What is this obsession with holiday?

DH is I am not (don't tell him my passport is about to expire)

No, I’m not kittylester and fortunately neither is DH who is often wittering to get something booked.

I'm not a fan of holidays. Used to be, but the shines worn off. Too much stress before and after and no guarantee of a great time while you're there.

A local beach, a book and peace and quiet'll do me anyway.

I am. Living on a small island, it’s nice to get away every so often to see family abroad. However, I will not be going anywhere as I think it is too soon to risk it, so will just enjoy being at home instead.

I think it is a case of if you can have it you want it, now. Us older ones are much more patient .

We've had three breaks cancelled this year. It doesn't bother me. We've been to lots of lovely places abroad and in the UK so I'm happy with that. I do feel for younger folk, such as my granddaughter who is desperate for a holiday in the sun.

I know that for some people, having a really good holiday is factored in to their plans for managing their life.
Some people I worked with, who had small children,would say that they worked hard, earned good money, and their main 'family time' was 1 or 2 seriously good holidays a year.
At the time we retired I knew other, comfortably off couples, who said that they were going to live in a flat, with the idea that they would spend a good part of the year abroad.
For people who have decided that is a huge part of their lives, the absence of 'holiday' is a huge blow. Personally, i didn't organise my life like that, but I have some sympathy for those who do - although of course they are lucky in the current climate to be able to consider it.
I would add that I have 2 young relatives, front-line NHS workers who made the decision to spend this crisis apart from their significant others (and still are). They have both spoken with feeling about the holiday they will enjoy together when they can.

We've had 2 cancellations but apart from having to fight to get my money back, I'm not too stressed about it and certainly wouldn't consider going on one just yet.
Is it really worth the risk?

Not really bursting to go but we have a cottage break booked for September in Kirby Lonsdale - I would like to go on that. Our Portugal holiday in May was cancelled of course but we weren't bothered.

My needs are satisfied with my own garden and home entertainment. However some people have few facilities in their homes and look forward to the countryside , the beach, or the art gallery when they go on holiday.

Some others like to explore novel surroundings or do new activities.

Others like to socialise with the possibility of sex , or flaunting something or other, in exotic surroundings.

I would absolutely love a holiday . Can’t pretend that COVID-19 has made any difference though .

Actually,I have touched on this in Annsixty’s “Signalling “ thread! -No not a thread about a thread!
Lots of reasons why I cannot even bring myself to look at the travel pages these days -
For years money was tight and we didn’t go anywhere except cottages in Scotland, Cornwall or Norfolk or a “free” holiday in a family friends farmhouse in the Dordogne. Then when Paw was contracting - so time away from the office = no income but while we were able, we made the most of city breaks of max a week or sometimes even a long weekend - always Europe though because of health issues.
So for me it was a situation of matching desire with capability, it’s easier that way!
Now much as there are places I would like to visit, I don’t like leaving Hattie, there is nobody to share it with and frankly, the appeal has gone. I wish I could stir myself to take advantage of the “freedom” I have after the last years of caring for Paw when he wasn’t well enough to travel (last “holiday” being a week in Ludlow in 2011 I think!) but lockdown has also banged that on the head.

We've cancelled a week in Seville, two short breaks in the UK, will probably cancel another short UK break in July and sadly a holiday in Portugal in September a birthday treat for my husband. We are both of the opinion that mass gatherings at airports and then the flights may not be wise, given the inevitability of a second spike. No not obsessed with holidays but they along with UK breaks are the highlights and would certainly break up the current monotony. As it is for everyone, life is going along on a continuous but rather dull path at the moment. I consider myself fortunate to live in a nice part of the world on the edge of London with several Royal parks to walk in and the river to walk by, plus we've had the bonus of some very good weather. I'm not stressed about the holidays because we've been able to cancel without forfeit of money, plus I've been to many of the places in the world I've wanted to go to, but well suffice to say about this year, resigned and a little disappointed.

Am looking at booking a house in a rural situation in France, which has a lower CV-19 rate than us, and no quarantine on return now. It will enable DS and DGs to come across from Spain and spend a few days with us, we haven't seen them for well over a year, and it looks as though offering them a holiday is the only way we will get to see DGs as they have continually made excuses when we have suggested visiting their house, but this they have agreed to! Serious hole in savings, but we are getting on a bit and soon won't get insurance to drive abroad, carpe diem and all that!

Our holiday was cancelled ( sob) for our 50th anniversary too, and possibly our last trip abroad.
Won’t be rushing to book anything at all now until at least next year or until there is a vaccine available ( if there ever is.)
It’s different if you are younger though, and our AC are looking forward to their holidays abroad in August.

With what has gone on this past 6mths and the sadness within the family my DD & I obviously cancelled Majorca for our week away in May,we have rebooked just this morning but not until June 2021 it gives us something to look forward to.

It’s not an ‘obsession’ for me, merely a sensible way of maintaining my wellbeing. I have been working from home doing a 55 hour week since the start of lockdown, mostly working online to a tight, externally imposed timetable. I have little time to cook well, or to relax, or to spend time caring for myself. I’m exhausted and going stir-crazy. To regain my equilibrium, I need a change of scenery, plenty of fresh air, good food, no technology and a bit of pampering. I can’t get any of that at home. So I’m taking a three day holiday in a beautiful location within easy driving distance. If others think that’s extravagance, or signalling or whatever, sorry, I don’t care.

Teetime

Not really bursting to go but we have a cottage break booked for September in Kirby Lonsdale - I would like to go on that. Our Portugal holiday in May was cancelled of course but we weren't bothered.

Don’t eat too many pies in that marvellous bakery.....

Just spoke to my son In sydney. He seems to think advice there is no international travel until this time next year. That will be nearly three years without seeing him.

We have had to cancel two holidays so far and I imagine our trip to the USA won’t happen.
I love my holidays but I’m looking at next year.

Not at all, but then we were away 6 times last year (not all abroad or ‘big’ trips) - and dh did a 7th on his own.

TBH I’ve enjoyed being at home, and for once we didn’t have a single thing booked before lockdown.

Having said that, when I was younger I’d have been dying to get away to some lovely warm sea (can still manage cold if I have to but still adore warm) - I’m sure I was a fish in a previous life.

So yes, I do understand people wanting to get away to more reliable sun/sea, or whatever they go for.

Lucca

Just spoke to my son In sydney. He seems to think advice there is no international travel until this time next year. That will be nearly three years without seeing him.

I've been wondering about that, Lucca
I thought I heard something about only those on business or with family would be allowed to travel there but haven't been able to find anything out since.
We were hoping to go this year and were not getting any younger to tackle that flight.

As for other holidays, I'm not that bothered now. Our neighbours go away abroad four or five times a year and have already booked for early next year.

I have no yearning to go abroad this year. There are places I would still like to visit, but if I don't ever get there it's not going to upset me.
It did occur to me that those obsessed with a beach holiday in Spain or Turkey are probably the same types who flocked to Bournemouth beach. They seem to want the UK abroad (food, booze) just with guaranteed weather.
Visiting relatives overseas and doing cultural stuff is a totally different matter.

those types?

I doubt my neighbours rushed off with the hordes to Bournemouth although they do enjoy their relaxing holidays abroad.