Don't really feel like going on holiday.....

Well, we are back and it was just as bad as I thought it would be. I am knackered and we have to go away this weekend, so as fast as clothes are being packed away others are being put in their place and I am so tired. My only consolation is that OH is also shattered, but I know that the next time he decides to go away for three weeks (far too long IMO) he will have forgotten how tired he was and will plan four cultural visits a day all over again.

I worked out a few years ago that I have to treat term times as my holiday. That is what keeps me sane.

Oh Janerowena how I empathise. Having an over-active partner makes holidays become endurance tests. So much so that I now avoid them - too much effort involved getting ready, coping with non-stop activities and then sorting out post-holiday stuff. Mr Gaga can't just "be" - he has to be "doing" and he wants me to be with him "doing". Exhausting just thinking about it.

We are taking the DGC s away to the Lakes. We were looking at reasonable walks for them. I said that I really enjoy Tarn Haws . In GM speak it has toilets picnic area and plenty of sitting and looking places as well as orchids etc. DH said but I've been there twice before with them..... How do I explain that it is not for him as we can nip off to the Lakes any old time but tactfully?

Mine is just the same, they are quite self-centred, aren't they? I don't think they ever have the chance to get used to being self-sacrificing and they behave like spoilt kids sometimes. Not all of them of course, but a pretty hefty proportion. I have just got back from a few more hectic days away, was asked where I wished to go for a change and answered 'Waddesden Manor' but suddenly found myself in Windsor looking at the railway station there because he had seen it on Michael Portillo's railway journeys programe...

Re the grandchildren - go with your gut instincts. Mine are coming up next week and rarely get to the seaside. OH wants to take them to Bressingham because he thinks they will love the steam trains. He gets bored at the seaside, I hate steam engines, I think I shall let my daughter choose - or we could just go without him... I think a good long walk will wear yours out beautifully but a sitting and just looking place with other kids to see will stop them getting bored, and you know it works for them. Tell him that if they get whiney, he can deal with it, that should make him think.

Bressingham is one of my all time favourite places to visit. Our DGCs loved the train rides and the Galloper roundabout when they were small. The gardens are lovely and I always end up in the garden centre with a wish list.

We lived at Hoxne when our children were small so we've seen it grow and grow over the years.

Mishap I do sypathise with you, we used to go away only for either one night or two (usualy to Llandudno) and that in itself was a major task, and OH slept most of the time whilst I trotted round like Billy no mates..although it was nice to do that..,eventualy you do yean for a bit of company. we did buy a mobility scooter and that did help as he would try a bit harder....hope you can sort things out .

Janerowena I've only just caught up with this thread and can't help laughing at your description of your exhausting holidays - MrA is very similar to your DH and my memories of holidays when the children were small are of him champing at the bit, raring to go, while I was frantically getting the kids ready, packing the picnic, washing clothes etc. It became even worse after he went on a project management course because then instead of helping in even small ways, he saw his role as director of operations and I would be criticised for not following 'the critical path'.
It is my main problem in retirement that no sooner we have come back from one expedition he is busy planning the next.
However, this week will be very relaxing. He has gone sailing off the west coast of Scotland with 3 of his cronies and I have the house to myself

Oh dear! JaneA can I have your OH? I love stem trains and traction engines and beam engines and all things steam. My father and I always used to visit Birmingham science museum when they had a steam weekend and my late oh and myself loved taking journeys on steam trains.
If you get fed up with him, point him in my direction. ((Would he notice the difference between a Dr and a dentist do you think?)

Galen I'm sure he would like to meet you - he loves things like that!
Have you read this book www.amazon.com/Lunar-Men-Friends-Future-1730-1810/dp/0571216102 about the engineers and scientists based in Birmingham at the time of the Industrial Revolution?
We have visited Erasmus Darwin's house in Lichfield and also the Wedgwood Museum in Barlaston - it must have been such an exciting time to live.

For my 60th, my daughter bought me and my DH lunch on a steam train on the Severn Valley Railway. It was fantastic. We got the train at Bridgnorth and it travelled to Kidderminster. All the stations are done out in the old fashioned way with old fashioned ads and old suitcases on the platforms and the guards in the old styue uniforms. Lunch was served by smart waiters and waitresses. Lovely white linen tablecloths on the tables.
And you really do see elephants on your journey. (The train goes past West Midlands Safari Park elephant enclosure). Lovely day.

Sometimes I think we would do better to just donate the cost of a holiday to a worthwhile charity!