Middle-Class Stress

It has been a wearing week and we are all assembled in the marital bed trying to muster energy for the morning. The Vicar announces that we need to decide on our summer holiday destination so that the prospect of relaxation can coax him through the parish toil. Tiredly I set down my tea and brace myself. The Vicar likes hot sun and piazza cafes; I like cool cloud and wilderness. The 11-year-old prioritises high-street shopping; the 9-year-old adjusts his preferences to whatever will curry favour with the Vicar and me and most provoke his sister.

Me (hoping for an easy life): 'I liked Cornwall last year.'
The Vicar: 'The sea's too cold in Cornwall and it will rain all week.'
Me (still hoping for an easy life): 'You liked the gite we had in Brittany this summer.'
The 11-year-old (rearing up from beneath the duvet): 'No, New York! Why have we always got to go to the same places?'
The Vicar: 'You've been to France twice in your life. I fancy a Greek island.'
The 11-year-old: 'No, New York! We've been to a Greek island. I need to explore new nations.'
Me: 'Some children never get any further than Yarmouth! Italy's nice and that would be a 'new nation'.'
The 11-year-old: 'All these countries are in Europe. I need to explore new continents.'
The 9-year-old: 'She means she wants to explore Forever 21.'
Me: 'I was your age when I first went on a plane.'
The 11-year-old: 'That was a different era. We live in new times and I need to go to New York.'
The 9-year-old (with fawning malice): 'Let's choose a holiday that involves lots of walking.'
The 11-year-old: 'You CANNOT expect me to walk on my holiday. What have you all got against New York?'
The Vicar: 'It gets very hot in summer and is very expensive to get to. I had a good holiday once in Turkey.'
The 11-year-old. 'TURKEY! You two are, like, so OCD.'
The 9-year-old (with fawning malice): 'Let's talk about Dad's beautiful legs!'
The Vicar: 'On second thoughts, it's too exhausting thinking about holidays. I'm going to get on with my sermon.'

Where can we go on holiday that is hot, cold and full of shops and wilderness? All suggestions gratefully received.





Comments

  1. Helen9 November 2013 at 17:38

    Well you can tell the 11year old that NYC would involve a LOT of walking.

    Otherwise how about Colorado?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron9 November 2013 at 17:48

      Walking doesn't count if it's in shopping malls! Colorado's hot, isn't?

      Delete
  2. Iota 9 November 2013 at 17:54

    Hot, cold, shops and wilderness...? Hm...? Aha! I have it. Essex!

    Thanks for your comment on my post xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron9 November 2013 at 17:59

      Inspired! We wouldn't even have to leave the vicarage.

      Delete
    2. Iota 10 November 2013 at 07:26

      I had no idea. I had you down as... not sure really, but not Essex. Do you think I might be psychic or something?

      Delete
    3. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron10 November 2013 at 08:07

      No, I think it's just that the Essex girl in me shines through my writing.

      Delete
  3. Heather10 November 2013 at 08:06

    I'd suggest Wales but that isn't hot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron10 November 2013 at 08:08

      I love Wales and we do visit for a day or two every summer, but more for my pleasure than the Vicar's.

      Delete
  4. thames_side10 November 2013 at 09:54

    How about Iceland. Pleasantly warm in the summer. Hot springs for those that like it hot. Miles and miles of wilderness with geysers, volcanoes and.waterfalls. Not famous for its shopping opportunities though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron10 November 2013 at 12:19

      Do you know, I've always fancied Iceland, but the Vicar is put off by the name!

      Delete
  5. Mac n' Janet10 November 2013 at 16:18

    How about Florida, hot, but lots of wilderness (the Everglades), lots of shopping, DisneyWorld, Universal City, history (St. Augustine the oldest city in America), beautiful beaches.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron10 November 2013 at 18:40

      Yes, the heat worries me, but the beaches and swamplands might make up for that. Good thought! If only we didn't have to do all our travelling in August!

      Delete
  6. Older Mum11 November 2013 at 18:50

    The Isle of Man!? That's a different continent isn't it!? ;o).

    Ps.... How is going to Turkey so OCD? X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron11 November 2013 at 20:15

      She's been there! I think the OCD was used by our Miss Malaprop to refer the the fact that we kept harping on about boring European countries!

      Delete
  7. Anonymous13 November 2013 at 12:10

    I came back to see if anyone had any good suggestions for you all. My impractical contribution is Dubai, where it is hot, there would be pavement cafes of a sort and lots of cool air conditioned shopping malls. And dunes for wilderness. And an indoor snow ski slope for more cold. And not Europe.
    Sounds absolutely horrible.

    More usefully, might you make Italy work. We had a great Easter break in Sorrento (shopping, pavement cafes) with ruins and Vesuvius (wild, cool) and swimming in the sea (wild, cool) and a trip to Naples would surely generate more shopping opportunities. But is Europe.

    On balance, I suggest you announce that you are going to Milton Keynes for a holiday and list the benefits. When this is not rapturously received, you proposed wherever YOU would really like to go. Any objections, back to Milton Keynes. :)
    -- Petronella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron15 November 2013 at 09:42

      Petronella, I might have known it was you! I shall never set foot on Dubai if I can help it. Sorrento yes, but preferably without the kids. Milton Keynes is the answer! Thank you!

      Delete
  8. Unknown17 November 2013 at 13:06

    Hi there, I wondered whether it be ok for me to add your blog to a list a my favourite blogs that I am adding to my own blog?

    http://living-in-an-expat-bubble.blogspot.com

    I really enjoy your blog...

    Have a nice Sunday,

    Ingrid Schmoutziguer (I also sometimes use my maiden name, which is Huibers)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Adventures of a Middle-aged Matron17 November 2013 at 16:12

      What a lovely compliment! Naturally I'd be thrilled. Thank you

      Delete

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