Holiday Phobia

Oh EllanVannin! There you are you have just reinforced my belief about being abroad and something happens! Glad they were able to sort you out.

Dragonfly

I know what you mean, I am happy at home, it’s not perfect, but it suits us very well, and we’re an easy drive from lots of lovely places.

I dislike hotels because
A, I’m a bit weird about who slept in the bed/sat on the loo, before me

B, they can never make a decent cup of tea

C, I miss my own shower

D, there are never enough coat hangers

E, they’re incredibly expensive just for the privilege of sleeping in a strange bed, and having your breakfast cooked

Okay, so I know I’m a miserable cow!

I have the opposite problem, I absolutely love going on holiday but start to get upset and anxious when I have to come home!
A few days or a week away doesn't cut it for me, I want at least a month or its not worth the effort. OH is always trying to get me away on mini-breaks but I don't see the point of that at all.

In view of my early morning blip today ( as in the good morning thread ) I certainly won't be going anywhere !! As it seems/looks like it's brought on by stress.

Our best holidays were camping in France with the DC. I have never been an adventurer and I suppose we went away because it is expected in retirement.
Recently, as I have been diagnosed with cancer, we have not been able to go away so we are spending the money on making our home more comfortable. I have always wondered why people exchange their comfortable home for a cold hotel room or cottage when there is so much to see within an hours drive from home.

As someone who travels a lot I can honestly say it is not what it used to be - especially the ''favourite airline'' - and I don't mean the strike!

I have never travelled much, however there are places I would really like to see, such as Paris, but do not like going on my own. I'm sure there are other widows here who don't like to travel on their own. I have tried it but found the evenings awful.

When we were younger and in work we planned to travel the world once retired. Now that we are and could do it, I just can't get enthusiastic about it. In fact it's added stress. And yet in my last botched holiday there were people way older than us, one couple must have been in their 90's and had walking difficulties and yet they were there sight seeing with the rest of us! This makes me feel embarrassed!

Sara65, a colleague had a countdown 'clock' of days until her next break. She too, did all inclusive in the most artificial, boring resorts - and spent her days reading by the pool. I'd ask her what she'd seen, where she went - but no, she stayed in the resort or hotel!

What's really sad is that my friend goes because it's expected and 'What you do' in retirement! She always longs to come home and doesn't enjoy herself.

The way I see it is holidays used to be a break - away from school, study or work. Now I'm on permanent 'holiday' why bother?

Willow

I work with someone who seems to live from holiday to holiday, they go several times a year, to different destinations, but always to all inclusive resorts, they could be anywhere!

Sounds like my kind of hell!

I loved holidays when I was young (although I've always been very claustrophobic and travel sick). I went sometimes as an adult (for the kids' sake really) and spent the first day 'recovering' but now they'd just be an ordeal. I find any journey painful (back injury) so what used to be a pleasure is now more of a challenge. I have no great wish to go anywhere lately!

I've never had any interest in going on holiday although in the past we have gone away both home and abroad. The last time was 4 years ago when we went to NZ to see family. It will be our Golden Wedding in 18 months and my husband is planning for us to go back but I can't get enthusiastic about it at all although I haven't told him that. We have some friends who go on holiday several times a year - no sooner have they come back than they're booking another. I just find it all very boring

My neighbour has told me that she is taking herself off to the outer Hebrides for a couple of weeks but she doesn't really want to go. I think she feels under pressure to go back every year because she and her deceased DH used to do it every year.

Ellan

That makes me feel a whole lot better, our friends and family still manage to have a laugh at our expense every Christmas

In a way, it's a relief to realise that we're not alone in being/feeling " odd " while everyone else is scurrying off somewhere. It's become like a safety thing being at home in familiar surrounds. Though after never having been like this it's become a bit of a mystery too.

I remember flying back from Oz on " their Christmas Eve " 12hrs ahead. I was due to stay over Christmas having been there since September, but I couldn't hack it----Christmas away from home. I arrived in the UK on the morning of Christmas Eve here amid snow and frost and it was magic.

I did manage Christmas in Oz one year just to prove to myself that I could make it. I even cooked the dinner in 40 degree temperatures as well.

We once went away for Christmas, and drove back home on Christmas Eve, just didn’t feel right!

I can see this phobia is quite common in our age group, even if we don't worry too much about actual risks like terrorism. I don't because at my age it wouldn't really matter too much. But it's just a weird feeling that you rather be home. I do love all the planning and looking through brochures too, but as soon as I book I start having doubts and second thoughts. I don't know why I've never been like this, perhaps subconsciously we know it could be quite feasible that one or the other could be taken ill while abroad...

That's scary, Ellanvannin. My cousin is a doctor in New Zealand and has had to deal with heart attacks and pregnancy complications during several flights across the globe. Some airlines are really good and give him first class seats and food after he has dealt with the emergency! Others barely a thank you.
His wife keeps telling him not to respond to the announcement, " is there a doctor onboard?"

I'll tell you a story now---very true and it happened at the beginning of July this year when after nearly a month visiting the UK my D and SiL left Manch.airport on Emirates for the first leg of their journey home to Oz.
Taxiing along the runway a young girl who was with her father started to scream. Nobody could pacify her and the stewardesses did all they could but the teenager wanted to get off. The flight was heading to Dubai.

The plane turned around and went back to its apron and the girl and her father disembarked to which the flight had lost its slot for take-off as luggage had to be removed. The poor girl had had a full-blown panic attack.

A couple of hours later, the flight took off and landed in Dubai some 7/1/2 hours later----all good, but late.

Once boarded and loaded at Dubai----a similar thing happened again and this time it was a Muslim woman who was " ill " , had refused any medication/assistance and couldn't make herself understood until someone on the flight spoke in her language.

My D and SiL were only two seats behind and were quite concerned when the woman was shouting in Arabic. Next thing security boarded the plane and a doctor and she was taken off the flight, more delays as the hold of the aircraft was " searched " and her luggage was removed, but police were involved as well. The whole of the plane was searched while everyone remained seated and when security etc were satisfied that there was nothing untoward the plane finally took off for the last leg of its journey.

Hours late arriving in Sydney all passengers on the flight were compensated . My family were glad it was over and thankful they'd arrived in one piece albeit later than anticipated.

When my D rang me and told me all about this I was more anxious than ever. I think I'd have got off at Dubai and got the next plane back to Manchester. I couldn't have carried on with interruptions like that.


My fami

I enjoy looking through brochures etc. and planning a holiday when it’s ages away. When it comes to actually booking it I get cold feet and put off doing it until DH nags me to get on with it before said holiday has disappeared.

I also put off packing, cannot understand people who are so excited they have their cases packed a week before.

All in all, I honestly feel that since I retired I really wouldn’t care if we never went away. When still working it was something to look forward to.

I do enjoy hols (mostly) when actually away, but never mind coming home.

Thats exactly what my DH says about me GrannySomerset!
I smile more the closer we get to the airport to come home.
I very rarely get excited about going on holiday either, although I do enjoy seeing other places once I'm there.

GrannySomerset

Im the same, my husband always asks if I’m getting excited as a holiday approaches, and I say I’ll start getting excited on the way home!

DH no longer well enough to travel so have given up airports with great relief. Like many of you, we have enjoyed seeing many wonderful places in the past, but staying put is so much simpler these days. Mind you, DH always said I was the only person he knew who got more and more cheerful as the holiday progressed (and going home came into sight)!