Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[patsylabrador]

Keyhole Kate's thread has got me wondering about summer holidays. Do people still take a couple of weeks off in the summer and do seaside, lakes, that sort of thing or mostly go abroad?

Because of OH's job plus the fact that I did Home Ed with my kids we only had summer holidays for a couple of years and that was so long ago. We were able to go out of season and mostly went camping in Germany.

Now we prefer to have short breaks, sometimes only one night and try different areas of England, Germany and North France. We tend to avoid the six week holiday season, it makes sense. Haven't done much of France but I'm starting to like it more. I always like to get a feel of the place I'm staying in and avoid going in big groups and capital cities. A small town suits me better. Even in England I've been surprised at how foreign a place can feel. I think we should try other countries and we''re saving like crazy for a journey across America but I also want to go to Hokkaido to see ES.

I'm very curious about other people's holidays and what they do so if you feel like sharing I'd love to know.

[gavclojak]

I do love my holidays, my pops isn't well at the moment so can't entertain a holiday at the moment as I can't ask then to look after my dogs.

 

I like one big holiday a year and a sneaky week mid year...usually Egypt for some sun, snorkelling, and quad bikes.

Have done Mexico a few times as it ticks so many boxes, historic, fantastic beaches, amazing wildlife, lovely food/people, diving cinote...loads to do. (Quads again!.,,love them)

 

Have done a few city breaks, went to Iceland to see the northern lights..didn't see diddly!!! But was so pretty anyway.

 

Apparently sark is beautiful if you have kids...no cars on the island and is apparently stunning! X

[HarrisonFamily]

I have not left this country for 12 years....we camp alot and normally take a cottage my the sea at Easter for a week...

 

My children aged 8 & 9 love camping and I love it, the time has no meaning, we just eat when we are hungry, play all those games such as cricket, frisbee and fly a kite...we do have to leave my husband at home as he only likes camping if no one is around !!!! in fact this summer we are going camping only 45 minutes away as the campsite is the best I have ever been on - frog pond, woods, fishing lakes, canals and the owners have loads of space but limit it to 40 tents.....

 

However, next year we are hoping to visit relatives in Australia....

[Purplemaniacs]

We haven't been away for a week or two for years. OH finds it difficult to get time off and I work in a school so am limited to school hols.

 

Last time we went away for a few nights I spent most of my time worrying if the house, dogs and chooks were ok, DD and her children stay here to look after things.

 

Since our unwelcome visitors in the autumn I am not sure I want to go away for a couple of nights at the moment, did go away to run an archery tournament the other weekend which I had to attend due to prior commitment. But while away I was so busy I had no time to worry about the house and DD, dogs sulked when I got back, one wouldn't eat properly for almost a week.

 

So back to the question I am not planning on going away this year, it is too much trouble and worry, I just hope OH doesn't surprise me with a weekend away.

 

Chrissie

[soapdragon]

We go an annual pilgramage to Bigbury on Sea, Devon, for a week each year..usually end of May/beginning of June. Just can't afford the very silly, inflated prices that are charged during the school hols

 

I'd love to go for a ten days/2 weeks as one week is just never quite enough - esp when there are things like shopping (thank goodness for online!) laundry etc to organise as well.

 

OH usually takes a week over the summer and we go out for the odd day (sometimes they really ARE odd!) But this year he won't be able to get any more than a day off here and there so will be tearing my hair out!

 

None of us currently have passports so even day trip to France is not poss as would cost about £260.00 just for the documentation (why do we need passports anyway when we are in the EU? Surely travel within the EU should be possible without! ) Also means we can't fly within the UK so Scotland/Ireland are out.

 

Our ideal; hol would be two weeks over the summer in Devon self catering in a very quiet cottage within walking distance of a lovely beach with rockpools - well, I can dream, can't I

[Beantree]

Like most poultry keepers, holidays are out for us. We used to go to West Ireland for a week in May then Isle of Mull for a week in September, but it all got rather expensive. Then we started camping in France. Despite moving constantly from site to site over the two weeks, after 4 years we still hadn't seen much of it. The best bits are in the South, but that's a long way so a lot of driving.

[Daphne]

We've been very lucky and for years (pre chickens) we'd take a week in late May (these used to be s/c cottages in different parts of France but more recently Portugal) and a week in early September (ditto, or maybe Greece or Italy, wherever was cheap/warm). When I had a properly paid job we also used to go for a weekend in December to somewhere cold, preferably with a market, usually Belgium or Northern France.

 

More recently we've had more varied holidays instead of the different s/c weeks. We've got into winter sports so save like mad for a few days in Germany or Austria (I've discovered I 'need' a spa and a cake buffet so we go to a hotel ) and also we've taken a few short cycling trips to the same countries. And then since my bro emigrated we've been to Australia quite a few times (camping) and I've now discovered how amazing America is as we have family there too. That's my next big trip - driving from Oregon down the West Coast.

 

However, as we are now living in Portugal, holidays are a thing of the past, although I don't miss them as we have such a relaxed life and really so much of the country is unknown to us so there are lots of new experiences to be had Having said that, we are going to Wales for a couple of days this year, but its all tied up with a big birthday, so it doesn't feel quite like a holiday.

 

I was very lucky with the chooks - experienced neighbours, with chooks of their own and plenty of opportunities to return favours owed

[mullethunter]

I used to travel a lot when I was younger - mostly on my own - and I've been all over the place. I occasionally miss all that but generally am happy with the more settled life I have now.

 

OH and I tend to go away for the odd long weekend fishing in late summer to somewhere on the south coast, and then will sometimes go for a weeks surfing in the Canaries over the winter - usually only if the summer here's been rubbish and we're desperate for some better weather. We're going to southern Ireland to fish for a week this September. I've done a stint as a secondary school teacher, but now neither OH or I have education based jobs and I really appreciate being able to take leave at any time.

 

Having said all that OH isn't generally that keen on going away in general, and now I've got the chooks it'll be more difficult (there is a hen hotel near(ish) to us but to put the cats in a cattery and the girls in a hotel will add a lot to the price of a week away), so we may well only do UK weekends from now on.

[Mrs Webmuppet]

We had our summer holiday, three nights camping at the Hollesley Ukulele Festival just half an hours drive away. I don't play use but both Mr and LMW play. We had an electric hook up this year which made life so much easier for me, we have a camping electric kettle and an electric cool box.

 

We used to have holidays abroad but it got too expensive and LMW schooling costs a fortune plus we have to find zoo sitters when we go away whilst our neighbours don't mind doing a few days a week might be a bit much.

[Cinnamon]

Now that our girls have moved out we too can travel during school terms, which is a much nicer experience & much,much cheaper.

We tend to do a sun holiday each year. Last year it was Zakynthos, this year it is Turkey, next year (already booked) will be Skiathos. We go in the beginning of September, which is perfect.

 

We do day trips & overnighters too - Wales next weekend, & London back in April...Centerparcs in November

 

I have a little part time job which tends to pay for all of this. It makes having to go to work not seem so bad if you are getting some nice trips & adventures back for your graft!

[sparkysmum]

Simon and I had one night's camping in Lochgilphead a week or so ago and that will be it this year. The lovely Hazie is only 16 so cant leave her for long and for her the the thought of camping with her parents is just too gross However we managed to go to the Scottish Beaver trial area which was only a few miles away and whilst we were too late in the day to see the beavers, we did see their dam, and lots of evidence of their activity. So absolutely fascinating and absorbing. You def got the feeling that you were in the prescence of "something". Horrific for ticks tho'. Dogs came back covered in them and Simon and I got a few too

 

Also managed to stop off at the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and deli, a real treat. All in all a fab day and night.

 

http://www.scottishbeavers.org.uk/ Scottish Beaver Trial

 

http://www.lochfyne.com/restaurant-oyster-bar/ Loch Fune Oyster Bar

[Bramble]

I like being away on holiday, but do struggle with all the "stuff" that needs doing before I go and, worse still, when I get back.

 

I also struggle to switch off from work so haven't taken two weeks off for more years than I care to mention. However, I do try to make the effort to take my mum away for a week a couple of times a year, usually to Devon/Dorset area. I can't be faffed with even thinking about going abroad, I have a dog and (despite my intention to put her in kennels) I don't want to go on holiday unless she can come too, which limits the options in terms of accommodation, Mum is getting on a bit, so again, there are things to think about there in terms of accommodation. Funnily enough, this thread has prompted me to start thinking about a break, maybe late September or October ... good time to go as the weather is usually still reasonable and the kiddly-winks are back at school so everywhere is much quieter.

 

Happy hols to anyone who is off on their travels soon!!!

[Margaret]

I am obviously older than you all lovely ladies on here, Kids in their 30's and I work full time OH retired for 2 years now

So now we have lovely holidays, compared to what we used to do when all 3 children where little and we didnt have any money,

This year we went to Mexico in January, just back 2 weeks ago from a lovely bucket and spade holiday in Kos with our 3 year old grandson. going to Ireland on Saturday for a week with friends, New York in December for 5 days and then Barbados in Feb....sorry you did ask. Have to take Hens to Mumbles Farm and Gill looks after them for me, so quite a bit of fluffing going on with that, getting them there cleaning Cube and then collecting them, cant trust kids even at their ages to look after them

[Olly]

This is fascinating! I have been saving really hard and haven't had a 'big' holiday for about four years, when I went to Cuba. However I have had lots of weekends away with family and friends, done a couple of courses on subjects I was interested in, did a short cruise, had 'staycation' at home (lovely) and for the last few years I've been a volunteer for a week at a summer camp activity.

 

I hate the sun and don't enjoy sitting around so a beach holiday isn't really for me. I've been away with Exodus and Explore who do more 'activity' type holidays (not too active!). I'm single and don't have any children and these are good as you don't have to pay a single room supplement and you meet other people.

 

I realised recently that I haven't really missed 'proper' holidays There are a few places I would love to go and maybe when my endowment matures ... I'd love to go to Antarctica or Iceland, and I've always wanted to go on safari but if I was told that they would never happen, I could live with it. I would just as soon have a long weekend somewhere as two weeks abroad. A holiday for me is not getting on the Tube every day!

[gavclojak]

Iceland was lovely Olly, but very expensive...OH and I rode a snow-mobile on a glacier for an hour and it cost £400.00, we hired a guide and he took us to a national park and the geezers and that was £375.00 for a day 10am-5pm...also the cost of food....WOW...2x tiny pizza, a beer and a bottle of water £40.00

 

it was lovely, but would have been better if we had seen the lights..

[Ain't Nobody Here]

We always had a 2 week holiday in the summer when the kids were younger - went to the 4 UK countries and also Ireland/France/Holland/Belgium/Italy. Usually self-catering and a few cycling holidays. Always took our own car (except for cycling in Italy).

 

Now they're 20 and 22, we're changing our habits. We've decided to do 2 long weekend foreign city breaks a year (just the 2 of us) and a week somewhere in the summer (we're just back from a week in Glen Affric near Inverness) which the boys are welcome to come on too.

 

Having a very elderly dog is making our holidays different now too - poor Riley can't walk very far at all so the usual hillwalking etc hols are out for the time being. I dog-sat in Glen Affric while the boys went running up and down Munros (I was quite happy to sit that out ).

[Lavenders_Blue]

No kiddywinks here, so I much prefer to avoid the school hols and usually go away May/June or September. Since getting the dog we've mostly done UK holidays which I've actually really enjoyed. It makes you realise how much there is to see on our little island, and how much diversity. We had a week in Wales earlier this year, which included climbing Snowdon - I loved that - and in October I'm having a few days in Florence with my mum. My dad will look after the dog and she will be allowed to run riot If I do go abroad I prefer city breaks. I'm not one to lounge about on the beach, it's okay for a day, then I get bored.

[Valkyrie]

Went to Lyme Regis at Easter for a short break (and hubby attended his birthday River Cottage course), then Mull for 8 days in June. Going to Yorkshire for another week in mid September. I don't like flying - the more I go, the worse I get - much to hubby's annoyance. Hey ho he can go - not stopping him! Lots to see and do here and still loads of places to explore that we have never been to before. Next year we will have mini breaks around Hereford/Worcester/Gloucester/Warwickshire to suss out where we would like to move to.

 

I agree - I cannot sit on a beach and soak up the sun - if I'm in a place to visit I'll be exploring most days and then perhaps a rest day or two in between.

[mollyripkim]

We have the travel bug, kids grown up, but it does take some organising sorting all the animals out. I run a dog sitting service anyway so that's easy, cat to cattery and this year someone coming in to look after the chickens and ducks. We went to japan in April, Barcelona in feb and off to dubai in September. We've been lucky to have been to some amazing places but just beginning to dread the very long haul flights. Having said that hubby retires next year so we may have to cut back but would love to go to Cambodia and Vietnam. Any suggestions to best time of year for that welcome.

[chickencam]

We generally have a week away at Easter which is so much cheaper than the summer and you can get good weather, then a week to visit family in the summer which has been at the same cottage for about the last 10 years,we are their most returning family,mew sometimes stay around New Year too to see the family.

 

For the first time in years we are having a summer seaside holiday in Hove next week, unfortunately it looks like the weather might do the dirty on us, but can't moan too much because we have had a great summer so far.

 

I would love to travel more but my OH isn't keen on flying or seeing the world, he has only been on a bog plane once and that was only from Bristol to Edinburgh. That was his only visit to Scotland and he has never been abroad.

 

I would like to see Scandinavia and the alpine regions of Europe, and it would be great to do some of the amazing railways of the world.

[Blackrocksrock]

Hubby does not fly so I tend to go to my daughters in Eire and to my friends in Indiana - just back from 3 weeks in Indiana and my friends took me to Canada to Niagara falls for 5 nights - it was amazing and I loved it - Love America - everything is much cheaper than here (healthcare excluded) and the people are very friendly especially to hear a scottish voice. I went twice last year but the prices fluctuate so have to be selective when you go - June was reasonable to go outwith the school holidays and was HOT. Not a sit in the sun person either.

[patsylabrador]

Thank you for all your replies. I've had a lovely time reading through them. It really is interesting to see the variety of holidays. I think we're lucky to live in a time when travel is relatively easy.

[gavclojak]

I think we're lucky to live in a time when travel is relatively easy.

 

Eeeks but with the Ebola outbreak in Sudan at the moment a scary time.....you can be on a plane and on your way around the world in a few short hours....

[soapdragon]

Thinking about that comment regarding Ebola .........There is a chap, in his mid 60s, in the next village to us who grew up there, has never lived anywhere else, been to London only once in his life - the furthest he has ever travelled - and he has never seen the sea. A day out for him is cycling (he never learned to drive) into the nearest town on market day. He is one of the happiest, jolliest, fittest people I know and so full of country wisdom!!!!

[Grandmashazzie]

We have just bought a touring caravan.And for first time ever were away for 4 weeks.We went to France and explored Loire,Pyrennes and Brittany.It was lovely having all my own bits and pieces including the dog.In the past we have done city breaks,just the two of us and as family Explore family holidays to India S Africa and China,which were the sort of places I would not have felt comfortable travelling independently.Next year we hope to do Cairngorms and Cornwall.