Monday, February 17, 2014
Half term is here and I need a break!
I'm a special school nurse so I get school holidays off. Like most things it's a blessing and a curse. It means more holidays (which I pay for through the way my days are structured- so you can stop sniping about how unfair it is..) However, its in school holidays so the it's much more expensive..
Part of this is countered by going to non tourist places, and partially by staying in places that most families wouldn't go to. My holidays tend to be in big cities and I stay in hostels and B&B's.
I'm coming to the end of a very busy half term, going in early and finishing late just to get what needed to be done finished. I'm not disorganised, there is too much to do for one person alone. My job was previously done by 1.5 people and you cannot fill that gap with being more efficient.
I spent most of my childhood holidays being told how grateful I should be to have a holiday, and having time pass with the aim of spending as little money as possible. When you've spent a day on a beach at Skegness in a arctic gale, wearing coats and gloves and have to stay there because you're on holiday. Even at age 10 I was thinking "This isn't right" and "This is a holiday?"
I travel a lot now because for most of my life for many reasons I couldn't. Where to next ?
"New York, London, Paris, Munich..."
Part of this is countered by going to non tourist places, and partially by staying in places that most families wouldn't go to. My holidays tend to be in big cities and I stay in hostels and B&B's.
I'm coming to the end of a very busy half term, going in early and finishing late just to get what needed to be done finished. I'm not disorganised, there is too much to do for one person alone. My job was previously done by 1.5 people and you cannot fill that gap with being more efficient.
I spent most of my childhood holidays being told how grateful I should be to have a holiday, and having time pass with the aim of spending as little money as possible. When you've spent a day on a beach at Skegness in a arctic gale, wearing coats and gloves and have to stay there because you're on holiday. Even at age 10 I was thinking "This isn't right" and "This is a holiday?"
I travel a lot now because for most of my life for many reasons I couldn't. Where to next ?
"New York, London, Paris, Munich..."
Sunday, February 09, 2014
Four seasons in one day
Yes its been a while, but will it be worth it?
Saturday started clear, so I went out for a bike ride. Then off to Villa Park (cold wet and a miserable game) about the less said about the better.
The evening bought a gathering of the clan (minus two members at work) . My brother came up from Suffolk with his partner and two year old son. We had a chinese takeaway and then he kept us amused playing with cars and making his daddy be a "horsey" I love having grown up children! They may be less cute, but I can watch tv without being bounced on!
Sunday was a much better day than the forecast suggested. Mostly ok, but with the odd rain and hail stone/ shower.
I wanted to get ahead for next week, so went to work for a few hours and then went to church. Geoff gave a fantastic sermon, that will take some reviewing and pondering over.
Ali and I had lunch together. We went for a carvery and had the usual large amount of vegetables and some meat. What was great was we actually talked, rather than dealing with jobs, organising etc. It was brilliant. Then a trip to Aldi. Highlight was boxes of Christmas cards for 25p! I would recommend the (non sale price) Aldi budget lemonade for 17p.
The rest of the afternoon was trying (and failing) to get Ali's car started, calling out a breakdown man (10 seconds with the right tools) and reorganising the clothes in my wardrobe.
If all of the above thrills and excitement is too much for you, then you probably need a lie down.
Saturday started clear, so I went out for a bike ride. Then off to Villa Park (cold wet and a miserable game) about the less said about the better.
The evening bought a gathering of the clan (minus two members at work) . My brother came up from Suffolk with his partner and two year old son. We had a chinese takeaway and then he kept us amused playing with cars and making his daddy be a "horsey" I love having grown up children! They may be less cute, but I can watch tv without being bounced on!
Sunday was a much better day than the forecast suggested. Mostly ok, but with the odd rain and hail stone/ shower.
I wanted to get ahead for next week, so went to work for a few hours and then went to church. Geoff gave a fantastic sermon, that will take some reviewing and pondering over.
Ali and I had lunch together. We went for a carvery and had the usual large amount of vegetables and some meat. What was great was we actually talked, rather than dealing with jobs, organising etc. It was brilliant. Then a trip to Aldi. Highlight was boxes of Christmas cards for 25p! I would recommend the (non sale price) Aldi budget lemonade for 17p.
The rest of the afternoon was trying (and failing) to get Ali's car started, calling out a breakdown man (10 seconds with the right tools) and reorganising the clothes in my wardrobe.
If all of the above thrills and excitement is too much for you, then you probably need a lie down.
