Our Funniest Travel Mishap (and What We Learned): Cornwall 2023 Edition 🌧️⛺

When you’re a family of budget-friendly adventurers, you expect a few hiccups along the way — but nothing quite prepared us for our Cornwall camping experience in 2023. This trip turned out to be one of those wild adventures that we’ll be talking about for years. It wasn’t perfect, but the chaos made it unforgettable, and ultimately, it was a trip that taught us a lot about how to approach travel and what truly matters.

The Last-Minute Decision

The whole trip started two weeks before we were set to leave — talk about last-minute planning! With the summer holidays creeping up and no vacation plans in sight, I decided to go for it and plan something special for the family. We weren’t looking for luxury (not that we ever are), but I wanted to make the trip exciting. So I booked us a stay in a tipi in Cornwall, hoping it would be a fun way to give the kids a taste of camping. I had visions of cosy nights by the campfire and the kids loving the outdoor experience.

Sure, it was a budget-friendly choice, but that didn’t mean sacrificing comfort. It just meant making smart choices, right? I didn’t expect to get the full luxury resort experience, but a little comfort — even on a budget — is always key.

In hindsight, though, this was one of those moments where I learned that sometimes the best-laid plans don’t always work out, no matter how carefully you try to plan. And maybe sometimes, the most chaotic trips are the most memorable ones!

The Packing Panic

So, there I was, planning the trip for the family, excited about a getaway. But, in the rush to organise everything at the last minute, I completely forgot one very important item: sleeping bags. I know, I know — how could I forget that? But in the chaos of organising a family holiday on short notice, it just slipped my mind. The duvets (or covers) were fine, but without sleeping bags, we were in trouble. Who knew that would end up being one of the smallest problems we’d face?

It wasn’t until two days before departure that the weather forecast changed, and I saw that a thunderstorm was rolling in. In fact, up until then, the weather looked perfect, and we were all geared up for sunny days by the beach. That’s when I realised my outdoor activities, including a fun coastal walk, were going to be rained out, but I still didn’t expect a full-blown thunderstorm. I figured we could weather a bit of rain. I didn’t think a massive storm would hit right when we got there.

Arriving in the Dark… and the Cold

We arrived late in Cornwall — around midnight — tired but eager for the adventure. We weren’t exactly prepared for what we were about to walk into. The moment we entered the tipi, it hit us — the cold. And when I say cold, I mean it was freezing. The tipi wasn’t exactly built for warmth, and with the storm approaching, the temperature inside was dropping fast. I immediately started panicking, imagining the kids catching a cold. They were shivering, and I was starting to worry about whether I’d made the right call booking this trip. It’s funny, really — how quickly those carefully laid-out plans can come undone.

As we settled in, I tried to make the best of it, but with no sleeping bags to help us stay warm, it was hard to stay comfortable. I was committed to this experience though — so was everyone else — but we were definitely struggling.

The Thunderstorm Strikes

And then the thunderstorm hit. It was as though Mother Nature decided to throw in everything she had. The thunder was loud enough to shake the tipi, the lightning lit up the entire structure, and the rain was pounding so hard it sounded like a drumroll. On top of that, bugs began to invade — midges, mosquitoes, and anything else that might have been drawn to the dim lights inside. There we were: all cramped into the tipi, trying to sleep while the storm raged outside, and bugs tried to make themselves at home.

I kept thinking to myself, This is not how I envisioned this. The kids were wide-eyed, afraid, and definitely not in the mood to embrace the outdoors like I had hoped. I was starting to get a little nervous myself. And let’s not forget about the cold — it wasn’t just a little chilly; it was bone-chilling, damp, and uncomfortable.

The Great Escape to the SUV

By 3 AM, I had had enough. We were all awake and miserable. I could feel myself spiralling into frustration, so I decided that we needed a change of scenery — away from the freezing, bug-infested tipi. I made the executive decision to move us all into the 7-seater SUV. Yes, the very same SUV we had driven in for the trip.

It wasn’t just a moment of giving up; it was about finding a way to make the best of a challenging situation. My husband, on the other hand, was laughing at me for picking this tipi in the first place. I mean, he had warned me about the unpredictable nature of camping, but I thought I could handle it. I also thought that the tipi would at least offer some kind of refuge. But here we were, piling into the car.

Now, imagine this: five people crammed into a 7-seater car, blankets and jackets strewn everywhere. The kids were giggling, even though it was uncomfortable. I kept thinking about how insane it was that our Cornwall holiday had turned into a sleepover in a car for the next three nights. And you know what? Despite the discomfort, there was something oddly funny and bonding about it. We made it work, and we all ended up laughing at how absurd it was.

What We Learned (and What We’ll Do Differently Next Time)

Looking back, we learned a ton from this trip. But mostly, we learned that the most memorable travel moments often come from the unexpected chaos, not the flawless trips we anticipate. So here’s what we’ve taken away:

1. Always check the weather forecast ahead of time 🌦️

   Sure, I checked it when I planned the trip, but the weather changed two days before our departure. We never thought about a thunderstorm, and that was a rookie mistake. Always check for more details, especially the day before you leave.

2. Pack extra sleeping bags, no matter what 🛏️

   Even if you think you won’t need them. You might be fine with just duvets, but when you’re camping in a tipi in the middle of a storm, you’ll appreciate the extra warmth. I learned this the hard way.

3. Travel isn’t about perfection ✨

   Sometimes the best trips are the ones that go completely wrong. We made the best of it, and in the end, we have a funny story to tell. And honestly, that’s what travel is all about: experiencing something new and making memories — even if they’re a little messy.

4. Comfort doesn’t have to be sacrificed on a budget 💡

   This is the message I’m taking away: Budget-friendly holidays don’t mean losing comfort. It means making smart choices. For example, next time, maybe we’ll book a cabin with heating, or at least a tent with proper insulation.

5. Sometimes, comfort is about mindset, not just amenities ❤️

   The first night in the car was uncomfortable. But we were together, and that made all the difference. Sometimes, it’s less about the perfect bed and more about finding joy in the little things — even if that means sleeping in a cramped car for three nights.

Would We Do It Again?

Would we go camping in a tipi again? Honestly, probably not — not without a proper backup plan. But would I do a budget-friendly holiday again? Absolutely. Next time, though, I’ll be a little more prepared! And maybe, just maybe, we’ll look for a nice cabin to make sure we get both comfort and adventure.

In the end, this trip proved that it’s not about the perfect vacation or the ideal accommodation; it’s about the memories you make along the way. And no matter how crazy things got, the kids still talk about that camping trip in Cornwall — and yes, we laugh about it together every time we do.

So here’s to embracing the chaos, learning from the bumps in the road, and finding joy in the unexpected. That’s what makes the journey worth it. 🌧️🚗