Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,
We’ve been travelling for four months a year since 1989 when my husband Bob took early retirement. We’re creatures of habit and stay in the same van parks at the same times each year. We love the familiarity of the same places and of knowing what to expect. Many of the managers and owners treat us like long-lost friends, save us our favourite site, and always say: “See you next year!” The problem is we won’t be taking our trip next year. Bob and I are celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary and the kids have banded together to buy us a cruise instead. I would never tell them, of course, but I think we’d both rather stick to our routine. And what about all those park operators? I feel like I’ll be letting them down.
Betty
Congratulations first of all on your upcoming anniversary. How wonderful that you are concerned about your caravan park ‘friends’. I am sure none of them would feel you were ‘letting them down’ if you made different travel arrangements next year. However, given that you have been visiting the same places for so many years, I am sure that they would be concerned about you also if you abruptly stopped coming. Just drop them an email or give them a quick call to explain what your kids have done. I’m sure the park owners will be delighted for you. But don’t forget to tell them you want your favourite site back in 2014 … unless, of course, you fall in love with the cruising lifestyle … and you might!
Jaclyn
You think you’ll be letting the caravan park owners down? They treat you like long-lost friends? Holy cow, Betty. I want you to tell me exactly where you normally stay because I want to check them out for myself. I think I’m doing pretty well if the reception people bother to glance at me as I hand over my $40. I’ll definitely look after your favourite sites for you Betty … but I can’t promise I’ll give them back! In terms of the cruise itself, I think you are way too soft with your ‘kids’. If you don’t want to hit the high seas, just tell them so and that you would prefer cold, hard cash instead. It should be about making you feel good, not them.
Heidi
