Remember that cramped accommodation I mentioned...
Thump. That's another catalog landing on the door mat. It's full of cool linen and toe-exposing sandals. New season, they claim. Don't they know I'm sitting here with an extra cardi on and a sneaky little heater under my desk? I never look at them for very long, it feels too strange. My poor cold toes curl up in my boots at the very thought of exposing them to the open air. At this point in the gloomiest and coldest part of the winter I find it really difficult to imagine even sitting on a beach eating an ice cream. The very idea of baring arms or legs to the breezes makes me shudder. I know a lot of people spend hours and hours indulging in fantasy travel, surfing sites and reading articles as they imagine it all. That's never worked for me - I can't think past what the weather is doing right now. I find it very difficult to pack for rain and wind when the sun is high and the air is still. Likewise, I've lugged tonnes of unnecessary fleece and wool with me, just because it was parky when I prepared for my trip. However, the long summer holidays will be upon us soon enough and, I'm sure, I'll be able to venture out with fewer clothes on and make plans that don't involve finding somewhere for a hot drink to defrost later. The Big holiday must, therefore, be considered. Alternately we wait until later and hunt through some late deals, but this is a risky strategy for a family like ours. Last year we had a brilliant time in Mousehole, Cornwall - with just enough sun, lots of sand and far too many ice creams and fish suppers. This year - though there's a strong possiblity we'll be back in the bottom left of the country - we haven't made our minds up yet and are open to suggestions. Here's what we need for our family holidays: Space. We don't do terribly well when we're all cramped up. We need to stay somewhere we can spread out a bit. Food. Obviously! But it needs to be what three picky kids will scoff without the need for me to cook every day And still. I need it to be tasty and interesting enough to satisfy my latent foodiness. Entertainment. The Boys are 13, ten and three so it's a bit of a challenge to find stuff they can all enjoy together. We tend to find a mixture of places to visit and divide and conquer works well. But there do need to be attractions - even if they're just rock pools - within easy reach. Shade. Boys One and Two are pale redheads and while Boy Three is dark they all hate getting gooped in sunblock. Much better to find ways to avoid much of it. Independence. Everyone needs a little 'me' time, however that works for them. So the Panther of News might need to nap, Boy One likes to strike out on his own for a bit as long things are predictable too, Boy Two will seek other children, Boy Three needs a bit of adventure, but not too much, and I just want to be left alone... for a little while. Convenience. A bit of convenience anyway. If the journey to get there is too horrific then it spoils the second half of the holiday. Where should we go on holiday this year? Rather conveniently, just as I was pondering our annual exodus, I was offered the opportunity to be sponsored to write a post on the subject. How's that for handy?