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Original poster

Another "shit weather" holiday thread

67 replies

Crunchymum · 18/08/2021 08:04

Currently half way through our holiday and what a disappointment.

I know this is the chance we take with UK holidays, I know it could be worse (if we'd come a week earlier we'd have had even worse weather!!), its not about the weather its about the clothes but even with our layers and our beach tent the toddler was frozen after an hour yesterday and she didn't go near the sea

We couldn't have afforded abroad but we've spent circa £2k on this week away. We just wanted a little sunshine (not grey, overcast, gloomy, drizzle and rain which is what weve had)

It's Kent coast but no car to "chase the weather"

I know we are luckier than some to even have a holiday and I'm keeping my game face in front of the kids.

Just wanted a nice few days on the beach Sad

OP posts:
NinaBallerinaShoes · 18/08/2021 09:11

@MissyB1

The last few years I've been saying that August can no longer be counted as summer, it's more like an Autumn month. Basically Autumn comes sooner now as part of our seasons changing.

But yes you take a chance on the weather anytime in UK, which is why we haven't been on holiday since the pandemic began. We will hopefully resume going abroad next year. I just cant justify paying 2k to holiday here and potentially have it ruined by weather.

Totally agree. For the last few years we’ve had lovely days in March and April. According to the Victorians, the last day of summer is the 31st July. I can see their point. I’ve got my winter duvet back on my bed.
Passthecake30 · 18/08/2021 09:13

I’m lucky in that I’ve got relatives on the Kent coast and Essex coast so our staycation is free. However, we’ve had 2 days of beach-worthy weather this year in 2 weeks, last year was much better. I definitely want to go abroad next year.

CoraPirbright · 18/08/2021 09:15

Oh I do sympathise OP - its really shit this year! Apart from those few absolutely stinking hot days (too hot to be enjoyable) its been generally depressingly awful. I’m not asking for much - just not raining or overcast! I don’t need wall-to-wall days of 30 degrees....just a hint of warmth would do!! It always seems like the winter goes on for a really really long time (ie an entire year!) when you don't get a decent bit of sunshine in the middle. And I do agree - mid August ought to be decent. I had a hot water bottle last night. Arrrgh!

MissMarplesGoddaughter · 18/08/2021 09:16

OP - do you want to say where you are so MN can give some suggestions?

CoraPirbright · 18/08/2021 09:18

Oh and you can flipping guaranty that there will be a lovely warm sunny days once everyone is back at school/work in September!!

Pokhora · 18/08/2021 09:18

Although I often expect August to be rubbish this year it has been rubbish in April and May too. Looking back at my photos we had snow in the South East on 4th May.

TyneView · 18/08/2021 09:21

47 degrees in Greece and Spain isn't any fun either...

PissedOffNeighbour22 · 18/08/2021 09:23

We always used to go away in the middle of august when I was a kid (25yrs or so ago) and it always rained for at least 4 out of the 5 days we were there in the trailer tent. Fair enough it was Wales but we never once had good weather.

This year we had our first Cornwall break - toddler's first holiday, in early June. Over the last few years the weather in early June has been crap - lots of rain, flooding etc. This year at home it was scorching hot but in Cornwall it was raining. Typical.

At the moment (Yorkshire) we've not had much rain over last few weeks but it's bloody windy.

Saisong · 18/08/2021 09:29

I'm on Anglesey visiting family. I grew up here - i know it's grey and miserable lots of the time, but gahh its depressing!

Our only holiday for nearly 2 years, I wanted to make it more special for the kids and do all the touristy stuff we usually avoid. No dry days, and almost all activities are outdoors. We're just getting on with it, but it is starting to feel relentless. Im now longing to return home - weather forecast for our long drive home is pretty much torrential rain 😭

kravestix · 18/08/2021 09:34

Where abouts in Kent, OP? I'm in Kent. It has been awful weather wise. Sunday was quite nice and we went swimming at Kingsdown Beach. But other than that it hasn't been great. Though, my weather app reckons Thursday and Friday will be rain free. I'm taking DS on the RHDR tomorrow. There are some nice things to do but it depends where you are if you haven't got a car. Sorry it hasn't been great for you all! Hopefully we will get the rain free days tomorrow and Friday!

ssd · 18/08/2021 09:39

We've actually had a decent summer in the west of Scotland which is very unusual. Im sitting out the back just now and its warm.
I feel for you all, we had 14 years of holidays in the uk as we couldn't afford abroad and have eaten many sandwiches on a picnic bench in the drizzle. Its just shit.

confusedofengland · 18/08/2021 09:42

I am following this thread with interest to see if I can glean any tips. We are due to go to Norfolk on Sunday & thunderstorms are forecast for the day we arrive! We are seasoned campers but not happy with the thought of pitching a (new - not used before) tent in thunder & lightning is not appealing.

Also, while there are indoor things to do once we are there, they tend to be expensive or busy or both. Soft play not really an option with my DC's ages (7, 10, 12) & might as well be at home if we were to do that anyway Hmm

Although all that said, I do realise that we are lucky to have a holiday, especially given the situation in Afghanistan etc - those poor people would give anything to have these 'problems'

RampantIvy · 18/08/2021 09:45

I'm in South Yorkshire. We had a very sunny and extremely dry but cold April, a cold and wet May, a glorious warm and sunny June, a mostly warm July with a week of very hot weather and a disappointing August with the odd warm day.

So, mixed weather for us.

TonTonMacoute · 18/08/2021 09:52

Since we have not been tied to school holidays for a while we always go away in July and have always had great weather.

We live in Cornwall and I have noticed that every year, as soon as the schools break up, the weather changes and we have awful Augusts. I'm surprised anyone ever comes back!

CarlottaValdez · 18/08/2021 09:53

We’re having shit weather in a shit house (much much less nice than our own house) in a crap coastal town. DS is having a pretty good time and we’ve seen lots of the in laws (which was the point really) but it feels like a massive waste of money to be honest.

blahblahblah321 · 18/08/2021 09:55

@Antsinyourpanta

The last few years I've been saying that August can no longer be counted as summer, it's more like an Autumn month. Basically Autumn comes sooner now as part of our seasons changing.

I think the same. Often the end of June - mid July is much nicer weather than school summer holidays.

I agree, I think school holidays need changing
RolloTomassi · 18/08/2021 10:00

Ugh same here, arrived Monday for the week and the weather has been shite so far, with rain expected 3 out of the next 5 days.

I'd be more accepting of rain if we got just a couple of nice days to get on the beach! This is just a mix of wind/cold/drizzle/rain. In AUGUST. Absolute shit.

underneaththeash · 18/08/2021 10:02

We’re in mid-France and weather crap here too. Although it was 30deg when we arrived (which was far too hot!) I’d rather have this.

CentrifugalBumblePuppy · 18/08/2021 10:02

I can sympathise, the weather in the south this year has been shocking (on a par with 2007 which had personally gone down as a “FFS, give me one day of no rain to get my laundry on the line!” (I’ve invested in top quality tumble driers since then lol).

Since my son was born in the 90s on the 13th August, I’ve kept a mental record of the weather on that date. The following is as unscientific as an antivaxxer’s logic, but here goes.

Only on his 2nd and 10th birthdays was it hot & sunny (and we spent both on the beach). His 18th was warm enough for a pub visit in the evening. The rest have been grey & overcast, with more days of drizzle & alternatives to planned bbqs/outdoor parties/camping sleepovers. This year? Friday was cold enough for a cardigan, grey & overcast with rain in the afternoon. In fact, it’s rained so often I last got my hose out to water all my hanging baskets & containers during that heatwave week in July.

Top tip if you go away in the UK when your kids are around secondary age? Bring a mate. We’ve often camped with 2 adjacent pitches for an adult tent & teen tent.The weather doesn’t matter then & they’re self sufficient enough to entertain themselves for hours.

It’s just the English weather. I think it’s more humid (but then that could be me being menopausal), but August has always been pretty changeable. People who usually holiday in warmer climes are just experiencing the joys of an English summer away!

Holidaytan · 18/08/2021 10:11

This is why I went to Croatia for 10 days. Got back Friday. Hot, sunny weather guaranteed. This summer has been worse than usual in Uk.

sandgrown · 18/08/2021 10:13

I live in Blackpool and we had weeks of great weather before the school holidays. The beaches were packed . We are used to poor weather so lots of indoor attractions though the cost can mount up unless you book in advance .

Camomila · 18/08/2021 10:19

I bought a kids wetsuit in lidl last week - it's been way too windy to get in the water though where we are.

We're off on our holidays 1st week of September - bet it rains every day 😁

Original poster
Crunchymum · 18/08/2021 10:21

Margate-ish

OP posts:
Disneycharacter · 18/08/2021 10:21

Currently in not so sunny Norfolk. Had all rain yesterday so a lazy day, but managing to do things most days. Horse riding today

Original poster
Crunchymum · 18/08/2021 10:22

Have already done the walks, been to Broadstairs, been to Ramsgate etc.

OP posts:
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