When looking at options for the portion of transformational leave we’d be together as a family, there wasn’t a lot of choice. It had to be a bit of an adventure, i.e. neither just a visit to family (which we do often enough) or a Mark Warner all-inclusive type thing (which is awesome, but not really challenging). I’ve had some great trips on narrowboats in UK, as a young adult and I remember one when I was 7, with our family including my mum’s parents. So while 2YO especially is a bit o the young side, this at least seemed a feasible adventure in the way doing the Three Peaks or climbing Kilimanjaro did not. Like many my age, I have a fond memory of Rick Stein and his dog (before he got ultra-rich and famous, bought half of Cornwall and became somewhat despised – Rick Stein that is, not the dog) on a boat exploring the Canal du Midi. It has a sense of the bohemian, off the grid experience that would be good for bonding as a family and a good change from London.
Finally, France meant our kids’ grandparents could join us for parts of the trip to complete the circle of experience that had started this whole plan. The whole of my transformational leave revolves around themes of heritage, family and Anglo-French connection, as will become clear.
Timsformational 