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[CLKD]

Usually it works ........ partly 'cos I'm nosey  !  But for me it's like having a geography lesson without leaving our shores, nor do I require a Passport 

[DaisyB]

I've just driven back through the Leith Docks part of Edinburgh, past lots of of holiday-makers from the cruise ship that's in dock at the moment.  It's fun to think about what nationalities they are, where they've been, where the ship's going on to, etc.  I'm also wondering if any of them managed to avoid the short, sharp shower that the heavy, dark sky turned into just after I reached our front door!     This must be about the third cruise ship that's been in dock since our failed attempt at an Irish holiday a few weeks ago - it almost makes me feel like a holiday-maker myself!   It also makes me feel proud to be an Edinburger and happy to see our visitors.  So, if anyone on here is from that cruise ship, welcome to Edinburgh!   

whatever happened in Ireland Dulciana?? I travelled from the North to Connemara a few weeks back bit of a wash out but we had a ball😀

[dulciana]

Well, DaisyB..................we were aiming to explore villages on the west coast of Ireland!
We set off from Edinburgh nice and early, aiming for the 1pm ferry from Stranraer.  All was well until about 50 miles into the journey, when I began to hear strange sloshing noises.  It wasn't raining and I was puzzled.  After a while, a notice came up on the dashboard, saying, "Engine overheating.  Stop now."  So we stopped and Hubby called for assistance.  To cut a long story short, eventually help arrived and the man informed us that our radiator had leaked all its contents on to the road and that we would have to get the car to a garage.  He left and we then had to wait over two hours before the recovery vehicle turned up.  (In the meantime, we had bought sandwiches from a little local cafe and were also allowed to use their staff loo when they heard what had happened to us!)  Eventually, the recovery vehicle turned up and we were taken back to Edinburgh with our car on the back.  We then had the car ride from hell - the driver told us he had been up late the night before and then up early that morning and he kept telling us he was shattered.  He drove at around 85 mph virtually all the way back down the motorway, in the outside lane, with his hands mostly down at the bottom of the steering wheel and with his window open and the radio on, presumably to help him wake up!!   Cars that had been in front of him just had to get out of his way.  I was sitting in between him and Hubby.  I was absolutely terrified, kept my eyes shut and prayed hard!    We (somehow!) got back to Edinburgh in one piece, he  got us to the garage and then he drove away.  More long story short - the garage told us the car needed a new radiator, so we left the car with them, enjoyed an Italian meal out that night, hired a car the next day and managed to get four very nice days in Dunkeld, in which we r-e-l-a-x-e-d..............    Maybe we'll get to Ireland next year!

[DaisyB]

Well, DaisyB..................we were aiming to explore villages on the west coast of Ireland!
We set off from Edinburgh nice and early, aiming for the 1pm ferry from Stranraer.  All was well until about 50 miles into the journey, when I began to hear strange sloshing noises.  It wasn't raining and I was puzzled.  After a while, a notice came up on the dashboard, saying, "Engine overheating.  Stop now."  So we stopped and Hubby called for assistance.  To cut a long story short, eventually help arrived and the man informed us that our radiator had leaked all its contents on to the road and that we would have to get the car to a garage.  He left and we then had to wait over two hours before the recovery vehicle turned up.  (In the meantime, we had bought sandwiches from a little local cafe and were also allowed to use their staff loo when they heard what had happened to us!)  Eventually, the recovery vehicle turned up and we were taken back to Edinburgh with our car on the back.  We then had the car ride from hell - the driver told us he had been up late the night before and then up early that morning and he kept telling us he was shattered.  He drove at around 85 mph virtually all the way back down the motorway, in the outside lane, with his hands mostly down at the bottom of the steering wheel and with his window open and the radio on, presumably to help him wake up!!   Cars that had been in front of him just had to get out of his way.  I was sitting in between him and Hubby.  I was absolutely terrified, kept my eyes shut and prayed hard!    We (somehow!) got back to Edinburgh in one piece, he  got us to the garage and then he drove away.  More long story short - the garage told us the car needed a new radiator, so we left the car with them, enjoyed an Italian meal out that night, hired a car the next day and managed to get four very nice days in Dunkeld, in which we r-e-l-a-x-e-d..............    Maybe we'll get to Ireland next year!

my goodness Dulciana that is a story and a half!! At least you got to salvage something😉 This time I stayed in Connemara that is my favourite part - rained most days but we loved it. Hopefully you'll get to see it next year!

[dulciana]

Thanks DaisyB! 

[CaroleM]

The last 2 weeks of September will see us having days out and not making any plans in advance.  The only 3 days when we  have to honour commitments are fine. Two to see DH's parents and my Mum and the 3rd is a day in Bristol.

With 8 pets, 4 each of cats and hens, we cannot go away.  The cats are fussy and the hens are twice as bad!  FIL used to cat sit, but he no longer drives and the hens would be one step too far for him, in case anything happened.  He panicked when he first cat sat.  He and MIL had been out and decided to feed Thomas, who was our only cat (at that time) his tea before going home.  MIL stayed in car.  Apparently he came out in a terrible state saying " I've lost her cat.  Thomas isn't here".  MIL said that he must be indoors.  In both went.  Hunted everywhere.  MIL asked what the duvet was turned over for.  FIL, no idea, maybe we'd left it that way.  MIL pokes duvet.  Duvet MEOWED LOUDLY!  Thomas found.  FIL mightily relieved

[dulciana]

I bet he was, Brighteyes!  There's nothing quite like cats..........!

[dazned]

Booked 10days holiday to Menorca 1st October ! 🌞🌞  hopefully ! 😁

[CLKD]

Packed yet  ?

[walkingthedog]

Hopefully will drop son at university early September (assuming passes exams) and hope you continue on a tour and actually meet another menopause matters member 🙂

[dulciana]

Mind if I have a moan first, then pick people's brains?   

Various close family members are/have been on holiday to xyz destinations this year, having a lovely time all round.  We, on the other hand, didn't get to where we had planned to go because of the car breaking down, totally scuppering our plans, time-and-money-wise.   I really needed that holiday and although we were able to hire a car and at least get out of town, it wasn't enough and I now feel thwarted and fed up.

Hubby's been asking me where I would like to go next year, if we can manage something.  Through this emotional fug, however, I simply can't think where this would be - although cities, culture, scenery etc. would probably feature, as long as the cost wasn't prohibitive.  (The only thing that doesn't attract me at all is the "sun-sea-and-sand" type of holiday.) 

I was wondering if anybody here could recommend anywhere they've been?  I'm not trying to be nosey - I'm just looking for some encouragement and the chance to dream/plan etc.....Thanks, ladies!     

[CaroleM]

Dulciana, have you considered the Scottish Highlands? Just remember that May is the midge season.

Brighteyes

[dulciana]

Dulciana, have you considered the Scottish Highlands? Just remember that May is the midge season.

Brighteyes

Thanks Brighteyes - in fact, living in Scotland, we've been to the Highlands more times than we've had hot dinners.  I agree, though, they're pretty unbeatable and I can smell the peat and smoke houses now!   Hoping to get to the West of Ireland a few weeks ago, we were looking for something similar in a place we hadn't been to before - and it may not even have a midge problem!   

[dulciana]

Check out Riviera Travel. We usually go with them. They do everything from short breaks to long tours. Can be pricey sometimes but no hidden extras. Have never had a bad holiday with them.

Thanks Breeze.  Will take a look.



Just took a look.  Wow.  Dream time!

[Two hoots]

I do enjoy a cruise, once I have a unpacked I can look forward to good food the occasional  cocktail 
I find it very relaxing and enjoy the visiting a new port every day. The ships are like grand hotels not at all like ferries 

Some of my favourite land based holiday destinations are Bruges, Normandy and Brittany and in the uk I love the Cotswolds. Being welsh of course anywhere in Wales, where the sun always shines 

I don't like flying so I can't recommend anywhere that involves a flight.

Next year I've been looking at the possibility of driving to the south of France and then getting the ferry to Corsica, we had a day in Ajaccio on a cruise a few years ago and loved the small part of the island we saw so I'm doing my research into next years holiday as well