Fabulous read !
I have an 8 year old girl myself and a 5 year old boy so its a real joy to read about how everybody feels about the trip and copes with the difficulties.
I'm always dragging mine outdoors under protest but what they always talk about is the things you discover along the way, like a swing in a tree. The best find we had was an actual steaming pile of manure - you just can't plan that kind of entertainment.
That trip is one hell of a tale to tell in the playground.
I am halfway through so I hope the rest of the trip went well. Don't spoil the cliff hanger for me though.