How essential are holidays?

treliac

Generali wrote: »

I went to France with a veggie mate. He lived off green salad and oeufs sur plat.

Yeah, omelette, chips and salad about does it for me. In Spain DH gets by on spanish omelette rolls - too stodgy for me. In one late night service area, my evening meal consisted of a glass of red wine and a kit kat.

PasturesNew

That bird ... I confused wageslave with .... was .... sjaypink

Solved.

chucknorris

treliac wrote: »

Hi chuck

We went, for the experience, because we had a promotional offer. We took the short break option and stayed at one of the hotels they can arrange (the lovely Gran Hotel Victoria). Hired a car for a day and enjoyed the region very much. It's not a typical Brit holiday place and that was even more enjoyable! We learnt a few phrases and got by okay. On board we met some people who used it to access their holiday in the south of France. The joy is that you can take your car with you if you wish.

As far as the ship went - it was a very good experience. There's a variety of eating options. The return journey was much smoother and we enjoyed a really good meal in the best restaurant, which was on a par with a good land-based restaurant.

There was lots to do and, although it was high season busy, there were plenty of quiet areas to find. We had a cabin on the same level and close to the main bar and entertainment area. I was worried that it might be noisy but, once inside, it was tranquil and peaceful. We travelled basic class but had an outside cabin. I didn't want to be without a view! The cabin was small but clean and functional and it was only one overnight each way.

The entertainment was lively and fun and in the main bar area. I believe there were 3 or 4 entertainers who were chatting and singing, which was perfectly acceptable though we didn't spend much time there. I have to confess also to a half hour of bingo - just to fill in some time I must point out. I did spend a fair bit of time mooching around the shopping area though. Someone played the piano close to the top end restaurant. All in all it was well and tastefully done, I felt. We didn't go to the cinema and I'm sure we didn't visit everywhere else either. It's a pretty big place to get round.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Haven't travelled by ferry to Calais for a good few years, since the tunnel opened, but The Pont Aven is in a completely different class of comfort. There again, I haven't had a luxury cruise either but I've certainly got the hots for one now.

I did the virtual tour before we went and, I have to say, I was not disappointed. It definitely wasn't roughing it by any stretch. From what you have said, I should think you would enjoy yourselves too.

Note to Brittany Ferries - I'm open to commission for advertising write-ups. :cool:

Thanks, I was hoping that you might say something like that, although for us it is 'transport' rather than an essential part of the holiday, it's obviously better again if it can become an enjoyable part of our journey to Southern Spain. Certainly better than driving all the way which does not appeal at all. As you say it's great if you can take the car (plus all that goes with it ie the dog, bikes etc etc.)

Stay_tonight_in_a_lie

PasturesNew wrote: »

That bird ... I confused wageslave with .... was .... sjaypink

Solved.

Yeah they are very similar Pn !! Sjaypink's gonna love you for comparing her with mse's own Randle McMurphy.

vivatifosi

Morning all! In answer to the question, yes, holidays are essential. However I do think that they should be proportionate to your budget. Anyone can afford to get a tent and go walking for a few days.

Anyhow, forgive me if I'm not posting much at the moment, but I'm on mine right now, so signing off for another week or so.

PS: who is Randle McMurphy?

ninky_2

lostinrates wrote: »

Winning he lottery would enable me to return to work myself more easily and become an employer, thereby improving other lives too by being a good fair employer. I wouldn't hesitate. I'd love to be disgustingly rich, but I wouldn't sit on it, I'd make it work by allowing other people to earn and acheive something. DH and I have discussed this. He says he's work too, as much as anything for brain fitness, but he'd work in a different way....he'd me very less worried about career progression and consider working in a primarily pro bono role, preferably part time. I wouldn't say DH ''adores'' his job though.

here's where i differ. i think if you are doing something for interest not money then it can't really be classed as work - it's more of a hobby as you are free to give it up any time you want to. plus, as the boss of your new hobby job you don't have to answer to anyone (not even the bank manager as you have other funding).

when i started out as a freelancer i'd have long gaps between contracts but my brain was more active than when i was working. likewise when i have spent time travelling (effectively a long holiday without the nice towels!) i find not working lets you think more (deeply at least) than working. i'd always have projects and ideas on the go, read more, experience more. so i don't really agree with the brain fitness thing.

i think we are using 'work' to describe things that i would really see as leisure. volunteering and charity are exactly the sort of things that wage slavery impedes.

lostinrates

ninky wrote: »

here's where i differ. i think if you are doing something for interest not money then it can't really be classed as work - it's more of a hobby as you are free to give it up any time you want to. plus, as the boss of your new hobby job you don't have to answer to anyone (not even the bank manager as you have other funding).

when i started out as a freelancer i'd have long gaps between contracts but my brain was more active than when i was working. likewise when i have spent time travelling (effectively a long holiday without the nice towels!) i find not working lets you think more (deeply at least) than working. i'd always have projects and ideas on the go, read more, experience more. so i don't really agree with the brain fitness thing.

i think we are using 'work' to describe things that i would really see as leisure. volunteering and charity are exactly the sort of things that wage slavery impedes.

I think thats a valid and intelligent P.o.V. but I don't fully agree.

Is the head of a large banker working? he could afford not to before being at the top, and probably enjoys the greater part of his work. I'd say he's working. Although, my P.o.V is not so disimilar, in fact in a circumnavigatory way I said the inverse of this on another thread here today

While it would be possible, financially, and practically to ''just do nothing'' if an employer, I'm not sure t would be moral, once people were ''dependant'' on their incomes from the work you had created.

I suppose my interpretation was less...well developed and more on an elaboration of the scientific interpreation of ''work'' put into an employment setting. work being a chnge in energy and resultant, in this scenario of a transfer of money.

For some people workis anything that involves hinking/timetabling/commitment/as well as money I suppose.:)

kriss_boy

wageslave wrote: »

I hate holidays.

From the minute I arrive, I start counting the days until I can go home. I can manage a week maximum and then I start going a bit strange(r).

I have loads of friends who couldn't live without their holidays though. For them their fortnight in a sunny location is non-negotiable.

Each to their own.

Urgh- We are going to Australia next week!

Sure Im really excited but if it wasnt for the other half begging me for us to go then Id happily just hole up in the house for the remainder of this year and next till things get a bit better with the economy.

My brain screamed at me not to spend the best part of £5000 on a holiday but my heart told me to keep the girlfriend happy and do this.

Its only money eh

treliac

vivatifosi wrote: »

Morning all! In answer to the question, yes, holidays are essential. However I do think that they should be proportionate to your budget. Anyone can afford to get a tent and go walking for a few days.

Enjoy, viva!!

You've clearly lost all sense of time - you posted in the afternoon. :rotfl:

Edit: Of course, you may be in a different time zone?
.

treliac

kriss_boy wrote: »

Urgh- We are going to Australia next week!

Sure Im really excited but if it wasnt for the other half begging me for us to go then Id happily just hole up in the house for the remainder of this year and next till things get a bit better with the economy.

My brain screamed at me not to spend the best part of £5000 on a holiday but my heart told me to keep the girlfriend happy and do this.

Its only money eh

Ah, you kind and loving soul.

Glad you can afford to please her and hope you have a great time. :cool: