So if you read part one you will know that our flights were cancelled so we needed new flights. New flights came with new flight times and a new plan to get to the airport. We needed to be at the airport for around 8am, luckily this meant the airport wasn't very busy and we flew through security and into the restaurant where we ordered breakfast. Charlie started to get angsty just 15 mins before we were due to board so he did exceptionally well. The flight was unproblematic until the last hour. My eldest had told Charlie that it was a 3hr flight, so once 3hrs was up and we didn't land, Charlie really struggled. He couldn't really understand why and would not listen to reason. It was difficult. When we landed tho, jet2 was fantastic! Absolutely incredible and I will be hoping to look to them for our next holiday as I felt really supported by them. An earlier flight means an earlier land and we managed to make our evening meal. Coincidently that was the only evening meal we had together.

The apartment was lovely, like a villa, very white and bright. We had our own kitchenette which saved my life. Normally on all inclusives the kitchen area is locked down but ours was up and available and we were able to use it. This was fantastic as Charlie struggled so much with eating there. We had a banana tree outside our door. A drying rack for all our swimming clothes, an outdoor eating space which was nice. My older 2 children shared a room and my Charlie was in with me. We went to explore the first night and even managed a quick dip in the pool before it got too late.

We went Sunday to Sunday. So Monday we spent the day by the pool. Charlie loved it. If he could of spent every day all day by the pool he would of done. But we wanted to see more of the island so I got to work booking some excursions. We went off the resort every day in the end and I was so grateful, because we made the best use of our time there.

Tuesday we went to the beach, wasn’t the best experience. The salt water rubbed into his sores, Charlie developed blisters from the flip flops. The sand irritated him and he had massive sensory overwhelm. My daughter said she would go back to the complex with him, but he struggled to walk with her. And was scared of the road and the traffic. So we had a very challenging time. All was well though when we were back in the pool at the hotel!!

Wednesday we took the ferry over to Fuertuventura. The ferry was fine, Charlie really enjoyed it and had fun experiencing it. We saw lots of fish in the harbour. But then his flip flops started hurting again and Charlie became very dysregulated. It resulted in some very scary behaviour and I struggled to maintain control. What's worse was we were on there for the whole day the ferry back wasn’t until 5.45pm. It was an extremely long day. It was pacified by lots of ice cream, that Charlie said was the best ice cream in the world. Which I guess to him it was! The ferry trip home was magical. We watched the sunset over the horizon and honestly it really was special. A memory we will all treasure.

On Thursday me and Charlie went on a submarine safari trip. This included going to another town in Lanzarote than where we were staying (Playa Blanca) we went to what's known as the millionaire's harbour. Looking at the yachts were spectacular. And Charlie loves boats as much as I do. The submarine trip was incredible. We dived 30 meters down, saw two shipwrecks, and literally hundreds of fish!! We had the best time and an experience I coukdn’t ever forget. We got a lovely photo me and Charlie. And a certificate to prove we were there. Memories we will keep forever. Charlie's siblings stayed on the complex for the day and I think we all benefitted from some space apart from each other.

Friday we had a private tour of the island with someone that was reccomended and had been living on the island 14 years. He took us to see some incredible sights, spoke to us about the culture and history. We were out for 5 hours but after 3 hours Charlie really started struggling. He did exceptionally well. My older two really wanted to see the green lagoon but Charlie had had enough, put he put those feelings aside and we managed to see the green lagoon after all. All in all it was a great day out.

On Saturday we went to the local waterpark. I think charlie spent 5 hrs just on the lazy river! He absolutely loved it. By far the best part of the waterpark for him. My eldest stayed on the complex he didn’t want to join us. And because Charlie was so happy in the lazy river myself and my daughter went on the slides. Which was awesome obviously. Charlie's not one for slides but he didn’t mind. Because it was our final night, we went out for a meal on the beach front. It was a lovely. Everyone had a good time, it was a lovely meal, beautiful setting and the perfect experience to end the holiday.

Sunday we flew home. And the flight was so much better. Charlie was more relaxed and managed it better than the flight there. So that was perfect. We were on an earlier flight home so we were home and settled by 9pm which was a bonus because everyone was back to reality tomorrow. The older kids back to college and Charlie back to tutor, I was back to work.

So I learnt a lot from this holiday. Seperate bedrooms, self catering is the way forward. Charlie's attention span is 3hrs for an activity. 4 hrs is the maximum on a plane. It will be 2024 when we next go abroad as we have a holiday booked to Disneyland in Paris. But until then we'll stick to UK breaks.

Hope you enjoyed the holiday blog.

Georgina x