Our family summer holiday has officially begun, and this year we’ve taken the plunge and tried somewhere completely new: Sunny Beach, Bulgaria. With a 6am flight out of Cardiff, our alarms were screeching by 2:30am – though with two kids in tow, there’s never really such a thing as being early or prepared. We made it to the airport with plenty of time, but somehow still found ourselves scrambling over snacks, shoes and last-minute toilet stops.
The flight itself was a smooth 3 hours and 45 minutes, and to my amazement, the kids were content watching their tablets and didn’t treat the cabin like a soft play centre. A parenting win. Leaving Wales in a brisk 12 degrees and stepping out into 30-degree heat was nothing short of traumatic for me – a man whose insulation levels rival that of a polar explorer. I was built for the tundra, not a beach resort.
But what a start it’s been. Day one has already delivered food, swimming, dancing, and our first family disco. The kids are still buzzing in the next room — I can hear them chattering and playing music, and while I hope they crash soon, I’m hanging on by a thread myself. Despite the heat and exhaustion, today’s been brilliant. I’m already looking forward to what the week has in store — once I cool down, rehydrate, and convince the kids that sleep isn’t optional.
