully the traffic was kind to us and less than 4 hours later we were checked in, admiring the view from our decking. We usually book the park lodge, but this time I booked a gold caravan. I must admit it has been a fair few years since we have holidayed in a caravan, much preferring the luxury that lodges can offer. But the caravan was comfortable, modern and spacious.
After unpacking we headed to the Galloway Burger House, in the nearby town of Gatehouse of Fleet. You can read my full review here, but if you are ever in the area I can highly recommend the amazing burgers.
The following day was the husband’s birthday. After a morning of opening his presents, somebody tripping the caravan electrics (cough me) we all managed to get out of the door for 10.30am. Hywel and Katie were booked in to do Water Zorbing at the fantastic Laggan Outdoor Adventure, which is less than 2 minutes away from Auchenlarie. This is our 3rd time at Laggan having done archery, clay pigeon shooting, grass sledging and the zip wire on previous occasions. This time though it was to chuck themselves down a hill, in a hamster ball filled with freezing cold water. Yes MADNESS.
Daughter came to her senses when she realised how cold the water was and she bailed out. But the husband, in his swimming trunk glory, managed it. What a way to celebrate turning 45. There was only one thing to do after that, head to the onsite café for homemade pancakes with bacon and maple syrup.
The rest of the day was spent wandering around nearby Dumfries, enjoying a curry in the caravan and playing holiday bingo. No wins though sadly.
On the Sunday we had a wonderfully chilled out day. That’s the thing with holidaying with older kids, they are just as happy to chill out as we are. We headed back to the Galloway Burger House for a long leisurely lunch. Afterwards we picked up the Sunday papers and magazines for the kids, and had a lovely hour reading together back at the caravan. Later on we explored the private beach at the site, and got some much needed sea air.
It felt so good to be back at Auchenlarie for our 5th time. Despite us normally visiting for a whole week, the weekend break was just enough to recharge our batteries. Just in time for the busy months leading up to Christmas. I love that it’s one of the places we all agree to keep coming back to, and I am sure we will be back for our 6th visit in 2017. How can you not return with those views.
I was not asked to write this review. I booked our holiday and paid £220 for our gold 2 bed caravan through Hoseasons. You can also book direct with the park.
Wow that hill looks crazy for water zorbing. That would be great on a Summer’s day wouldn’t it.
That is exactly what I said, how refreshing it would be on a lovely summers day. But no husband wanted to do it on a cold October day in Scotland. He had lots of fun though, crazy person that he is x
it looks like you had a great time up north x
It was a lovely chilled out time away, thanks Rachel x
That zorbing looks brilliant and it looks like the weather was kind to you too – well for Scotland! Thanks for linking up to #MondayEscapes Tracey.
The weather was fantastic Karen. In our 5 visits to Scotland we have seen everything, from torrential rain for a whole 36 hours, to actually applying suncream last year. Hywel said zorbing was fantastic x
That looks fab, I wish I was brave enough to say i’d do the Zorb ball haha.
Not my idea of fun I must say! But husband loves anything like this, he says it keeps him young ha x
It looks lovely and it really doesn’t look like a caravan at all! It’s great that you can get there in just four hours.
Those burgers look delicious and the zorbing sounds like utter madness! Cold water at the end of October in Scotland?! No thank you!
Exactly what I said to him Sarah, cold water in October in Scotland. No wonder Katie bailed out when she dipped her toe in the freezing water. The caravan was certainly our little home from home x
Wow this looks amazing and such a beautiful place. The food yum!!!! Glad you have fun xx
It is definitely our ‘go to place’ when we all need some relaxation, but also have fun family times too x
This sounds so relaxing Tracey, I love a good caravan holiday and must be so nice to have chilled out days with the kids. I can’t quite believe you’re husband went in that giant ball for a birthday treat, haha, at least he enjoyed himself. Love the photo of you all and glad you enjoyed it xx
He said he would have gone down it 10 times if he had the chance!, he is a little crazy like that ha. I forgot how good staying in a caravan actually is, as we usually stay in lodges when going away in the UK. Nothing like being in a caravan, nice and cosy with the rain coming down x
Oh my I am loving the zorbing! I know what you mean about half term, we were in Scotland last time and Orlando this year at the last minute – both were amazing. This looks like the kind of trip I needed to restore energy after a hectic half term, as you say charge the batteries for Christmas – I’m shattered, (but happy). Love that view too and the family pic is gorgeous! #mondayescapes
I loved following your adventures in Orlando Penny, but yes it’s certainly not a relaxing holiday is it. Husband loved the zorbing, and it was one crazy way to celebrate turning 45 x
Oh now you make me want to go back to Dumfries and Galloway! I don’t think I’d fancy the zorbing (the idea of your hubby in his trunks, in the cold, careering down a hill has put me off, funnily enough!) but fancy maybe a spot of archery.
Those burgers look delicious.
A perfect little break. #mondayescapes
Oh how we laughed at him stood there in his trunks. It was certainly one way to celebrate his birthday. I am missing Dumfries and Galloway already, and planning our next visit in 2017 x
What a lovely weekend in a beautiful part of the world. Well done hubby for water zorbing – definitely braver than me! I love the sound of all the relaxing. A perfect break! #MondayEscapes
Braver than me too! It was certainly a relaxing holiday which I think we all needed. We had a really busy September and October, so it was nice to head to our favourite caravan park to relax x
I think each family has a place that is special to them and it sounds like Auchenlarie is your place. I’ve been looking for a family friendly holiday park in Scotland and this sounds ideal so I will check it out. #mondayescapes
Joanne you are not wrong as it is definitely our special place. And even though the kids are 10 and 14 they still ask to go back each year. It is a lovely caravan park in a beautiful part of Scotland x
Tracey it looks so fab, I haven’t stayed in a caravan since I was little they have changed a lot. Those pancakes look so amazing, and I LOVE Scotland what a wonderful place x
We used to do a lot of caravan holidays when the kids were smaller, and it was nice to stay in one again. This was a gold caravan but it was worth every penny x
That looks so nice Tracey, It is years since I’ve been on holiday in Scotland and I’ve never taken the kids, so think I will have a look! x
It is a beautiful part of Scotland where we go, and really easy to get to. It just pulls us back each year x
Oh I would love to stay in a Scottish lodge one day but that caravan looks nice and comfy too and what a way to celebrate a birthday. I’m
not sure zorbing is for me but it sounds like it was the perfect thing for your hubby
Zorbing is definitely not for me either, but yes right up hubby’s street. Caravan was really nice and cosy, and the best bit was the amazing sea view we had x
I’d so love to visit Scotland, I really must one day the views are fantastic. Your caravan looks like a home from home, so cosy.
Thank you Anne, oh you must visit Scotland. It is a beautiful country with so much to offer. Our caravan was definitely a home from home x