Garmin Nuvi and the Full Tank Feature

Feeding kids at home can be hard, but feeding kids while traveling can be a nightmare. I know this first hand because I have three kids, ages 14, 11, and 6. We have traveled far and wide with our squabbling brood, and I can now declare with confidence that my Garmin Nuvi 265 WT plays an important role in our quest for local budget friendly road food.

Last February, we visited England for two weeks. The prices on British Airways nonstop flights from Seattle to Heathrow were outrageously low, and we decided it was time for the kids to meet my husband's extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Even though the airfares were cheap, I knew I had to keep a budget. Before we left, I  reserved a two bedroom, two bath apartment for five nights at the Dolphin House in London and booked a "people mover" with 1Car1 for our stay at Auntie's house in Oxfordshire.

Once I locked in those prices, I calculated what was left...not much!! So, I created a food strategy. I told the kids we'd be eating lean in England and that they would be picnicking or humping their own lunches and water bottles in backpacks. 

I also purchased a Garmin Nuvi 265 WT and loaded it with Garmin's Plug and Play UK and Ireland maps, purchased separately while I was still in the States.  Of course,  I knew my Garmin would be helpful while  traveling to Stonehenge, Blenheim Palace, and Salisbury Cathedral. I also sensed it would be crucial for nighttime navigation to the village pub or when tummies grumbled during the day. Indeed, my plan worked brilliantly!

Regarding food, we relied on our Garmin in two main ways. Before leaving Auntie's house, we'd plan ahead and plug in the address of the pub or the family's favorite local farm shop called Millets. While on the road, if we needed food fast and spontaneously,  we'd hit the "shopping" feature in the points of interest section. From there,  it was easy to find the nearest location of my favorite UK grocery store, Waitrose.

At Waitrose, we'd stock up on McVittie's digestive biscuits, yogurt, fresh fruits, and veggies for a quick and healthy snack. We'd also replenish the water bottles and choose some of the store's top quality readymade meals and soups for easy inexpensive dinners back at Auntie's. 

At Millet's,  a fabulous farm shop near Abingdon, we bought some gorgeous game pies and bangers made from local meats. My English mother in law commandeered Auntie's AGA and turned the bangers into a traditional Toad in the Hole.  The savory game pies made a simple supper when served with a salad, sharp cheddar cheese, grainy mustard, and a glass of wine.

So, as a mother of three, I can attest to the fact that the Garmin Nuvi 265 WT makes it easy to fill more tank than one!  And, yes, I stayed on budget!

--Melissa A. Trainer