SKI-er or Sk-ater. We know how to enjoy ourselves

seven-day-weekend

tanith wrote: »

I love that part of the coast, my sister lives near Saundersfoot and fingers crossed we should get down there this Summer , we'll be B & B though my sister doesn't ever offer to put us up even though she probably could, we found a lovely place that has horses,goats,sheep and lots of dogs its so pretty.

We love it too and know it well. My American cousin and her husband are coming, also we are meeting up with my Norfolk cousin and her husband. This is the third time we have all met up for a holiday.

The first time we were mainly in Norwich (where most of my parents' families live, they were both from Norwich) because my American cousin wanted to meet her mother's family.

The second time we all went to Bath and showed them Stonehenge and the Cotswolds.

This time the American cousin's husband wanted to go to Wales so we thought we would show them South Pembrokeshire. We have rented a large house in Stepaside, walking distance from Saundersfoot. I think they will like it.

One logistical problem is getting the Americans from Heathrow to Pembrokeshire. I'm hoping the Norfolk cousins can pick them up on the way!

Goldiegirl

We came back from a cruise last Saturday, which we enjoyed.

We have a 4 day cruise booked for September, but nothing else until next February, when we have a 35 day cruise booked:eek:

We've been away for 24 days before, and it was fine..... But 35 nights is a long time

I feel slightly nervous about being away for so long, but if we want to see all these places we have to do this sort of thing!

Mint1955

Where did you visit GG? Seems you have things to look forward to though. Never fancied a cruise myself, I like peace and quiet and they seem far too busy for me.

ibizafan_2

We are going on a tour of Patagonia in October, which also takes in Buenos Aires and Santiago, and which will involve spending a shed load of kids' inheritance. Also booked up a cruise to do the Northern Lights in Feb 2016, which my OH has always wanted to do. We've decided to do a big trip every year while we're still in our early 60's. Canada and American National Parks are also on the agenda. My sons have told me to spend my money, so I'm going to take them at their word!

pollypenny

Patagonia is on our bucket list.

We want to visit the Welsh settlements amongst other places.

ibizafan_2

Ever since I read the Paul Theroux travel book which includes Patagonia, I've wanted to go and see for myself. The Welsh community is a fascinating part of it. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Goldiegirl

Mint1955 wrote: »

Where did you visit GG? Seems you have things to look forward to though. Never fancied a cruise myself, I like peace and quiet and they seem far too busy for me.

This time we went to the Mediterranean.


With cruises, you can be as active or as peaceful as you want, just depends what ship you go on and where you are going


This time it was a big ship so it was active with lots of people around.


But when we go on the 35 night cruise, it'll be a smaller ship so it'll be quieter. Also, as we are going to the Caribbean and sourthern USA there'll be 8 sea days there and back from Southampton, so there'll be lots of peaceful sea days mid-Atlantic! But once we hit the ports especially in the USA it'll get busy then, as there'll be lots to see

margaretclare

We're looking forward to our next 'big trip' away - it may be the last time we're ever able to do this, who knows.

End of May, we're going to Passau on the Danube (Donau) and 2 other rivers. It's one of those iconic places I wanted to see on my 'bucket list'. I've been learning German. Yes, I know they all speak English, but...

We're driving. Or rather DH is driving. I can't share the driving because he can't get into the passenger seat - his L knee won't bend far enough. We never drive more than about 200 miles a day - we take it at a civilised pace and enjoy all that we see on the way.

One of the main things we enjoy about foreign travel is the opportunity to speak the language and eat the food of wherever we're going. We like to stop when we like, eat when/where we like, take it all at our own pace. This really puts out of court things like coach travel, cruises, even river cruises. Each to their own. Also, our inability to walk far really limits us. So, we do what we can. I never got to see the new Bear Park in Bern last year because it was just too far to walk. I know that if we did a river cruise to Passau there is a day's walking tour included, but we couldn't do it. I know someone who did it. She told me that most of the other passengers went back to the ship for lunch 'because they'd already paid for it' but she and her husband went to a local restaurant, of which there are many. I've learned how to read a menu and order a meal in German! There's also an organ concert every week in the Dom (cathedral) which is said to be marvellous. DH will enjoy that.

I've also been told that, for my 80th birthday, we're going to Lulworth Cove, on the Jurassic Coast, something else on my 'bucket list'. That will be later, in August.

We're spending 4 nights in Passau then coming back via Friedrichshaven - hope to see some friends who live near there. Then back through France - Nancy and Reims. Again, wonderful iconic places to see. I just wish I could see some of the World Heritage sites in the Middle East before they get knocked into dust by those unspeakable vandals. I wanted to walk the Way of the Cross in Jerusalem, but some things are no longer possible for me.

margaretclare

Nearly time for us to go away on holiday, end of this week. In the meantime, since the changes this April, I've cashed-in my SIPP with Hargreaves Lansdown. I can't avoid paying tax on it at BR because all my other personal tax allowances are used up with my annuity payments. However, there'll be just over £5K for me. £3K will go straight back into my S&S ISA and will hopefully continue to grow. Approx £1K is my share of our holiday and the rest, just one more small job that needs doing at home, part of a concrete path that missed getting done last year.

DH gets almost as much pleasure from doing all the planning and booking ahead as he does from actually going. Just this morning he discovered that the first night he'd booked for us to stay was at a Best Western near Liege, Belgium, and looking at comments in TripAdvisor, it appears that it's a 'hub' for coach holidays to the Continent. Oh no! We've experienced this before, when 2 coach-loads all arrive together or all want breakfast at the same time. He's managed to re-book in a smaller hotel near Maastricht, much more our kind of thing.

I'm having a big sort-out of clothes - have gone mad a bit with M&S online sale and Lands End sale. Need to be comfortable when sitting in the car for long periods at a time. Lands End do some very comfortable trousers and what they call 'crops' are my normal length! Our vicar's wife is collecting spare clothes for a charity she supports, and I've already given her 2 large bags full.

The second night we're staying in a small hotel near Wertheim, Germany. Ich kann eine bischen Deutsch heutzutage sprechen! I can now speak a bit of German.

Then to Passau for 4 nights. 2 things to do: boat trip on the Danu (Danube) and visit the cathedral - der Dom - which has a world-famous organ and weekly organ concerts.

We don't know how long we'll be able to do this type of holiday with a lot of independent travelling, but we don't like the other kinds of holidays which are often recommended to us as 'suitable for your age'.

I've told DH that if it ever comes round that I need a care home, use the money I'm saving for as long as it lasts. It has all been money I saved since I stopped working and started investing in the stock market. I'm amazed by how much it has grown.

pollypenny

Sounds great, MC.

Our China trip is getting closer, too, and even OH is getting a bit excited.

We are off to the USA to babysit a fortnight after we return. No point in doing hanging baskets this year. However, I couldn't resist the diasias for a little basket in the porch. Job for this afternoon, after I've washed the kitchen floor.