After a three-hour delay leaving Guernsey, we finally made it to Manchester and checked into the Premier Inn before heading to the Trafford Centre. Tilly discovered a Japanese shop full of capybaras — so of course one came home with us. Over dinner, we told the kids the big secret: we were going to Turkey! I handed out a letter and boarding passes, and Tilly read them out loud, eyes wide and glowing.
The next morning, we treated ourselves to the Aspire Lounge before our flight — endless food, a cheeky gin and tonic for me, and that rare pre-holiday calm where everything feels suspended. The flight was smooth, with actual legroom for once, and when we landed around 9 p.m. I grinned at the sight of menthols everywhere. Everyone smokes in Turkey — there’s an ashtray every few steps. Heaven.
Then we reached the hotel, and it was divine. Spacious, welcoming, alive with music and warmth. A 24-hour restaurant meant we could feed the kids straight away before collapsing into bed, ready for the week ahead.
The next morning, Sarah and Thomas headed to breakfast while Tilly and I slipped away for an early swim under the rising sun. Afterwards, we met our Love Holidays rep, booked a Turkish bath for the next day, and Land of Legends for Halloween Friday.
From that point on, the days just melted together — sunshine, swimming, cocktails, laughter, and total freedom. We made full use of the all-inclusive: ice cream on tap, drinks in hand, no dishes, no routine, no rush. Tilly adored every second — racing down slides, dancing in the pool, laughing so hard she could barely catch her breath. Watching her that happy felt like medicine.
The Turkish bath was pure bliss: salt relaxation, sauna, steam, a deep hammam scrub, fish foot soak, and massage — followed by a mud bath that had us all giggling. I floated out feeling brand new, skin soft, heart full. Later, while Sarah and Thomas went parasailing, Tilly and I spent the afternoon swimming and wandering between pools, our hair smelling faintly of salt and jasmine.
We fell in love with the Turkish markets, too — the colours, the chaos, the sound of traders calling out beneath strings of lights. I even managed to haggle (badly, but proudly) so Tilly could have her very own “designer” bag. She was absolutely beaming, clutching it like treasure.
Halloween Friday took us to Land of Legends — expensive, yes, but worth every lira. The kids loved the rides and the water park, while I soaked up the atmosphere with a Long Island in hand, just watching them be kids. That night we strolled the markets one last time for Turkish delight and souvenirs, then back to the hotel for the disco. The kids danced until they dropped, Sarah and I shared a shisha, and for a moment everything was soft, golden, and right.
The night ended on a slightly sour note when Thomas came down ill, which did dampen things a little. I’ll never forget running barefoot through the glass-walled corridor at 3 a.m. for extra toilet roll, laughing nervously and jumping at my own reflection like some tragic heroine in a horror film.
Our final morning came too soon — breakfast, packing, a two-hour coach ride, and an airport delay. The flight home was crowded but filled with sleepy smiles and sunburnt skin.
Back in Manchester for the night, then finally home to Guernsey — and there they were: Joel and little Luca waiting, along with Mum and Alan. Luca ran straight into my arms and I could have cried. I’d missed them more than I’d dared admit.
Every single day in Turkey, I’d find myself imagining Joel beside me, watching both kids playing together in the pool, the four of us tangled up in sunshine and laughter. It was wonderful to be away — but my god, I missed the boys.
This trip was everything I hoped for and more: a first taste of adventure for my girl, a week of laughter and light, and a promise of what’s to come. Our first, but definitely not our last, bucket-and-spade holiday.
The sun was beautiful, but it had nothing on coming home to him. ☀️