Today is Thursday 25th June, so this is almost my Mum’s happy birthday blog post. Tomorrow, I am off to Mongolia (much more on this to come) so I thought I should fill you in as it has been SO LONG since my last holiday – well, not really, but at least 5 months since a big holiday.
Firstly, in recognition of my Intrepid loyalty (I think) and another delightful trip, they sent me some branded goodies which I have been using with pride. I would rather go back to the every 10th trip being free, but still nice.
I spent Easter with the old people first working from Alicante in their house (bless my current employer and its work from anywhere policy) and then a long weekend in Granada. I have previously visited, but it was one of Mum’s wish lists to see the Alhambra, and Keith selflessly agreed to drive the 4 hours to/from their house. We had a delightful couple of days – saw many of the semana santa parades (Spanish Catholism is interesting), quite a lot of walking uphll in the heat and a private tour of the Alhambra. I can not understand why this has not made it on the list of wonders of the world …
For the May Bank Holiday, I decided to have a nice little UK holiday and drove myself up to the Lake District. Well, that was silly. No problems on the drive up (other than running out of battery/navigation on my phone and stopping at a helpful carvan park for directions and a charge – lovely people), fantastic B&B and a morning wandering around Hill Top which is Beatrix Potter’s house and somewhere I have wanted to visit for years. However, on a scenic drive (it really is beautiful), I got a flat tire. Disaster ensued. No spare tyre, no air provided, Sixt no help at all (no tyres in the vicinity – we can take you to Manchester aiport 3 hours away to get a replacement). I spent 6 hours on a car park, car was towed and they washed their hands of me. I am still in dispute with them having demanded a refund of unused hire fee, the taxi to the nearest station, train ticket to London (which was then delayed by 4 hours) and the missed nights accomodation. They have offered the price of the taxi and £50 off my next hire. Apparently, this was not a joke offer. The fight continues…
In May I took advantage of Eurovision being in Austria, and we (with the brother) managed to get tickets to one of the filmed final rehersals. We had a wonderful time, if only the weather had been a little better (but as I am writing this in the midst of the UK heatwave, here is something to be said for cooler temperatures).
I have also managed a couple of day trips to Norfolk – its beautiful and very close to London, who knew?
And that’s it, so although it has been MONTHS since I have had a holiday, I do manage to fit a few things in alongside working for a living. Oh, I am also nearly finished with the Four Seasons Cross Stitch panels – Autumn is coming with me to Mongolia.
Travels with Kathryn 