Holidays of My Childhood

There is a lot of confusion at the moment whether we will be able to take our holidays overseas this year or if we should remain in the UK for our summer breaks. I have been thinking a lot about the holidays of my childhood, although we did travel to Spain in the mid- seventies,( as package holidays were becoming more affordable) I remember going on holiday to Blackpool and caravanning in Flamborough Head (known for its picturesque lighthouse) as a child in more detail. Based in Yorkshire my family often had day trips to Scarborough, Bridlington and Whitby.

As you work your way south along the Yorkshire coast, Bridlington is the last of the four great resort towns after Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. It’s been in use as a port from prehistoric times and has been an important port for fishing ( and for collecting shellfish) since its earliest days and has a huge wealth of history that tends to be forgotten. Bridlington came into its own as a seaside resort in the Victorian era. In the main because of the recently completed railway links from Hull, Scarborough and York. Many of the Victorian buildings along the promenades still remain, most converted into hotels and guest houses although not quite as smart they were and some have seen better days, but still having a jaded grandeur like many of the UK seaside resorts. The North Promenade has lost none of its charm, both perfect for a stroll, watching the fun on the beach below or enjoying the view out to sea. I can still imagine Victorians and Edwardians going for a stroll in their best clothes and taking in the clean, salty air.

 I remember the amusement arcades, bingo, donkey rides,sandcastles on the beach, traditional seafront of souvenir and sweet shops, fun fairs and fresh fish shops boasting some of the finest local catches. The harbour was great. At the top of those steps, you could smell the fish along the harbour and in the gift shops like the lovely shell shop. Small boats could take you on a mini- tour. The food stalls sold, fish and chips, waffles, lemon topped ice cream's, doughnuts, seaside rock and candyfloss, washed down with pop and Horlicks or hot chocolate to warm up. My siblings and I were often ill on the car journey home. The bracing weather, left you windswept but invigorated, we talk about blowing off the cobwebs, a fitting description of an English seaside holiday. The seagulls were (and are still) fierce in attacking careless holiday- makers who lost their meals to the sky diving birds. The boating lake and neat gardens, the mini- golf, the spa, which all seemed very grand to me as a child,with my love of history. 

As an adult, not much has really changed since I was a child, now we are in the age of package holidays and it’s cheaper or was cheaper to spend a fortnight in sun-kissed Spain with its all-inclusive incentives that spend a week on the Yorkshire coast with the prospect of rain and wind rather than sun. However, it’s a great place for families seeking a traditional seaside holiday with its long wide beaches, the old market town and Bridlington quay, the harbour, the amusements and the revamped Spa offering live entertainment.

In the 1970's and 1980's, Driffield Day free coach outings to Bridlington were popular in bringing holiday makers and in 2019 this was relaunched to offer free coach travel from Sheffield, to encourage visitors back to the town.

Bridlington has been a popular tourist destination since Victorian times and perhaps as we start to look at what’s on our doorstep rather than flying off to the sun, its forgotten charms will be remembered and enjoyed once more.  

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A New Life in the Sun

As most of us are housebound and rather unlikely to be flying off to warmer climes anytime soon, we are all looking for a bit of escapism! One of my secret pleasures is watching A New Life in the Sun on channel 4.  As I usually work, I only get to watch it once a week, now I am getting to see the whole weeks episodes. This series follows expats as they follow their dreams of setting up new lives and businesses (in the sun) it started in 2016 by the production company, True North, it’s now on series six.  Despite the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, hundreds of enterprising Brits still continue to pursue their dreams of a new life overseas, even with the increasing obstacles. Spain ranks as the best place in Europe for expats wanting to enjoy a new life.

This is not that show where people find dream homes in Europe. And while we daytime viewers often daydream about spending our lives sipping wine on a sunny terrace, particularly on cold winter days. It’s a much more realistic documentary series, following Brits as they set up new businesses in mostly Spain and France. We see them through the highs and the lows. Some are starting B&Bs, while others are setting up a restaurant, yoga retreats, microbrewery, or a fishing boat charter business. There’s not a lot of time to relax as many discover! After renovating their properties, dealing with a whole array of problems from bureaucratic hold-ups and demanding customers. But in most cases, they insist that life is better than ever after taking the plunge, thanks to their businesses thriving, a better work-life balance and much more clement weather.

Any dramatic life change, especially one involving uprooting and adapting to a new culture, will have highs and lows, so it’s really interesting to see how tough (or easy) it is for them to start afresh abroad. I am always quite shocked at how many give up every thing to start a new life with limited cash resources, no knowledge of the business they are running and no ability to speak the language of their new country, I don’t know if I find this stupid, brave or a mix of the two. However, many advance preparations are made, there will be always be an element of risk in moving abroad, and I guess that its this willingness to call on a certain degree of open-mindedness, flexibility, and sense of humour that are vital ingredients in making a successful go of it.

I spent some time working in Spain and met some English, Germans and Americans who were living and working overseas. It was a great experience and one I would not have missed, but at times it was really hard. You don’t always have the things you take for granted, like drinking water, hot water, mains electricity, phone lines, the internet and local shops. Just popping out for milk is completely different when it’s a forty-minute drive to the nearest shop. Living in the  rural countryside in Spain can be harsh and isolating. (With no local public travel in some areas)  As for the weather, well its not always lovely and sunny, in fact it can get very cold in the winter, even in spring, up to May it can be warm in the day but very cold at night. And it does rain, the worst rain I have ever seen was in Madrid, the sunny city in April and Southern Spain in early September.

I found on my travels that some British people who move to Spain like to live in some kind of insulated English bubble only mixing with other Brits. I think, it’s not a wise move to not meet with the locals, who will go out of the way in most cases to welcome you and offer assistance. Many expat areas in Spain are hotbeds of bitchy gossips, silly arguments and over- drinking, as they often have lots of time on their hands and little to do. It’s a circle that you can end up being very unhappy in and you will not experience what life in Spain is really like. Learning to speak Spanish and offering to teach English, finding out how to cook the local dishes and going to the local fiestas, is a great way to spent any free time and embrace the culture.

If you are wanting to take the plunge and feel like showing the world your journey on the way then contacts: True North at  www.truenorth.tv. They produce the long-running series follows brits across Europe as they embark on their new adventures, and are looking for new businesses being set up: anything from bars, glamping, water and adventure sports to vineyards. Anything really!

Evidence shows too that if someone has worked abroad once, they are more likely to do so again. There is a kind of psychological make-up which enjoys an exciting nomadic lifestyle, and that probably never goes away. My grandfather always called me a nomad, whether I am or not, I don’t know but I do know I still have the traveling bug and hope I always do!

An Evening of Art and Culture

 

When we go on our holidays it's all to easy to sit by the swimming pool or on the beach, never really venturing out very much beyond the nearest bar. Now whilst I fully understand that most of the time you want and need a relaxing break and to get a bit of sun, which doesn’t always happen in the UK. But you know many resorts have a huge selection of art galleries and museums to visit. At some parts of the day or on certain days of the week these can be free to visit or have a reduced entry cost.  Even if you had not planned on fitting some Art and Culture into your holiday, if you do make the effort to do this you will be in for a big reward. On Sunday afternoons and evening many of the leading galleries can be free. The most popular ones can have big queues, so see if you can pre-book or arrive early. One of my favourite art galleries also has a great bar with sea-views perfect for relaxing afterwards so you can have the best of both worlds.

If you do a bit of research before you go away, you will be surprised at how much there is to do and there really is something for every taste. One of my favourite events is the Nit de l'Art in Mallorca, hosted every year in the middle of September. This is Mallorca's Mediterranean version of the Nuit Blanche concept, which originated in Paris and many cities worldwide celebrate.

In Palma, for only one night a year, many of the art galleries and museums join together to celebrate the autumn arts and culture season and the inauguration of their exhibitions by transforming the city's historic old town into a treasure trove for art lovers on Saturday night. The event started in a small way in 1997 and has grown and grown ever since. Here's what they say about it;

La Nit de L'Art is a unique event which fuses the characteristic spirit of the traditional Spanish fiestas (where people of all ages get together in public squares and picturesque streets) to celebrate, the eclectic buzz of gallery openings and the excitement of a treasure hunt mapped out within the medieval walls of one of the most beautiful historic enclaves of the Mediterranean. Throughout a single evening, the historic quarter is taken over by the art world, with tens of thousands of visitors spilling out onto the pedestrian streets and alleyways to explore some of the most exciting exhibitions, performances and installations of the year.

If this is of interest to you can download a full programme with maps of all the galleries and museums taking part by clicking the link from the website. All the main museums and galleries take part; Solleric, Baluard, Miro, Misericordia, Sa Nostra and The Caixa forum. These are all open for free as well as performances and exhibitions in public spaces and squares like La Rambla, Plaza del Mercado, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Porta de Santa Catalina. The old town is transformed into an enormous open-air art exhibition. Bright young talents and seasoned professionals from the artistic community take advantage of every corner to show their work to the public. Bars, cafes, studios, rooftops, facades of historic buildings, shop windows and balconies. Many hotels get involved to and its great to have a wander through these too. it’s a wonderful opportunity to see inside buildings that are out of bounds like the City Hall. Some events take part on the same night in other parts of the island like in culture- loving Pollenca, so if you are not in Palma you still may be able to see events on a smaller scale

You can even enjoy a glass or two of Cava as you peruse the art. The event starts from 7:00 pm and the galleries will remain open until midnight. You can pick up a list and map of participating galleries throughout Palma in the tourist information or the galleries themselves. It’s a fun, busy night and very well-attended by the locals and visitors alike. You have to walk a bit, so not wearing heels is a good idea. But it’s a must for art-lovers and if you don’t know much about art it’s a great way to gain insight into the art world. And wonderful for people-watching, as there are some very interesting outfits and sights to see on the night.

Voluntourism

In my previous blogs, I have talked about different types of holidays, one of the areas which has become a major trend in the last few years is Voluntourism. This is becoming the fastest growing form of alternative travel.  Although mainly aimed at gap year students this can be for everyone, although over the age of 50 it becomes harder to get insurance to work as a volunteer. (It is important to have suitable cover to work like this and not just standard holiday insurance)

Voluntourism; is working as a volunteer in exchange for food and lodging, in some businesses you can have a discount on accommodation if you work a couple of hours a day. This is not without controversy. Having had some good and bad experiences with this type of alternative holiday, I would suggest that although this is a great way to interact with a local culture in a way than normal travel does not, that some caution and research is required. I would also add that a job should not be taken from a local, particularly in areas where unemployment is high.

It could be said what can a volunteer actually do in one or two weeks that would be of any benefit? I think personally that would be depend on the both the host and helper and the work required. Helping get a property ready for rental or grape and olive picking or assisting with a retreat or event could be done in a short space of time and valuable skills could be learnt. There are several websites that offer volunteering opportunities most have a low joining fee. The advantage of these is that they offer reviews from previous helpers which give you an honest idea of what is to be expected. I would add that you should get to know the host before you arrive and Skype and Facetime are great for this. There are lots of roles offered but also a huge amount of people going for the same posts so it can take a while to find something suitable. I have used Workaway and HelpX and would recommend them. Some agencies will charge you to volunteer, I would research these very carefully to see what they are offering in their fee.

It is best, in my opinion to look for opportunities that have an actual role like: working on a farm, helping in a B&B, teaching, working on an actual project. I also would advise looking at the website and researching the business too. Beware of just staying in someone’s home unless clear duties are stated in advance. Most roles are shown as working 5 hours a day however, you will most likely work double this length of time. You often have to eat at the same time as your host, often preparing food for them so you are going to be spending a lot of time together both at work and socially. Do have a plan B in place if it doesn’t work out. It is a good idea to have enough cash to be able to pay for alternative accommodation. After talking to someone for 6 months, I was asked to leave after a day because he had changed his mind and decided he didn’t want someone in his home. I was helped by friends who lived locally to find somewhere to rent cheaply but it was still traumatic at the time.

Because of the types of roles, many are in rural locations so you will not be close to shops or bars etc and there may not be public transport to use, so be sure you are comfortable with this as it can be a very different way of life. Whatever you choose to do, this should be seen as a job of work as a working holiday not just a chance to sit in the sun and relax.

Hopefully, I have shown you some of the Pros and Cons. I still think this is a great way to have a different sort of holiday and also help someone else too. It can be hard work and do prepare for that but also great fun and a way to meet interesting people along the way.

So why not have a go!

The Big Day

Well, it’s the big day of my trip. I am all packed and ready to go, I am been met at the airport by Jesus. (My Spanish host not the son of god) I say my goodbyes to my family at the train station as I head off to Manchester airport. My outward flight was with Monarch, my favorite airline, I was not disappointed, with the quality of service and efficiently. Before you know it I was on the plane and heading off to the sun. I had left the grey skies of the UK behind me.

My bag was the one of the first off the baggage reclaim and seemed to have no battle scars and was intact. I headed off to my collection point to find Jesus ( no pun intended) I had just realized I was going to have to approach  men to ask if they were there to collect me, which was not ideal, however I didn’t need to worry, I spotted a friendly face waving at me, my chariot had arrived. My holiday had begun. It was too late to back out now what did I have to lose….