Desperate for a holiday

Blondiescot

Annie1962 - "I'm not actually going to come anywhere near people". Have you invented teleportation or do you have your own private jet? If not, then how are you going to avoid being cooped up on a plane with a few hundred other people for at least a few hours at best?

She might be driving to Spain, lots of us do.

Maybe you could compromise on both holidaying here and abroad? Have you thought about a cruise from Southampton around the UK or I know in September there’s one going around the french coast with no stop offs.

Nanna58

Nannan2 I was desperately ill Xmas 19 , carted off to hospital in an ambulance unable to breathe and took months to recover . Also told that it was too early to have been Covid but I’m sure it was. Hope you feel better soon ?

Same here but did not go to hospital. Still have no smell or taste
Somebody tell me what that was. I wasn’t alone in having those symptoms. I even know who I got if from. I visited a friend who was very poorly and within hours I was.

MerylStreep

Blondiescot

Annie1962 - "I'm not actually going to come anywhere near people". Have you invented teleportation or do you have your own private jet? If not, then how are you going to avoid being cooped up on a plane with a few hundred other people for at least a few hours at best?

She might be driving to Spain, lots of us do.

Well she mentioned the airport, which made me think a flight might be involved...

Covid versus holidays versus what might be around the next corner Last September I was fortunate to be able to visit a small Greek island (which to this day has had no Covid infections and, as with many isolated small Greek islands, ALL residents were vaccinated earlier this year). All passengers at the airport, on the plane, on the inter island boats, in the small local shops and tavernas and the Greeks themselves were social distancing and following the rules to the letter and it was in all honesty one of the most relaxing holidays I have had. This year I have been diagnosed with (another) cancer, having to shield whilst undergoing treatment and that holiday may have been my last. There is no certainty that we or our loved ones will still be here when Covid is not - an accident, a terminal diagnosis, becoming a carer for a loved one or another personal disaster could take everything away tomorrow. Yes take all possible Covid precautions but please have fun, have adventures and continue to stay safe - you don't know what is around the next corner.

kittylester

I have never understood the concept of being 'desperate' for a holiday.

No, me neither! I'm certainly not 'desperate' to put myself and others at risk!

It’s sad that no-one has commented on the plights of Saggi, who is probably completely exhausted, not in the best financial position due to being a carer, and far more in need of a holiday than anyone on here, or jaylucy who wishes she could just afford a day trip to the seaside. Well ladies, I feel for both of you and hope that you can both get a break soon. I haven’t taken a holiday for at least 15 years because we look after rescue dogs and putting them in kennels so we could go off and have a good time would put them through the worry of being rejected and dumped all over again. So we don’t do that and it’s entirely our choice. I don’t envy others their holidays because I could easily have one if I chose to, but as I’ve already said I certainly wouldn’t be going abroad at present. However can we please recognise, whilst banging on about our own plans and how ‘desperate’ we are to get away, give a thought to these ladies and the many others like them? Talking about holiday plans after reading - and choosing not to respond to - those posts is pretty crass.

I love holidays too and we just got back from Menorca a week or so ago. Yes there was more messing about with the various forms and testing requirements but it was fine. We felt very safe everywhere. Stayed in an apartment but went out for dinner every night. The Spanish people were so pleased to see us, a lot less people than you’d normally see, plane half empty. Some highlights were: being able to step off the terrace at 7.30 in the morning straight into an empty swimming pool to do some lengths, sitting in a cafe having a cafe con leche and a slice of hazelnut cake, eating paella outside in the evening and having a very strong g&t before dinner. It was all brilliant so if you want to go I say go.

Sophrosyne

_Covid versus holidays versus what might be around the next corner_ Last September I was fortunate to be able to visit a small Greek island (which to this day has had no Covid infections and, as with many isolated small Greek islands, ALL residents were vaccinated earlier this year). All passengers at the airport, on the plane, on the inter island boats, in the small local shops and tavernas and the Greeks themselves were social distancing and following the rules to the letter and it was in all honesty one of the most relaxing holidays I have had. This year I have been diagnosed with (another) cancer, having to shield whilst undergoing treatment and that holiday may have been my last. There is no certainty that we or our loved ones will still be here when Covid is not - an accident, a terminal diagnosis, becoming a carer for a loved one or another personal disaster could take everything away tomorrow. Yes take all possible Covid precautions but please have fun, have adventures and continue to stay safe - you don't know what is around the next corner.

I’ve only ever been to Corfu, was beautiful! A young friend and her family are in Greece atm,
so sorry for you in your diagnosis, speedy recovery!
When, and if we go we will obviously be taking precautions, as we always do! But my take on it is, we cannot stay in this situation forever, we definitely need to get going again! I know ppl have died from covid, but nothing we do can ever bring them back, the hospitalisation rate is down the NHS have huge waiting lists! I referred to covid as ‘covid flu’ and I realise now, I shouldn’t have, but we/I could catch it anywhere near home, the supermarket for example, or even waiting in a queue to get tested!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, including myself, I/we are allowed to go to Spain, as long as we follow the rules, it’s fine! In England you don’t have to wear face masks, so that’s a risk, but we can’t control what ppl do.
Sending healing thoughts for you, my sil was diagnosed last year, so I know how awful and horribly cruel it is to receive the news, she’s on the road to recovery now! Hopefully you will be soon, take care, relax.

Sardinia2020

I love holidays too and we just got back from Menorca a week or so ago. Yes there was more messing about with the various forms and testing requirements but it was fine. We felt very safe everywhere. Stayed in an apartment but went out for dinner every night. The Spanish people were so pleased to see us, a lot less people than you’d normally see, plane half empty. Some highlights were: being able to step off the terrace at 7.30 in the morning straight into an empty swimming pool to do some lengths, sitting in a cafe having a cafe con leche and a slice of hazelnut cake, eating paella outside in the evening and having a very strong g&t before dinner. It was all brilliant so if you want to go I say go.

Sounds fab! I know it’s very quiet over in Majorca ATM, my DD was there last week, she said streets/beaches empty, I think she had about 4 tests in all, all negative. Very appealing knowing there are not many on holiday, pool, sea, food and G&T’s, wow anyway we’ll decide last min, wait for the review from Boris!

I’d like to say to Gabrielle 56 that she has mastered the art of sweeping generalisation. I have been fortunate enough to go on many foreign holidays in recent years. I usually have one glass of wine per day while away. The scenes she describes are unfamiliar to me in every respect. When at home I see my family regularly and keep my house and garden in immaculate condition. I have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about.

I wondered how long before we had a thread about people desperate for a holiday. I can understand people with stressful jobs needing a holiday but I'm retired I'm on holiday every day! Also I'm old enough to remember when Brits were welcome everywhere we went. The first time I went to Spain I was seventeen, it was 1966 and my sis and I watched the football world cup final in a little bar. Because Spain was out when everyone heard our voices everyone supported England. When we won it was drinks and food 'on the house' for everyone! I travelled a lot when I was young, with friends and it wasn't unusual in Spain or Italy or provincial France to be invited into the locals' houses to eat when they heard our accents. Now Brit tourists are a blight on a lot of the lands we visit.

No
You have not got to go abroad to have a holiday,you can holiday in this country.

Many many people are holidaying in the UK just try getting a booking at a something like reasonable price

By the time you factor in airport parking/transport to and from airport and covid tests, are UK holidays really so much more expensive? And you’d be supporting our economy and our hospitality and tourism industries rather than those of other countries.

I wouldn’t go,your putting yourself and too many people at risk.A friend of mine, a nurse caught Covid at the hospital last November,she is still ill with Long Covid it’s awful.
Could you trade houses with a friend somewhere in UK- just a thought,or maybe do day trips.When your working hard you just feel you need a change,it’s been a stressful 20 months for everyone so treat yourself kindly,retail therapy ?Good Luck all.

Covid has been with us for, at the earliest March 2020.UK?
Why complain about missing an over seas holiday when there are so many choices available sea /countryside without setting foot out of the UK.
My parents, UK born and bred,never saw the sea through out 39-45 with beaches being 'no go' and notices throughout the country saying 'Is your journey really necessary?.

Germanshepherdsmum

By the time you factor in airport parking/transport to and from airport and covid tests, are UK holidays really so much more expensive? And you’d be supporting our economy and our hospitality and tourism industries rather than those of other countries.

My daughter has just had her holiday abroad cancelled by the provider it was 10 days all inclusive for them and their small child. Spent the weekend looking for an alternative many caravan sites £1000 to £1500.
We finally found a reasonable alternative by going through owners direct

The holiday abroad was just under 2k

Lucca

Gabrielle. “ Every image shows people standing around in sea/beach/bars/greasy pavement cafés in blazing cancer Inducing sun, or getting blasted in tacky filthy unsafe venues!! Really? Or sitting in a villa garden again boozed up to the gunnels!”

I do none of those things.

And neither do I. You are out of order and possibly a bit hysterical too, maybe you need a holiday? For your info, I love my holidays, will have as many as I can afford when we are able to

What is it about holidays abroad that make people so irritable. I dont say why are you going to the pub, you could drink in the house, why are you going to a restaurant you can eat a meal at home. I want to go abroad to see different cultures, different landscapes etc etc, it's ridiculous to be cross that some people want to do that.

Sophrosyne, so sorry to read of your diagnosis and hope your treatment goes well. Your comments are very accurate and true, and I think one or two on here need to wind their necks in with their condemnation of anyone who wants more than a UK based holiday and their sweeping generalisations of those of us who do go overseas. I hope you are soon able to travel again.

Galaxy

For me, it is the method of transportation

Going abroad increases the chances you go by plane and need to get a cab.

If it is in your own country, it is more doable to go using your own car and reduces the amount of people you are in contact with

Being retired every day is a holiday really. But I have never in my adult life had the sort of holiday that Gabrielle56 describes.
For many years when I was working my holidays were backpacking for several weeks around SE Asian countries, staying in $10 and less huts and fairly rundown accommodation. I travelled by Indian busses and trains. Trucks and sitting on the top of busses in Nepal. I escaped a bus crash and spent an uncomfortable night in a train luggage rack. Took night busses and trains through Thailand and India to avoid having to pay for overnight accommodation. Holidays don’t have to be being boozed up events and roasting in the sun. I can’t think of anything worse. Even when we are at our apartment I spend days hiking in the volcanos and around the coast. The last thing in my mind is sunbathing and boozing.
My next holiday when I can go will be riding and camping with the cowboys in Argentina whilst my wife samples the delights of vineyards. We have worked all our adult lives for these experiences and I don’t intend to give them up.

Going abroad increases the chances you go by plane and need to get a cab

No necessarily. We plan on taking our own car to France and will stay in campsites, when we are able to do so. Funnily enough, despite what you read on here, we can do this without either getting disgustingly drunk, showing up the entire United Kingdom and I even clean the house before I leave in case the neighbours think I am all fur coat and no drawers