Tag Archives: Britain

Coastal Holidays, Holiday Junkie, Holidays, News, School Holidays, Summer Holidays, Travel

What’s on your Family Summer Holiday Wish List?

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Summer Wish ListAs the nights draw in, our thoughts have definitely turned to what we are going to do for our summer holiday next year. It’s always a challenge to find a holiday that will entertain and please all members of our family.

So far our plans have taken us right across Europe and back at least twice and yet we still can’t make a decision.  We are very tempted by the thought of the Swiss mountains, all that beautiful countryside, blue lakes and clear fresh air.  But then we would miss the beach, those rolling Atlantic waves have given us some of the happiest holiday memories. Or how about enjoy the wonderful diversity of Britain with a staycation.  Mmmmm, decisions decisions.

Where will next summer find you and your family?  Building sand castles on a sunny beach? Taking a stroll around a sparkling lake, or exploring the valley and village of the countryside?

It’s so difficult to choose which is why we started looking more closely at our wish list for the summer.

  1. Top of our list has to be some sunshine and warm weather
  2. We love water sports and fun so a beach or lake are essential
  3. Swimming pool also essential
  4. Plenty of entertainment to keep every one amused
  5. Somewhere driveable from the UK as we want to people able to explore the area when we get there (so that covers all of the UK and Europe)
  6. Internet access – ok, so not an essential but we do like to interact while we are away!
  7. Mossi free!  Life is too short for constantly applying mosquito repellent.

That’s our list so far, so what is on yours that we should consider?

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Apartments, Autumn Breaks, Cottage Break, Holiday Cottages, News, Norfolk, Self Catering, Short Break, Weekend Breaks

Official…It’s Now Autumn in Britain and Ireland

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Autumn holidays in the UK and irelandThis Saturday marks the official start of Autumn in Great Britain, marking the end of the summer and the start of the slow transition to winter.

Now although the passing of the summer is a little sad, it should be remembered that the Autumn in the UK is a fairly magical time of vibrant colours in the countryside, blue skies and crisp fresh air. And although we often feel short-changed by the lack of a hot summer it has to be said that we quite often get lucky with a bright and warm Autumn to make up for it.

It’s an excellent time to holiday or take a short break in Britain because the main tourist season is over, which pretty much guarantees you a more relaxing and peaceful time to explore the villages, towns, countryside and coast.

Of course, as there are less tourists at this time of year accommodation prices and availability are also considerably more pleasant, so you can holiday for longer for less.  Perfect 🙂  Here is a list of some excellent self catering cottages, apartments and holiday flats for an Autumn break in the UK and Ireland.

And, don’t forget if you are looking for a bargain this Autumn check out our extra discount for holiday cottages in Norfolk.

Attractions, Cheshire, Cumbria, Cycling Holidays, Days Out, Events, Family Days Out, Holiday Attractions, Kids Days Out, News, North West England, Scotland, Suffolk, Travel

Day Out at the Cycling Tour of Britain in September

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Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or just looking for a day out in September it is worth checking out the Tour of Britain, cycling’s premier road race in Britain.

In 2012 the event has attracted Team Sky with both Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish taking part, so its a great chance to see a current cycling World Champion, Tour de France winner and an Olympic gold medalist.

The 2012 Tour kicked off from Ipswich yesterday finishing at the Royal Norfolk Showground.  There were a number of crashes, one of which unfortunately  accounted for Mark Cavendish, but the stage saw a British winner in the form of Luke Wroe from Team Sky.

Here is what is in store over the next few days and where you can see some of the action.

The second stage today is from Nottingham to Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside passing through Cheshire’s Peak District.  So it will be taking in some wonderful British countryside and the Safari Park finishes promises some great excitement.

The third stage heads to Scotland, moving from Jedburgh to Dumfries and taking in Scotland’s stunning landscapes which provide the perfect backdrop to Britain’s biggest race and an undulating stage route.

Stage four is the half way point of the Tour of Britain and takes place in the North West of England from Carlisle and Penrith to Blackpool Promenade.

It is certainly an exciting few days in store, if you go along make sure you take some great pictures and how about posting some here or on our Facebook page.

Days Out, Events, Family Days Out, Kids Days Out, London, News, Olympics, Sporting Events

Celebrate a Wonderful Sporting Summer with Team GB at London Victory Parade

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What a wonderful sporting summer it has been in the UK, we have been truly spoilt with sporting excitement, drama and moments to fill you with pride.

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics have been simply AWESOME.  Not only for the outstanding performances, but for the Gamesmakers, the organisers, the crowds and the general buzz across the UK. We are hugely proud to be British and, as Lord Sebastian Coe said, London 2012 was ‘Made in Britain’.

Last night’s closing ceremony of the Paralympics was, as we have come to expect now, a polished entertaining spectacle that perfectly captured the mood and a firework ending that was jaw-dropping.

Sadly though the Closing Ceremony not only saw the end of the Paralympic Games but also the end of this wonderful summer of sport and I for one feel just a little deflated and sad this morning.  Britain being the centre of the World’s attention is something we have got to quite like!

However there is one last chance to look back and celebrate this wonderful summer of sports with all our sporting heroes in Team GB at today’s London Team GB Victory Parade.  Its starts at the Mansion House in central London from 1.30pm.

The parade of 21 floats will pass St Paul’s Cathedral and Trafalgar Square, where there’ll be a big screen at the base of Nelson’s Column along with live commentary. Each float will carry around 40 athletes arranged by sport. The parade is expected to take up to 13 minutes to pass any given point.

If you are going we would love to see some pictures.

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Half Term Holidays, Holiday Junkie, Holidays, News, Summer Holidays, Travel

Arghhh… Holidays are Over and Now I have to Go to Work, how is a Holiday Junkie to cope?

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Whether we were toasting ourselves in the glorious sunshine or dodging the odd rain cloud, we loved our summer holidays. But as we head in to September we have to bow to the inevitable that is returning to work.

We spend way to long thinking about holidays, writing about them and enjoying them, to take going back to work lightly.  It is, after all, simply the worst feeling and a black cloud will sit over me at my desk for quite some time 😦

So how do you get over the post holiday blues?

Some people look forward to catching up with work buddies or trying to make them envious with their holiday tales and photos.  That doesn’t really work for me, it just reminds me of what I am missing.  Clearly I am some form of holiday junky that can only get by with his next holiday fix.

So I take refuge in something even better, PLANNING MY NEXT HOLIDAY.  OK, so it almost certainly isn’t the best use of business time and resources.  But, surely if it helps me recover from post holiday depression quicker then it’s actually a good for the company? It may even save them money as I will be less inclined to take a sickie!  May be holiday Internet surfing should actually be prescribed on the NHS for us holiday junkies?

Planning a weekend break, short break or even the October Half Term holiday all forms a helpful healing process, that while not curing my sadness at the holidays ending, does at least help me move on and give me something else to focus on.

So that’s how I get through it, but what works for you?

Author: Holiday Junkie