I have started saying goodbye to stuff and missing them already. The last day in Greece, last day in the sea (was the same day), last really warm day, last dinner out and today is the last time we arrived and set up ourselves in a camping, following our well known routine.
That is: we arrived at the reception, Martijn stayed with the kids in the camper and I did the talk. As it always goes, today included, we entered the camping and chose how to park in our spot (where is the sun, where is the nice view, how we can maximize the running space for Gioia in the front). Then Martijn opened the front tent, connected the electricity, switched on the gas, unfolded and placed the front mat and put the table and chairs on it. At the same time I removed the car seats of the kids, placed the one of Gioia on the driver’s seat and the maxi cosi on the passenger’s. Then I closed the front curtains and fixed the table inside so that equal space is right and left and we can sit comfortably inside, if needed.
Martijn was smart to immediately take the IKEA box with Gioia’s toys out of the storage, so she could do something else than dancing with a towel on her shoulders screaming ‘Let it go..’, jumping from the camper’s two steps to the ground (she only fell once so far, despite the multiple warnings of the last 2 months. Which were pointless, cause she still performs the show many times a day. Double sigh).
The routine goes on as follows and today was no exception: I take out the baby phone from the cupboard, which we only use as thermometer, and I assess the temperature inside to open/close windows accordingly. Necessary pre-requisite is that Martijn has connected the electricity, but usually is a ‘yes’. Then I take the milk making stuff of Alex from the cupboard and put them right on the kitchen table, so they are immediately reachable. After that, and with a sense of control that if disaster strikes we can dump a bottle in his mouth, (doesn’t happen, but I still enjoy the i-am-in-control sensation), I place the ladder of the kids’ bed, bring down the alkof and put the ladder there too. I take a look and enjoy the clean and tidy camper. I know this order will only last for few minutes.
Alex is ‘ba ba ba’-ing, Gioia (or rather Elsa) is in heaven and Martijn has a skill to relax after that. Sissy not. ‘Do we have internet?’ ‘Shall I make bites’ ‘Maybe I start cooking?’ ‘Where are the toilets?’ ‘Did you see this cool van/camper/tent/kids/whatever?’ ‘I like/don’t like the neighbours’, ‘Why are you not talking’, ‘Can you hold Alex?’ Blah blah blah blah.
Today the trip lasted for ever and I literally laid down with Gioia on the camper’s floor while Martijn was still driving. My back was hurting (bloody passengers seat) and Gioia was so quiet during the long trip that I though ‘poor her, she needs to move a little’. We colored with markers and acted as if we sleep, with pillows and covers and everything. On the floor, while driving. I know. If you think this sounds bad let me tell you that when things go south, I usually not only sit on the floor, entertaining Gioia, but at the same time I HOLD Alex. Martijn warns us by saying: ‘roundabout’, or ‘right turn’ when needed, to avoid his whole family flying in the cabin. I will not miss that.
But I will miss all the rest.
Today we counted:
– 59 nights in the camper
– 32 different campings
– 1 night at Alex’s party
– 2 nights in the boat
Two more nights to go and then 1,5 hrs driving to Martijn’s parents. Not much of a roadtrip left, we intend to enjoy every kilometer – hopefully with each family member on their own seat.