{"id":1861,"date":"2026-08-03T18:33:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:33:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1861"},"modified":"2026-08-03T18:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T17:33:33","slug":"seven-awesome-sunrises-sunsets-and-one-very-happy-neurodivergent-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.awesomearchie.co.uk\/?p=1861","title":{"rendered":"Seven Awesome Sunrises, Sunsets and One Very Happy Neurodivergent Family!!!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There’s something quite awsome about switching off from the everyday and stepping onto a ship where, for a whole week, your biggest decision is whether to grab another coffee, eat yet another ice cream or head out onto your balcony to watch the sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s exactly what we did as we set sail on P&O’s Arvia for a week of much needed family time, visiting Bilbao, La Coru\u00f1a, Vigo and Cherbourg. After months of hard work, super long hours, school, appointments, content creation and the general chaos that comes with family life, it was exactly what we needed. We were all more than ready!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As parents, life often feels like we’re running in different directions. Between work commitments, family\/ caring responsibilities and everything else that fills the calendar, quality time can sometimes become something you have to schedule rather than something that just happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week gave us that awesome time back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven Sunrises. Seven Sunsets.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of my favourite parts of the cruise was something that didn’t cost a penny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every morning we’d wake up to a completely different view. Some mornings we’d head out onto the balcony in our PJs, coffee in hand, watching the sun slowly climb above the horizon. Other mornings we’d catch glimpses of sleepy fishing boats or distant coastlines appearing through the morning mist. Then, every evening, we’d do it all again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven sunsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each Sunset and sunrise is completely different from the last. Some painted the sky orange and pink. Others disappeared behind “toy story”clouds, turning the whole ocean into shimmering gold. It’s funny how something so simple can make you slow down and take a breath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At home, sunsets happen while we’re cooking dinner, answering emails or reminding someone to brush their teeth. On board, we actually stopped to watch them. Every single one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We are that gaming family!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Arvia has incredible entertainment, fantastic shows and loads to do but truthfully, some of our favourite memories happened around a table in the Atrium with a pack of cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spent hours playing card games together, no phones,no rushing for the next meeting, no distractions. Just laughing, being ridiculously competitive, making up silly rules halfway through and just enjoying each other’s company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As parents, those uninterrupted hours together are priceless because we so rarely have them. My Husband works a 40 hour week minimum and I am caring for Arch, being a proud mum to our four kids, running a home all whilst trying to carve out my own career. Its BUSY! And when life is busy, it’s easy to be physically present but mentally somewhere else. This week gave us permission to just be together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And honestly, I think we all needed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Seeing Europe One Port at a Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the joys of cruising is waking up somewhere new every couple of days with zero effort!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our first stop was Bilbao, a city that blends beautiful modern architecture with traditional Spanish charm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came La Coru\u00f1a, where the relaxed pace made it easy to simply enjoy exploring together. We didn’t feel pressured to tick off every attraction\u2014we just enjoyed being there together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vigo brought another chance to stretch our legs and enjoy plenty of sunshine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, we arrived in Cherbourg, France, with its lovely waterfront, EPIC submarine tour and slower pace offering the perfect end to our itinerary before heading back home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things we love about cruising is that every destination gives you a little taste of somewhere new without the stress of constantly packing and unpacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n