5 Things I Love about Self Catering
Fri, Nov 5, 2010Last week we stayed in Old Kilmory Church in Ardnamurchan for 4 nights. You can read my review of the accommodation here. We had a total media blackout – no TV, internet or mobile phones (OK, an almost blackout – we did happen across some mobile reception on a couple of occasions when we were out and about.) While I love the luxury of staying in a hotel there’s something very relaxing about self catering in a remote part of the world. Even though we had terrible weather (the gale was blowing so strongly that my husband really had to battle against the door to push it open) that was nothing comfy clothes, good food and a bottle of red wine couldn’t sort out. I actually quite like rotten weather if I don’t have to go outside, it provides a great excuse to be very lazy!
We played lots of indoors games with Euan because we couldn’t get outside. One of his favourites is ‘Round and Round the Garden’. If you look carefully you can just about make out the driving rain!
Row, Row, Row Your Boat was also a favourite!
5 things I love about staying self catering:
1. Planning a menu of all our favourite meals weeks in advance. My favourite dish last week was rump steak served with rocket, parmesan and lemon juice. Friends of ours cooked this for us for the first time a few years ago after eating it in Italy. It’s an amazing combo.
2. Time doesn’t matter. There’s no breakfast between 8am and 9am and dinner for 7pm. I like to take off my watch and we eat when we’re hungry.
3. There are usually lots of interesting things to look at and do around the home. I love having a nosy in the bookshelf and passing the time playing whatever board games are on offer.
4. Self catering is normally cheaper than a hotel. Something not to be sniffed at!
5. I love that feeling of staying in a home away from home. Having access to a proper kitchen certainly makes things easier when on a family holiday.
This post is part of Delicious Baby‘s Photo Friday. Please share your thoughts in the comments box below, I’d love to hear from you.
You may also be interested in my post Finding Family Friendly Accommodation.
lovely photos, and enjoyed the story and the points on self catering too. Ardnamurchan is a fine part of the world, even thought the weather is often, well, unsettled!
Kerry recently posted: Road Trip Music – Texas
Unsettled, that’s a euphemism to say the least! It is a beautiful place though, I would go back in a minute.
Thanks for visiting my site and for your comments.
We also love to take care of our own meals. If we can, we always try to find a place with a kitchen. If not, we improvise with breakfast and lunch foods and eat dinners out. The second picture is adorable!
Jen @ Two Kids and a Map recently posted: Cross on the Beach – Pensacola Beach- Florida
Thanks for commenting Jen. We’ve done a bit of improvising too – I remember the first time we stayed in a hotel the only ‘utensils’ were a kettle and teacups. Euan’s lunch was mashed banana (mashed with a teaspoon) served on a saucer!
I’ve never heard of self catering! definitely nothing to sniff at, it sounds like it’s got all the benefits and so much more of a great place to stay while traveling!
alyonka recently posted: 13 Things About My Real Life
Thanks for your comment Alyonka. This place was great and I’d highly recommend self catering if you’re travelling with a family. Unfortunately it means you don’t get a holiday from doing the dishes though!!
We rarely stay in hotels these days due in large part to meal times. We either rent cabins or condos, or make sure to find a hotel with at least a kitchen sink, microwave & small fridge. It makes it so much easier with little ones.
Debi recently posted: North to Alaska! Wintertime Family Fun in the 49th State
Absolutely Debi. There’s so much more to think about when on holiday with your family. We’ve done without a kitchen when travelling but it certainly makes things easier.
i love this – we always choose to rent, too – especially with a family, there’s nothing like your own space (and yard)…
wandering educators recently posted: Living on Loch Ness
Too true – if only we’d got to enjoy the outdoor space on this trip… next time!
I love to have kitchen when we travel. Save so much time and money. But total media blackout? That I still have to convince my husband. No wi-fi for him is like a no, no..
Amy @ The Q Family recently posted: Chiang Mai with Kids- The Road Trip to Chiang Mai & Odd Things You Will See
Hehehe! We didn’t actually know about that until we arrived! It was a blessing in disguise though because it really forced us to relax.
That photo of you two in front of the window is just gorgeous!
Camels & Chocolate recently posted: A Room with a View
Aaahhh, thanks Kristin! I do love that one. Fun times!
I love self catering myself. As a vegetarian, it gives me a lot more flexibility AND, you’re right, you can save a lot of money!
Wanderluster recently posted: Dancers in Assam- India – Photo of the Day
You’re right, there often isn’t a huge amount of choice for vegetarians when you go out to eat. Self catering is great as long as you like to cook (or be cooked for, my husband did most of the cooking on our trip
)
Pingback: Travel Blogger Tuesday – Love Baby Love Travel | Two Kids and a Map
the best part of self catering is you can have meals at any time and however much you want. you get a lot of flexibility when you self cater
Too true! We love suiting ourselves about when we eat and how much (usually too much!)
I agree, self catering is so flexible when travelling with children and you don’t have to worry about upsetting any other guests if the children are running around or the babay’s crying.
Heather on her travels recently posted: The Eiffel Tower – Icon of Paris or tourist trap
Absolutely! You can relax and enjoy your holiday worry free. Thanks for visiting my site, Heather.
Great! Interesting post! That was truly a good idea when you brought kids while traveling because it’s more efficient. It’s also a great way to enjoy the food you love and also enjoying your holiday. You can totally enjoy your freedom with self catering.
Pingback: Stuff from other blogs. | No Beaten Path
Hi Anna – I stumbled across your blog through a google image search. I’m so glad I got to stop by though. I snagged one of your darling pictures to use on my blog (it’s a blog that discusses productive and developmental play techniques for moms & kiddos) of course I’ve used a back link to lovebabylovetravel.com – stop on over and see it, and of course, let me know if you would rather I take it down! Thanks. I’ll be checking back on your blog in the future.
Million Ways Mama recently posted: Monday – Creative Arts
Hi, thanks so much for stopping by the blog, I’m glad you like it and that the photo came in handy. You may like to look at some more of my husband’s photos on his website http://www.arranmoffat.co.uk.
All the best,
Anna