Holiday worry

I know how you feel. Our minds go into overdrive with an the what ifs!

It's quite normal to have these feelings and I'm sure all will be fine once you get there!

Arrive, sigh of relief, enjoy your holiday!

Oh I can relate to that
I ‘what if’ and catastrophize and thankfully it rarely happens, but just spoils the fun or enjoyment you would have if you didn’t, so try your best not to, be firm with yourself and chuck the thoughts out as soon as they enter

Perhaps setting up some contingency plants for "worst case scenario" would help with your anxiety? Just an idea but; if your husband falls ill, can you have a family member on standby who would be willing and able to come out to you to help? Find out before you travel where the nearest GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital is. St9re the number 9f a taxi company into your phone before you set off; it'll be there if you need it in an emergency. Make sure you've packed all medicines before you go. Phone the campsite and ask if, in the case of an emergency, would they be able to accommodate you for a little while longer. Perhaps if you set up some pre arranged plans to mitigate your worries, you'd feel more comfortable and relaxed about going?

I presume from you post that you are towing your own caravan is this just in the UK or abroad? If just in the UK try not to worry about the what ifs we can all do that but probably very unlikely to happen. We only holiday in the UK or Jersey and I sometimes wonder what would happen if my husband was ill as I am not keen on driving his very large car but suppose I would have to put my big girl pants on and get on with it.

Yes it's in the UK. Never towed , and only drive locally these days . I have taken out insurance in case he can't drive. He'll probably be fine but has been admitted to hospital many times over the years.

I think Cardamom’s suggestion of making contingency plans is a good idea. I’d go further and write down your worries and a plan of action. Once you see a solution in writing it may help your anxiety by stopping the same fears whirling round in your head. If it helps take a file of “ what to do if” with you to refer to in the event of small emergency.

Where-ever you are in any part of the UK, however remote, available by a 999 call there will be ambulances available to take him to an NHS hospital for NHS care. Just like at home.

Just in case, you could keep in the car a small hospital admission bag containing supplies like pyjamas, a towel, washbag and list of any medical treatments with contact details of doctors treating him back home, family members etc.

I also tour in a caravan, in the UK and in Spain and France. Most site wardens are very helpful and supportive and in an emergency will step up to help. Most sites will find space for you if needed and in the highly unlikely scenario that they couldn’t do this would probably be able to store your caravan securely and you could find a premier inn or similar nearby.

Start getting used to driving your DH's card. Go out each day and drive for 10 or 15 minutes.

Start driving your car further afield, once a week, initially with your DH with you drive your car 20 miles from home to an area you are not familiar with. Use SatNav directions to get home. Make sure you know how to use a satnav, either incar or on your telephone.

Could manage the car,just. But not the caravan

If you're anything like me, the minute the last thing's packed & house is all locked up & you're underway, you'll relax & feel better.
I don't know if the insurance is for someone else to do the towing back, or for you to drive. I'm sure the site owner would have a spare corner where a caravan that didn't need hook-up could be stored, & you could just concentrate on getting you both back. But as you say, likely he'll be fine & you'll both have a good time.

I understand how worried you are dollydaydream. DH has been ill on both our last two holidays. In one case, in Northumberland, we were 55 miles from the nearest A&E, and we were not somewhere remote but in a popular tourist place.

He is now in much better health, but we have decided to take it careful this year. First a weekend away, one hours drive from home and then a week away a 2 hour drive away. If both of them go well and he stays well, we will risk a holiday further away from home in the Autumn.

DH has had years of ill health and has needed medical attention when we have been on several holidays. We always pack his hospital bag in the boot of the car and we always check where the nearest hospital is. I have also found that in some parts of the country it is much easier to get an appointment with a GP than it is at home. We no longer travel more than a couple of hours from home in case I need the DC.

dollydaydream68

Could manage the car,just. But not the caravan

Can you practise towing?
I've towed our caravan through France to give DH a break and it was easier than I thought, even though it was on the 'wrong' side of the road.

Otherwise, is it time to make the decision to give up the caravan and perhaps hire a static van for holidays? Or hotels?

There are caravan towing courses you can attend (for a reasonable fee). They range from "all you need to know about caravanning" to towing only. I have towed our van some years ago but intend to go on a refresher this year as DH has some mobility issues now. The Caravan Club run some courses but there are also private organisations do similar.

I had thought of a course but have little confidence driving anyway. DH always drives and in the past has been critical,so I gradually stopped. I drive locally now

dollydaydream68

I had thought of a course but have little confidence driving anyway. DH always drives and in the past has been critical,so I gradually stopped. I drive locally now

This happens so much. My father did this to my mother. Once they retired he did all the driving, mainly because he really enjoyed it, so she gradually drove less and less, until she stopped altogether and would not have been safe driving.

I learnt the lesson of my parent's behaviour. I have always made sure I drive freuently, that I drive both our cars, regardless of size and always share driving on long journeys.

Fortunately DH has never been critical of my driving and as he also travelled away from home a lot when he was working, freuently I had no choice about driving long distances or driving the bigger car.

But I do understand dollydaydream68 how these situations occur and how difficult it is when you have to start working against your usual pattern.

butterandjam

Where-ever you are in any part of the UK, however remote, available by a 999 call there will be ambulances available to take him to an NHS hospital for NHS care. Just like at home.

Just in case, you could keep in the car a small hospital admission bag containing supplies like pyjamas, a towel, washbag and list of any medical treatments with contact details of doctors treating him back home, family members etc.

Good ideas.

Thank you everyone for all your constructive comments. It's really helped x