What is this obsession with holiday?

Oh no! I can remember the days when the M5 was a pleasure to use, hardly any traffic except on Bank holidays, particularly the Whitsun half term.

You could take a posh picnic out with you.

Callistemon in regard to your post @09:58 today, your suggestion of "day trips" around the west country is what we have decided to do. As you stated there is much to be said to returning to your own bed at night and others in the office this morning stated the same.

So, it will be Exmoor, Dartmoor, the Quantock Hills, along with the Cotswolds and a few days in the garden if the weather is OK.

The home and garden may be the right place this weekend as with everything opening up in Devon and Cornwall on Saturday the M5 motorway through Somerset is expected to be at a standstill for much of the weekend. That was something we had not thought about until it was pointed out to us this morning. ?

I have to agree with those that have said that wine you sometimes drink on holiday or night out that tastes so wonderfull can often taste disgusting when drank at home later. ?

Still ten days off now and both in De-Mob mode....Lovely.

trisher

Maybe you aren't consuming enough wine when listening Ellianne Mind I have found that what I thought was wonderful after a few glasses turned out to be completely c**p!

It's also a mistake to buy a case of 12 bottles of chateau bottled wine which seemed delicious when camping in the grounds of the chateau, quaffing it on on a balmy evening, only to find it is utter c**when you get it home.

Grandad sometimes it can be refreshing to have a holiday from home.
It is disappointing but you can go out for days to places you always meant to visit in lovely Somerset and Devon, but never got around to exploring, have a takeaway or gastro meal from a farm shop etc if the pubs aren't open for food and do not be tempted to do any housework, gardening or DIY!

We've done that before now and it's nice to come home to your own bed.

Kein Wein, Bier natürlich.

Maybe you aren't consuming enough wine when listening Ellianne Mind I have found that what I thought was wonderful after a few glasses turned out to be completely c**p!

Whitewavemark2, I one hundred percent agree with your above post. André Rieu music is soo appreciated by all age groups and the colour that those gowns bring to the stage when seen live is just wonderful.

Then you have that symphony that completely surrounds and encompasses you in a setting such as Maastricht.

Nothing else comes anywhere near it for us.

I can't describe what it is about the concerts, it's everything. The music, the frocks, the atmosphere, the laughter. You'd think it was pure Disney on tv, but it is far more refined in that Germanic way in real life.
There is music in Cornwall Grandad but it might be a bit folky!

Going off topic a bit, I think that what is so good about the Rieu concerts is the sheer fun and joy with people of all ages and nationalities coming together to enjoy some if the worlds finest music.

Dance and clap and sing along - joyous

Isn’t the music that is important maw?

Grandad1943

Ellianne, it is the gowns and dress suits we both love with André Rieu along with the most wonderful music.

We were very lucky in managing to get tickets to see a second concert in Maastricht on one of the tables outside the many cafes and bars that surround the square. What an experience that was with the music, the gowns and the wine flowing like water. ?

We all had hangovers like no other next morning. ?

Have to agree to differ Grandad - I like to see my orchestras properly attired.

Ellianne, it is the gowns and dress suits we both love with André Rieu along with the most wonderful music.

We were very lucky in managing to get tickets to see a second concert in Maastricht on one of the tables outside the many cafes and bars that surround the square. What an experience that was with the music, the gowns and the wine flowing like water. ?

We all had hangovers like no other next morning. ?

Ellianne

Ha ha MawB maybe you have to have Germanic roots like me to enjoy AR!

My Germanic roots seem more than adequate and I love music.
It’s the frocks I can’t stand!

Many thanks for the above suggestions, but undoubtedly part of our problem is the disappointment at not being able to see André Rieu in his Maastricht concert(s) and as Ellianne has stated they really are amazing especially when you see them in that wonderfull setting.

We went last year with a group of friends and tied those two concerts into touring the battlefield of world war one and two which made for at, at times, a very emotional but, without doubt as we all agreed, the most wonderfull holiday experience we had ever been on.

So, this year whatever we do now it is certainly going to be a "very big come down" from last years experience at this time.

My wife has just been looking at holiday cottage accommodation in Devon and Cornwall and certainly not looking great at the minute if you wish to have something "really nice".

Motorhome hire I have suggested, but that met with a look and no other response from the other half. ?

This will be the first time without late DH busy planning our road trip through France somewhere . He loved planning it all with road maps and coloured dots ! .We always stayed in gîtes or Abnb places out of the way and loved it .My DD AND SiL have just booked a gîte in Normandy and I am going too!! It will be lovely and I’m not a bit anxious . Using the tunnel , in a camper van so we can be self sufficient on the journey. We have been advised to bring our own pillows as the house ones will have to have plastic under covers ( Covid 19 rules)- Uggh . It is fairly basic, but a huge garden and 20 minutes from the coast ,and half the cost of a UK price .Really looking forward to it. DH died on December 31st and I have found the lockdown very hard .

Ha ha MawB maybe you have to have Germanic roots like me to enjoy AR!

That sounds like my sort of holiday Maw love that coast, any holiday by the sea would be welcome but nowhere hot for me.

Seriously though Lucca and I am not disagreeing with you per se but staycations have long been a necessity for many people and in this case, if Grandad is prepared to think outside the box and the funds are available, there are lots of ways of having a restful and enjoying few days off within striking distance of home.
If hotels are opening, a night in a luxury hotel following a Michelin-starred dinner is an option; a relaxing day along the Jurassic coast (again, featuring good food); fish and chips at Lyme Regis - I could go on. It’s a lovely part of the world and too often we rush abroad ignoring the charms of closer to home.

(Just personally, anything would be preferable for me than André Rieu his pastel meringue clad band - but that’s a question of musical taste)

Grandad I'm guessing most of the holiday cottages have been booked by guests who were already booked in May/June. Then of course you have all the families whose children aren't at school and they have probably taken the opportunity to go away in the UK.
Have you thought of hiring a motor home and being a free spirit? Many campsites are open and if you hire a motor home with a loo and shower you won't have to use the facilities.
PS. sorry to hear your missing the André Rieux concert. They are amazing.

Because a change is as good as a rest I guess ?

Grandad1943

Furret

Look again at holiday cottages if you really must go away. We’ve stayed in many ‘untatty’ ones. You get what you pay for.

We have stayed in holiday homes previously but all the better ones at this point in time are either booked up or still not taking bookings.

Grandad you live in beautiful Somerset - why would you even want to go anywhere else?

Stanley Johnson seems not bothered about being careful that is for sure.

One law for them etc.

grandad you must be looking at the wrong site, there are some lovely cottages out there with a good standard. If you have very high standards look at the luxury sites, there are plenty to choose from.

Just checked that out Grandad. Been on a Cottage website and found a lovely cottage in Cornwall for only £830 available to book from July 11th. And that was the first I looked at.

Perhaps look again?

Lucca

You could take a tour of local schools and see how they are coping......?

Now that could be some holiday. ???