Entertainment For Lively Minds
"You off anywhere nice?"
Posted by el hombre malo on 5 July 2010 - 10:22pm.
Here in Scotland, the schools have broken up and the commute to the office is a dream.
I'm counting the days until we head back here :
Portnahaven, Islay.
Despite CalMac changing ferry times at the last minute, we'll be there at the end of the month - curry & chips on the ferry across, visiting Islay Ales, possibly visiting a distillery, and enjoying endless fresh air and beaches and space and peace and quiet.
So, Massive - are you off anywhere nice on your holidays ? Is anyone stay-cationing ? (Or is that so last year?)
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Started my holiday
last Thursday and still have over 50 sleeps before I next darken work's door, but unfortunately the GLW works for one of those horrible nasty companies which only allows her 2 weeks off!
Just booked a week in a cottage in co Leitrim for August.
Off to Newquay
in August and the marvel that is Watergate Bay
I used
to live there - Watergate bay (a flat in "coastline court" a somewhat utilitarian grey block of flats, to be precise). Long time ago now, having left in 1990 for a life of Northern grimness, pies and chips and gravy in Lancashire, but I still miss Cornish Pasties and the view and the surfing and the walking into town for a night out and about September time when most of the emmets (no offence) had gone, but the weather was still decent.
Happy days. Enjoy your hols, it's a great place.
Somewhere in the Peak District
Me and The GLW both work in schools, me admin and her a teacher, so we are looking forward to the oh too short 6 week break. We have the use of a lovely large(ish) cottage in it's own grounds for a week. No TV so plenty of music catch up and marvellous walks and views from every angle. Can't wait. Bottle of wine, hopefully good weather, some fine music. Just 4 weeks to go.
Winter holidays
here in NZ so nothing too dramatic. However, I'm planning on a few days at Castlepoint. Fishing, drinking, tall stories, drinking, bracing walks and a spot of drinking.
http://www.new-zealand-pictures.co.nz/castlepoint-fishing-cliffs-wairara...
I think you mean here in new zealand, and always dramatic
At least from my experience. But maybe you live with it, so you're used to it.
Staying at home
Given your avatar, I was going to say Calton Creek...
I'm thinking of getting a rescue dog and taking time off with him/her.
Mexico for the first time
For a family holiday in Yucutan. Islay looks lovely though.
It really is
Go There.
Just reading Iain Bank's book about the Scottish whisky industry 'In Search Of The Perfect Dram' - he's not quite as amusing or interesting as he thinks he is (sorry that's patronising maybe he had a big deadline) but as a starting point for why you would want to go to Scotland (which everybody must) and drink whisky (ditto but with health caveats) its a wonderful tour. I love his unabashed pride in Scotland.
In laws and Castles
In August off for a wee tour of Hungary with the in laws, first Budapest, then Debrecen for a flower festival, Szeged and Sopron.
Later on we will drive through the Loire Valley and view some Chateaux while, I imagine, eating gateaux. Which is nice.
Waiting until November...
Then it's a dream cruise to Antarctca taking in the Falklands and South Georgia on the way.
The countdown ia approaching double figures.
Relaxing
We booked a luxury appartment in Brighton Marina for 2 weeks in September (WiFi, DVD, Decent TV - there will be England Euro games on!) but that seemed so far away that we've already had a bonus week of chilling in Cape Cod in between strikes and dust clouds. I don't make these decisions, I just rubber stamp them and pay - no complaints though!
Skiathos
We're off to Skaithos, Greece for the third time in four years. It simply ticks all the boxes for us.
A weekend at Guilfest before we go and some weekends camping through the summer. I don't wish to tempt fate but this summer has been very good in south east England so far this year.
Have fun
I went to Skiathos about ten years ago and found it a thoroughly lovely place.
Enjoy Guilfest too - the site is about 5 minutes walk from my flat (I won't be there; I'm going to Latitude) and looked great last year. I'm not sure if you've been before, but there's a leisure centre just next to the site; ideal for a proper shower in the mornings.
Cheers Joe
I would prefer to be at Latitiude but as Guilfest will be a freebie beggars can't be choosers! I hope to make it to Latitiude one of these years.
We're off to just outside Plockton
Was going to post some photos of the Llamas and sheep that live on the beach but found this on You Tube - the beach cottage will see bonfires every night alot of chatting and drinking and maybe the occasional song.
a lovely summer, fingers crossed
I'm taking the little daughters to the South of France, to visit my mum. Husband volunteered to remain home!
Later in the Summer, we have other treats planned. Including, Camp Bestival, visiting a friend in Fowey, and a jaunt up to Somerset: as per tradition, we're renting a cottage with three other families. Should be ace.
PS as a security measure, I should add that the above is all a fib. I'm not going ANYWHERE this summer. Instead, I'm going to spend the remainder of July, and August, sitting in my hall holding a chainsaw and making growling noises. Yeah!
A week in the Lake District
at the end of next week, and then a week in Aviemore in September...looking forward to both...nice walks with the GLW and the little 'un, a pint or 2 in some country pubs and generally relaxing.
Italy
We've hired a trulli in Puglia, down by the heel. Olive groves, wine, great food, walks, sleep.
Can't wait.
Give Italy a kiss...
from me.
Welcome to my world!
I live in a trullo. They're great! Anywhere near Monopoli?
Silly me with my inadvertent plurals.
I actually can't remember offhand where we're staying. We saw the pictures of the various trulli that we were considering, and just fell in love. I'd go just for the building.
And seriously, S.O. - lucky you! I adore Italy. Been there more than any other country, other than the UK.
S'great, innit?
If you're near Locorotondo on 18th July, Gil Scott-Heron is playing a free concert.
vorgona and vorgonito
Are off to Bulgaria in August while, bah, work means I've to stay here. Still, off to Moscow at Christmas and that's something to look forward to!
Just a weekend for summer
Off to Southwold for a couple of days, then Cropredy the weekend after.
To take the sting out of this lack of a 'big trip', and not having been abroad so far this year, or to Itlay for three years, I'm booking the autumn half term week in Rome.
Southwold
For the fifth year running, August for a week, North Devon first for a week, then a further week in South Devon.Have you been to Southwold before?
Never
Though I live in Essex not that far away. That said, it's the first time my girlfriend and I have gone away without her daughter in tow, so we might not see the outside of the hotel room.
You must both
be really tired!
Working till the end of August...
... but might be walking Hadrian's Wall afterwards.
Unimpeachable taste
:-)
If Northumberland was warmer and not full of psychotic gunmen it would be regarded as Biarittz with tattoos
Have a karma timeout...
...for making me chuckle out loud in the office.
I completely love Northumberland. If north Lancs and Cumbria hadn't stolen my heart, thanks to my wife, I'd be looking to move to Alnwick or thereabouts for the rest of my life. The coast around Bamburgh and Holy Island is one of the most beautiful places in all of Britain.
Islay as well
Combined with a few days on beautiful Colonsay. Like you, hombre, I would imagine a visit to Islay Ales and at least one distillery will also be involved.
Also going to visit friends who have a small hotel in the mountains near Ronda in Andalusia. Similarly can't wait.
Get yersel down the south coast..
..and you can get to Lagavulin, Ardbeg and Laphroaig all within a few miles of each other...slainte!
We're staying in Port Ellen
so that trip is very much on the agenda - on foot of course so I can sample a dram, or several. Mrs P works for Glenmorangie, who own Ardbeg, so she's keen to visit some of her colleagues that she's never met in person before.
36 days and counting
Until me and Miss Peckish take ourselves off to Lisbon for a week. Neither of us have been before so we are really looking forward to it.
Beyond that we have weddings in Galway, York and Aberdeenshire to look forward to so we will make a long weekend out of each of those.
Already had a weekend in Budapest with some old university friends which was great.
Tokyo in early August
Does anyone have up to date on the cd store situation? I've always wanted to go browsing there but fear I may have missed their peak by five years or so. Also how expensive are the cds? I've looked on the net but they seem pretty expensive. Lastly I promised my nephew (he's 9yo) I'd buy him some flashy looking toys, can anyone point me towards a good toy store?
Thanks
Can't help you with the toys
but CD's - I came back with loads. Mainly from branches of Disk Union
http://diskunion.net/st/shop/e_index.html
The Japanses aren't hot on road names or street numbers so I can't offer much in the way of directions - best I can say is head for Shinjinku Station and start searching - there's a great 5 floor branch on the same side of the station as Tower Records (which is a little way away in a shopping centre - not that great as I recall). Prices of new stuff are similar to the UK but they have loads of second hand items and bootlegs at reasonable prices. And they take credit cards.
Thanks for the link it's brilliant
I'll be printing the maps out and taking them with me so thanks again.
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.
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Tokyo toy shops
Kiddieland on Omotesando-Dori - the main road up from Aoyama towards the Meiji Jingu shrine and Harajuku station - has five or six floors. Lots of robots and stuff up at the top. If you can't find something to please a nine year old boy there, you're not really trying.
Also worth looking at Hakuhinkan at one end of the main shopping street in Ginza.
I second the mention of Disk Union, great stores. The HMV & Tower in Shibuya are also well worth visiting, and put the Oxford Street megastores firmly in the shade.
I lived there for two years and absolutely loved it, my favourite city ever. You're going to have a great time. How long are you there? If you have the opportunity to get out of the city, Kamakura and Hakone are two places easily accessible from central Tokyo and both are well worth a visit - the open air sculpture museum at Hakone is wonderful.
One word of warning...early August? It is going to be HOT. Very hot, and very humid. You have never appreciated air conditioning like you will then
Thanks
You read my mind, toy robots are top of my shopping list, If the little b doesn't want them I'll keep them. I want the one from "A Fistful of Yen" (it shot real bullets)
I'm there for a week and do hope to get out of the city, the open air sculpture museum sounds just the ticket.
As for the weather I'm sure I'll be okay. I've been to Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong and coped, besides I'm from Melbourne in Southern Australia which means I have desert on one side and Antartica on the other which makes the weather somewhat "changeable". If the wind changes it can go from blazing hot to piercingly cold in the space of an hour. In that regard I'm very adaptable because weatherwise I grew up in a madhouse.
toy robots
there are also plenty of stores in the Akihabara district (otaku* central) that will happily flog you robot after robot...
*Japanese nerds, basically
My wife's going to Spain...
...and I'm staying in the house across the road. No really. We arranged to house-swap with some people from Malaga but I've had to take some last minute work and, luckily ( or unluckily ), our neighbour's house is available during the exact three weeks covering our 'swap'. The views, I'm told, are lovely. If slightly familiar.
a few weeks and counting
before the LB family vacate to Pas De Calais. Specifically, Maninghem, near Montreuil. Gite hired for 2 weeks. Nothing nearby other than a restaurant which is walkable. Coast is 15 minutes in the car.
Looking forward to evenings of tired (and sleeping 2.5 year olds, nice wine and an ipod with speakers on the veranda).
edit - decided to mystify my date. Vulpes has got me worried.
Just started working again
after three wonderful weeks of vacation...usual shock yesterday seeing how much my colleagues have managed to turn everything upside down while filling in for me. I should be used to it by now, but every year I somehow think the idiots are going to learn/remember the stern talking to that they got after the last fuck-up/actually READ my detailed instructions on how to do my work, that I spend time writing for them before I leave...
( OK, steam blown off now, I feel fine! )
Anyway, I stayed at home and enjoyed myself thoroughly; nights out, good restaurants, quality time with friends and family that I see too little of when I'm working, fantastic weather, lots of picnics ( my speciality ), reading good books, watching good fotball games...
I feel happy and well rested, totally opposite how I felt before these three weeks. Mission accomplished!
I have two weeks in August as well, my birthday to celebrate, and a ticket to a two day festival at the end of the vacation - my first festival ever, so that should be fun!
For now, the hours I work give me time to enjoy the sun mid day before work, and the summer nightlife after work as well - if I want to. So I don't mind working through July.
Home and Abroad
A week at Dahab on the Red Sea diving with our two teenagers. I'm not actually that bothered with scuba but will do a couple of days and pack an extra book for when the rest are off the boat.
Latitude with Mrs Beach will be a highlight.
We live in the heart of the Peak District. I have relatives visting from the US and NI so plan to take a further week showing them around which I always enjoy.
Finally Mrs Beach and I have got into the habit of taking an autumnal 3-4 night city break. Book a cheap flight, find a flat and explore. It's fascinating getting under the skin of a city never visited before, this year it's Berlin.
Great city Berlin
Lovely people the Germans. Eventually we will all get over the 20th Century!
Got back from Sardina a week or so ago.
Mark Warner-ing. Middle-class Butlins, as it is known.
Split break
A few days in Warwickshire, National Trusting and the like, home for a bit for visitors and then 2 nights in London. Had not quite appreciated just how extortionate London hotels were until I had to book one. Makes the 3 nights in a Warwickshire PremierInn at £29 a night look even more of a bargain ! Win some, lose some I guess....
No break from caring duties I'm afraid.
This will be the tenth year on the run without a holiday.However the weather seems to be holding for now so the odd day out with the Aged P and the GLW might be possible and The Liverpool Mingle with the NW Massive is on the immediate horizon,so all in all nothing to grumble about.What I really wish to say is I hope everyone has a tremendously good time,where ever you are going,doing whatever you are planing to do when you get there.Happy Trails my friends.
You are a
big man, my friend.
And I mean that in the nicest possible way.
Wish
I could somehow conjure you up the idyllic break you deserve. Life deals out too many responsibilities to those strong enough to live with them, while the feckless get feck all of their share. Have a squeeze from me, Mr Squeezer.
Your good wishes are much appreciated
Totally different circumstances, but your post reminded me of the times, about 8 years ago, when I was unexpectedly rendered single when the then FPO upped and left. Time off became a burden rather than a blessing and I found myself unable to contemplate solo holidays or tourism. I always dreaded the inevitable work and hairdresser conversations - I was generally OK being single but this particular area always got to me and I suppose, made me feel quite inadequate (as did Xmas and other "family" occasions). I didn’t miss the FPO much, but I did miss the holidays, and couldn’t muster the courage to go alone. I couldn’t easily have managed the magnanimous good wishes you posted above. Looking back, plain and simple – I was jealous of the good times everyone else was having.
Eventually I got partially over myself and went on a 1 week break to Spain with a company which specialised in "independent" holidays i.e. for the middle aged Johnny No-Mates. A woman at work - recently separated - had been to the same place, and came back loved up, with tales of high jinx, late night liaisons and generally great times. Me - Club 35-50? Absolutely – bring it on.
I hated every single second of it. I’ve never met such a socially inept bunch of people either before or since. I’ll never forget the first night dinner –
Me : (To man in Man Utd shirt – clearly a football loving kindred spirit) – “Ever been to Old Trafford?”
Man U Shirt : “Where?”
Me: “Old Trafford .... you know, Man United”
Man U Shirt : “Oh, no. Me mum gave me the shirt for Christmas. Never watch footy”
(sprits sinking, I turn to the chap the other side of me)
Me : “So where are you from?”
Him: “Bolton”
Me: “Ah (long pause) what d’you do for a living”
Him: “Mechanic”
Me: “Ah right (even longer pause) I work for an insurance company”
Him: “Total con insurance is. Bastards”
I spent the rest of the week wearing out my walkman and reading everything I bought with me and anything else I could find. It also rained a lot. I could see why some people there hadn’t ever found a partner – and looked likely to stay that way. What worried me was that I might have joined their ranks. Luckily I was granted a reprieve some years later.
I'm developing a Twitter application
that parses all of your posts above, cross-references them with any other posts you've made here or on Face-whatsit, My-whatsit and so on, and finally bulk emails to the 'Ordinary Decent Criminal' mailing list advising when your gaff will be empty and ripe for the pickings.
Take care everyone, don't reveal too much about your hols unless you have already booked 'Rottweilers R Us' to house-sit while you're gone.
PS The Fox clan are relocating to the west of Ireland for a short period of holly-jollys at some point this year, but only after cousin Olav 'The Savage' has moved in for the duration with his pack of Dobermans, his samurai swords and a large selection of sporting guns.
Oh my God
Everyone who's posted here! Put a roller skate on your stairs before you leave, so any intruder will fall parse over tit.
Aah.
I have a house-sitter - a friend who is "between locations" will be staying in Casa Malo and listening to loads of music as he passes the last 3 weeks in the UK before he relocates to Spain. He was vague on details of what exactly what he is going to do there.
If any burglars out there want to take on a 19 stone grumpy bastard, hell mend them!!
Seahouses in August, we have
Seahouses in August, we have gone every year for the last 6 but really enjoy it. Northumberland is probably my favourite part ot the UK (outside of Yorkshire obviously) as it's very 'unspoilt'. We may go for some winter sun at half-term but given the planned Disney holiday next year this is looking unlikely. Damn our modest income!
watch out
for roaming gunmen though....
Even Northumberland Police
Even Northumberland Police should have caught him by then, unless he disguises himself as a taxi driver?
Brittany self catering villa
We've got children and it is just a lovely place to be. One year we went via Disneyland Paris and I really enjoyed all of that but we bought food at the local supermarkets! Will stop on the way South to see friends and we will do the same on the way back. Not the same friends I'm not that selfish. We could possibly fly from Newcastle but Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth is part of the holiday by now. Two weeks of really not very much (including luxury) and we do know how lucky we are to be able to do it
Cookieboy you will enjoy Tokyo
was there last year. CD shops were hard to find although there is a very big HMV next to Shibuya station that was very good and the Tower records was okay too. Prices similar to UK.
If you are going to Kyoto let me know as there is a Steak house there that you really must go to. It is called Grill Miyaki - the owner speaks impeccable English, looks like Fu Manchu and told us his beef was so good because the cattle drank beer and listened to Mozart. Can't argue with him.
Kyoto is not on my agenda
although the steak house sounds inviting. I've wanted to go to Japan my whole life but cannot speak more than three words of Japanese. Once I get over my initial apprehension I'm sure I'll love it.
Kyoto
You really should try and get there even for a day, it's unbelievable. The highlight of my trip.
Paris,
Texas, on the way from San Antonio to Chicago. Starting Friday 16th, we go to San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Paris, Texarkana, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville, St Louis, Branson, Kansas City, Topeka, Omaha, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Dubuque, Milwaukee, Chicago, Gary. Home on 2 August - it's about 3400 miles. My mate and I have done virtually everywhere west of there (he's American).
Any tips on what not to miss in any of these places (apart from the obvious - we're going to Graceland, though neither of us is a fan) would be appreciated.
Jack Daniel's
distillery isn't far from Nashville. Top tour. Also the Bluebird in Nashville is a classic, and Douglas' Corner Cafe for little gigs - saw a terrific Joy Lynn White show there.
My tips
Austin: Try and catch a gig - that's what they do there!
Nashville: I've only been there once and that was nearly 20 years ago. Tootsies and the Orchid Lounge were great ways to spend a boozy Saturday afternoon and pretty much tourist free. The highlight however was the Ryman Auditorium tour, standing on the stage is possibly the most memorable thing I've done on any of my US trips, it still makes the hairs on the neck stand up just thinking about the fact that I've stood where Hank Williams stood.
Milwaukee: A bit ghoulish but that's where Otis Redding's plane came down, the lake is just down the hill from the centre of Downtown don't bother searching out the commemorative plaque though! Milwaukee is also one of the few places in the states that you can pick up a free print copy of The Onion, you might be lucky enough to find a couple of editions in the boxes around the streets.
Chicago: Just because it's a tourist trap don't even think of not standing in one of the glass boxes stuck on the side of the Willis Tower.
Memphis: When I went to Graceland, I didn't really know very much about Elvis Presley and consequently felt a little bit out of place on the tour. I'd read up about a few things before you go and you'll get more out of it.
All in all though, Texas is such a fantastic place with such friendly people that I'd stay there as long as possible although I imagine that in late July it'll be very very hot.
Austin
Go to Barton Springs...outdoor spring, freezing cold but Texas is very, very hot in summer so it will be a refreshing change.
Go here http://www.currasgrill.com/ and have an avocado margarita - trust me they are delicious.
Austin is very laidback.
Many thanks to all of you
Some good ideas there, most of which I won't be able to take up, unfortunately - our schedule is pretty tight. The food and drink options are the most use to us - we probably couldn't agree about music, as our tastes have diverged wildly over the years: he likes Country, and I like alt-Country. Our days in the car will be a constant battle of genres.
Thank you David
Now that you have wiped away the tears of laughter, I have a relative who lives in Austin, Texas and every night the bats come out for a bit of a super-swarm. Looks amazing.
Kansas City
Willie says "they've got some mighty pretty women there" and you need to get a jug of Kansas City wine.
In Austin
you can pay hommage to the late great Stevie Ray Vaughan at Lady Bird Lake (easy to get to).
Also well worth a visit is the JFK museum on the 6th Floor of teh Book Depository
http://www.jfk.org/go/about
Well presented, not at all cheesy and worth the extra $'s for the audio tour
Brooklyn, New York
Here right now on a work-play trip. Have stumbled into an absolutely insane heatwave! Looking forward to cooler climes back home in Berlin on the weekend. Happy travels, Massive!
Rural France
Old cottage, oak beams, lovely vino, hammock, fresh air, bikes, walking, peace and quiet, hammock, no tourists, big field for Frisby, did I mention the hammock?
Me too
apart from the frisbee field.
On my own for two full weeks ... no clients, no work, no people. I know, sounds odd, but rather idyllic really, and the blues festival in nearby Cahors is a bonus.
France for us too in August!
We have a house in the Limousin which even up until several years ago was called the "Black Country" as it was a forgotten area of France. Very rural, people greet you and the siesta is still observed and no shops are open on a Sunday.
We were told the area is described as the Lake District of France. I mistakenly thought this was because of the scenery. I now know it's because it rains a lot.
August can be either be very hot or as it did two years ago rain all the time.
Still its just great to get away no phones, no tv and no work. Just lots of music, reading and long liquid lunches outside.
Currently assembling my books to read and dvds to watch.
I forgot
...no telly, no computer, no internet, no phone, no mobile phone coverage (unless you drive)...ahhhhhhh
Ah, I have a TV
and season 5 of 'The Shield'.
No web = no fun
No phone or mobile sounds fine to me and I could do without television for a couple of weeks easily but when we book up anywhere these days it has to have broadband and it's a question of whether or not we're going to take a computer each or not.. it's no holiday for me if I spend the whole time in WWW cold turkey land.
Try it
Most relaxing. To be honest I do nip into Vendome tourist info for a look at this site on the 1euro for 10 mins PC. Which is quite enough. I spend all year in front of a screen.
Computers help me relax
I spend the rest of my year in front of a screen as well, at work and at home and as my computer use at home is mainly for leisure and relaxation it seems odd not make sure I have access to one when I'm on holiday. I've even taken a laptop on holiday before now to brush up on a bit of coding, away from the pressures of work when there are deadlines when it's hard to find the time to learn anything new.
New York
... and excited about it. Managed to track down a walking tour which offers "Check out famous sites like CBGB's and hear unbelievable true stories about The Ramones, New York Dolls, The Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Iggy Pop & more!"
Unless of course anyone has been and tells me it is a rip-off?
Hmmmm
In theory, it sounds great. The only thing that makes me slightly suspicious is that the wording seems to imply you'll get a tour of places like CBGB's... and actually CBGB's was demolished a few years back.
http://ny.racked.com/archives/2007/10/19/breaking_inside_the_cbgb_demol....
could be good
A friend of mine has just done a walking tour that sounds just like yours and she had a fantastic time.
I hope it's great (*yes, slightly jealous seeing as you ask, but, you know, it's not lost what a friend gets*)
thank you both
Hannah, I did wonder about the shut down bit, but I reckoned even getting to see the outside might be worthwhile; who knows.
And as for el hombre being jealous... not as much as me of your New York in Glasgow, University Union weekend back when - no chance of matching that:)
De nada
The walking tour is http://www.rockjunket.com/ - my friend had a great time, it came out about $30 a head, and the tour was tailored to bands they were interested in.
Have a great time!
All aboard for Ellan Vannin!
This year, the aged relatives (parents & sundry aunts, both Glaswegian & Islay contingents) are visiting me for the holidays - I don the metaphorical peaked cap & hire a small truck to do the sights, complete with running commentary.
Northern France
a week on the Somme and a week further East near Verdun. Just some general Great War related mooching about, some nice French cities, food, beer etc.........anyone know what the weather is like in Northern France in the first 2 weeks of August? I'm expecting something like Cornwall i.e. could piss down!
Just come back from Northern Scotland.
Will go again, the Summer Isles were particularly memorable. Shropshire in August and long w/e in Berlin September...
Lattitude
And looking forward to it!
(already had the annual holiday - a BOGOF in Egypt. Went for a week and stayed for 2, thanks to the ash cloud. Can we book it for next year?)
at long living last
...a holiday without any kids in tow for the the first time in 20 years. So we've got a nice little gite in the south of France not far from Cap d'Agde... which I'm disturbed to find has got the largest nudist beach in France. Mrs Stuninwolves and I will not frequent it -looking at my beer gut I don't I'll be allowed near it. So hopefully two weeks in the sun relaxing, eating, drinking, reading, having confusing conversations in my appaling French and not doing very much at all. We'll miss V too thank goodness - grim traffic problem in these here parts. I just hope the 17 and 20 y.o. left behind don't burn the place down.
I'm more excited about next year though... a week in Shetland and a week in the Scillies (not consecutive) birdwatching, fishing and drinking.
Devon
Based in Torquay for a week in late July. Me, FPO and two teenage daughters. Hope to mooch around the area a little but really looking forward to doing nothing except reading, drinking nice wine, relaxing, eating out, sleeping, & 'ipodding'. Stopping off at Worcester on the way down from Central Scotland too.
Albany
I'm off in a few days to Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival www.greyfoxbluegrass.com for which I have very high hopes. One thing I do know for sure, it's gonna be hot, damn hot!
After that the buddies and I are staying 2 nights in Woodstock, including seeing The Low Anthem at the Bearsville Theatre. Having come so far we'll find it hard to resist a Band stylee phot opportunity at Big Pink. Then to finish, 2 nights in the Big Apple. I can't wait!
Off to Blackpool soon fookin
Off to Blackpool soon fookin love
it might take in the krankies on the north pier.
Cottage near Tavistock
for a week in October, with the GLW and my parents; both in their 70s, but still able to walk much further than us. No internet for a week - heaven!
San Sebastian aka Donostia
The best place in the world
Azerbaijan
Managed to squeeze a week in leaving Sunday.
City visit..
5 days in Prague, supposed to be wonderful. 6 hours drive from here. And not bad prices apparently. Just hope it's not too hot.
And now I'm back
We had a great time, peace and quiet, beautiful air, seals honking in the bay, Laphroaig Distillery visit successfully completed for all of us, and we'll be back.
Photos here if anyone's interested
http://www.flickr.com/photos/elhombremalo/sets/72157624553876781/