Friday, August 08, 2008

Summertime And The Leaving Ain’t Easy

I’m off from work for 10 whole days after today... and the original plan was to head west tomorrow morning at first light, journey for approximately 4 hours and then pitch our humungous 900 berth tent in the land of green valleys, male voice choirs and sheep.

Alas the weather reports for the week ahead are not good. They’re absolutely dire in fact. And though we are not usually put off by crap weather (being hardy English folk) our camping experiences in June left us rather indisposed to attempt camping once again in Monsoon conditions with a 7 year old and a young baby in tow.

So much as we love Wales, Wales is out.

Now the plan is to wing it. Day trips out to Legoland, The Heights Of Abraham, The Hadrian Exhibition at The British Museum among others. Plus drop-in visits to various family and friends who are scattered up and down the length and breadth of the country. I think Karen (my lovely wife) is also arranging a trip to see the new Batman movie at the cinema on my birthday next Wednesday too and possibly a slap-up meal while the kids are securely corralled by a babysitter.

So all in all, it’s not going to be a proper holiday this year. But as “not a proper holiday’s” go, it should be a good one.

Let’s hope so anyway...

15 comments:

Rol said...

Going by the accuracy of this year's weather reports so far, we're probably heading for a heatwave. I'd keep the tent in reserve.

Steve said...

That's Plan B, actually Rol. Or rather Plan C or Plan B(ii). We're going to keep an eye on the weather forecast for Gwynedd and if it starts to look good for a few days we may yet head there with our tent pegs a-flapping in the slipstream of our passage...

skatey katie said...

happy hols Steve, if you can squeeze it in, take Karen to Mamma Mia (perhaps as a pick-me-up after Heath's "gloriously unhinged" - not my words, but i love 'em - performance). looking forward to hearing what you both think of "The Bat-man"... yeah, Bulldog and i saw it on tues: spent the whole two and three quarter hours under the spell of The Joker.

skatey katie said...

(oh and apologies if you got that comment eleventy billion times, blogger is being a prize idiot today and NOT LOADING! *ack!!*)

-eve- said...

It'll be a good rest :-)
Sounds nice to me; not everyone likes camping! I'd prefer legoland, surely :-)

Steve said...

I've lost count of the recommendations I've regarding Batman, Kate, so I'm really looking forward to going! Am disappointed to note that this post has not garnered eleventy billion comments after all...!

If I'm honest, Eve, so do I!

KeyReed said...

Having returned from Wales today I can vouch for the fact that the rain is very wet.

Steve said...

Thanks for the weather check, Mr Saw... always nice to know we made the right decision!

Daisy said...

the best times i have had steve are those which were not planned...take a moment to think of some surprise for karen...just some little quirky think the two of you can do for a short period of time together (not a movie) even if it is just taking time to talk over coffee...trust me it will make your trip memorable and money really doesn't constitute happiness when you are with someone you love...have fun!!!

Old Cheeser said...

Hey, have a good break! So you're thinking of visiting the British Museumn then? My workplace actually looks onto the back of the Museum, so if I see you, Karen and the kids strutting around I'll give you a wave!

Know what you mean about the weather, we had a good heatwave a couple of weeks ago, but now it's gone cr*p again.

MOTHER OF MANY said...

Sensible man.
I live in Wales and the only way I cope with the near constant rain is having a nice house to be in when it is constantly throwing it down.
My girls went to the Eisteddfod on Saturday and came back like drowned rats.....that's August in Wales for you.

The Sagittarian said...

Have a great time away from the drudgery! The unplanned can turn out to be more fun anyway, Steve. I note your birthday being Wednesday...my "baby" will be 11 on Thursday. Is the fire brigade on standby for your candles?? :-)

TimeWarden said...

Happy Birthday for this Wednesday, Steve! Good time to have a week off!! Make the most of it and hope you enjoy "The Dark Knight".

Steve said...

Daisy, the unexpected has already overtaken us - sickness and diarrhea all round. Every holiday this year we've ended up being sick... feel quite low with it if I'm honest. It's like we're cursed not to be able to have a decent break!

OC, if we actually make it down to London I'll be sure to keep a look out for a charismatic, smartly dressed man waving at me from a window!

Ally, not that I'm wishing bad weather on Wales but it would have been more galling to decide not to go and then find the weather has become fine. It's some consolation to know we made the right decision.

Amanda, fire brigade? I've got one of those water carrying helicopter lined up that put out forest fires. Or we could leave it burning throughout the winter and save on our energy bills!

Thanks TimeWarden, we watched Batman Begins again yesterday just to bring us up to speed and get us in the mood.

Daisy said...

steve...as you are not taking an "official holiday" you will not have an illness! so saith daisy!