A week away from reality – Fuerteventura

We decided to book a holiday a few weeks ago which couldn’t have come at a better time, my parents had already booked to go and we decided to tag along so my mum had a drinking buddy and we had babysitters (win, win). We booked a week away in Fuerteventura staying at our much-loved RIU Olivia Beach Hotel, which we have stayed at on and off for around 20 years. I have some fantastic holiday memories as a child, teenager and a new parent taking Miss J away on her first holiday, so I was happy to take my family back with our not so new addition Mr T. I’m not sure what it is about Fuerteventura but it relaxes me so quickly and easily. Its familiar, like a home away from home, it’s reassuring, comforting and my happy place.

The plane journey wasn’t as bad as I had built up in my head and Mr T had his own seat so was more than happy watching paw patrol and stuffing his face full of crisps and sweets. I enjoyed some prosseco and even managed to get me and Mr T to take a nap together. We got to the hotel in good time and unpacked and found the restaurant so we could take advantage of the all-inclusive food and drink. The rooms here are looking dated and a little shabby, but they are still clean and have everything you need. I did notice the restaurant food was particularly fantastic this year and selection had greatly improved. I struggled to narrow down what I wanted to eat with so many tasty dishes they had on offer. I think I’ve probably gained a stone since being away. What the rooms lack the location makes up for. The beach and views are breathtaking and the beach is as good as any I’ve seen around the world.

We were very lucky with the weather and had temperatures of up to 31.8C with one over cast day out of seven. The children were more than happy in the heat, suntan lotioned up and jumping in and out the pools. Miss J managed to swim a little unaided and got very confident with throwing herself straight in off the side. Me and Miss J got to spend some amazing quality time together swimming and I enjoyed every second of it just being us. My darling husband doesn’t swim and Mr T prefered to play at the side with him whilst me and Miss J explored the deeps.

We ventured out a few times to the local town Corralejo which is around a ten minuet taxi ride away and went out for dinner twice at our favourite restaurant Waikiki. Waikiki is a lovely, friendly restaurant which does some unique eating experiences, you can cook your own meat on a metal sombrero hat, a stone and also in a fondue. On our first trip out for dinner we went with my parents and children and as enjoyable as it was it wasn’t so relaxing. Our second night was our childfree date night and we made the most of having a chilled night out and some cocktails. We took the children down in the day to see the sand sculptures on the beach and to see the local shops. The locals are so welcoming and really love children. I love how the Spanish people embrace family and don’t see children out in a restaurant at 8pm as a hinderance, but as something that is important for them to experience. I love taking my children out in the evening when abroad, and the children did a few 10pm late nights with Miss J falling asleep in the pushchair and Mr T flirting with any lady whose attention he could grab. He’s becoming a real heartbreaker with a love for blonde hair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I felt my anxiety reduce, stress disappear and worry seem a million miles away. I slept a solid 8 hours a night and napped every day for a minimum of an hour. I ate well, didn’t care about diets and embraced being the fat mum in the stomach controlling swimming costume jumping in and out of the pool. I didn’t give a fuck what anyone thought of me and felt completely happy in my own skin and liberated. I loved myself and my family and squeezed every ounce of happiness I could from it. I laughed with my children, drank and giggled with my mother and held my husband’s hand with love.

The day we travelled back I turned 29 and I decided that today would be the day that it would all change for me. I would not look back and be sad for what I had missed, but would embrace everything I have to look forward to. I will love being a mother again, I will love my life and will not let the guilt consume me when things aren’t going to plan. Life is what you make of it and I plan to make so much more out of it for me and my family. I have drive, ambition and a head full of ideas and will do everything in my power to make our little family a success. Depression may be a part of me for a long time but it has shown me how to appreciate things again and I will not let it beat me. Fuerteventura has been the break and eye opener I needed to heal.