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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to make england feel like “abroad”

89 replies

Pukepukepuke · 02/07/2018 19:26

For a variety of reasons I can’t go on holiday to Europe but have managed to find a great deal somewhere in England. I’m mournfully sad about missing that amazing feeling when you know you’re on holiday abroad but I can’t put my finger on what it is... hopefully someone will know what I mean.........

I was debating how to make it feel like I’m abroad and all I’ve come up with so far is drinking nesquick because I’m not very imaginative.

OP posts:
mummytippy · 02/07/2018 20:49

I got the holiday feeling today too when I got a whiff of my sunscreen... Piz Buin... I was emptying my mop bucket at the time too! :-)

Foodylicious · 02/07/2018 20:51

I went in to Lidl at lunch time today and distinctly felt like I was on holiday.

Something about The layout and the super cool air conditioning.
Was very relaxing. Then out in to the baking sun Grin

sandgrown · 02/07/2018 20:53

There are some gorgeous beaches in Britain with real sand and even Palm trees on the south coast and west coast of Scotland. The supermarkets abroad are no fun now as they are just Aldi and lidl too! Have whatever you would have for breakfast abroad and sit outside I'd possible. Visit churches and tat shops and have cake and fancy ice cream sundaes. Do not read a paper or watch the news so you feel out of touch .

kateandme · 02/07/2018 20:54

open the windows wide so you get that airy feeling.
eat outside.
ice cubes in drinks.
nesquiks yes at night aswell as sitting outside into the night chatting
flip flops.
bbq
go out early morning for paper and bread in ur hoodie and shorts
get therr with the windows wide open arm outflaoting through the air.#find some walks
bike ride.
outdoor games
pesto pasta in bowls outside in deck chairs
soltn suncream
aftersun
ice cream
meal out in a pub
cadburys choc in front of the tv most night lol
evening meal out at nice restaurant
meal out at pub
trip to local sight.castle.chateaux
pastry from village shop

EssentialHummus · 02/07/2018 20:55

There was a thread to this effect on here ages ago and the consensus was to go out at 6am, drape a towel over your garden chair, wander back in, eat three mini pain au chocolat and some ham for breakfast, drive slowly to the nearest Tesco in second gear, marvel at their selection of hummus/rice cakes/olive oil...

kateandme · 02/07/2018 20:56

oh and read a dangerous amount of books.
I got that lovely feeling today with the window wide open the sun breaming down and the breeze through the trees.it reminded me of france.and then when the kids came home from school it sound like the French campsites :) oh god now im yearning for it!france beam me to you please!

snewname · 02/07/2018 20:58

Liberal amounts of mosquito spray and the smell of citrinella, combined with greasy suntan lotion and sand in your artisan sandwiches.

WindyWednesday · 02/07/2018 20:59

I always feel like I’m abroad when I go to Lidl. I pop in to make me feel like I’m on holiday. I don’t recognise any brands. It’s a tiled floor. Funny smell. Love it.

faceremovinghaircream · 02/07/2018 21:00

Afternoon drinking Grin

kateandme · 02/07/2018 21:00

croissant on the tables outside for breakie.
eating later.
eating together.
where is it your going?

Wittow · 02/07/2018 21:01

go to an outdoor Lido if you can? wish I was near one in this weather!!!

LockedOutOfMN · 02/07/2018 21:01

Buy a bar of Ritter Sport. Freely available in many English supermarkets but somehow illegal to eat unless you are on mainland Europe.

Great idea from Slightlyjaded. You could also buy a huge Toblerone.

Agree with other posters' good suggestions about going to markets, galleries, museums, etc., eating al fresco, avoiding things like supermarkets or chain shops and restaurants.

I'd add to that stocking up on some trashy magazines or novels or whatever you like reading, and buying a new beach bag, hat, flipflops, sunglasses, bikini or whatever you need for this trip, to give it that holiday feel.

And buy something coconut scented (ogx coconut water for hair smells great, and is also really good on chlorine / sun dried ends). Otherwise maybe a coconut shower gel - Body Shop has their - apparently never ending - sale on.

elephantoverthehill · 02/07/2018 21:02

Can you hire your own personal greasy waiter for the week?

IsaidMrDarcynotArsey · 02/07/2018 21:08

Pay one of the local ne’er do well’s to commit crimes against communal buffet hygiene. You know the sort of thing pick up a croissant sniff it return to plate. Pick all the premium fruit out of fruit salad etc etc :-)

littlemisscomper · 02/07/2018 21:09

IsaidMrDarcynotArsey I thought you were gong to say ask them to nick your purse! Now that would make you feel properly abroad!! Grin

SwedishEdith · 02/07/2018 21:13

Can you hire your own personal greasy waiter for the week?

Hmm
Member · 02/07/2018 21:16

Don’t use a kettle, boil water for tea in a saucepan then add UHT milk

Go out to buy fresh bread every morning and struggle back carrying 5litre bottle of water (you can’t use water from the tap to drink)

Hire a moped, drink Fanta limon & Lipton ice tea

Chimchar · 02/07/2018 21:23

Some places in Cornwall or west wales that I've visited ARE like being abroad...the sea is crystal clear, the sand is white and the scenery is just beautiful.

I think it's about not doing the things you usually do...a break from the norm.

Have a lovely time, wherever you go! Gin

ItscalledaVulva · 02/07/2018 21:29

I live in an English seaside town and my whole summer can be like being on holiday, with meals outside, picnics, evening walks, beach days and bbqs. With this heatwave it's easy to pretend to be abroad!

KindergartenKop · 02/07/2018 21:31

I always feel like I'm abroad when I shop in Aldi and Lidl.

OlennasWimple · 02/07/2018 21:32

Don't look at your phone! Pretend you are on an expensive roaming package, so you can't afford to use it very often - by far the best way to actually relax on holiday in any case Smile

Original poster
Pukepukepuke · 02/07/2018 21:33

After a difficult start these are amazing! What wonderful women you all are! I’m going to definitely buy massive crisps half naked and drink early in the day! I’m doing a big shop to be delivered but trying to think outside the box for meals and pesto pasta is a great one because we always eat that when we’re away.

OP posts:
Original poster
Pukepukepuke · 02/07/2018 21:34

Just looking for lays potato crisps and oranigna in glass bottles

OP posts:
WindyWednesday · 02/07/2018 21:35

I’m glad someone else likes to think they are abroad when ythey visit Lidl

BarbaraofSevillle · 02/07/2018 21:36

Pretend you're on holiday abroad by drinking a beer at ten in the morning then wandering to the Spar shop dressed in just your bikini to buy a bottle of water and 3 giant bags of crisps

Sounds just like our holidays, apart from we don't allow ourselves to start drinking until 11 am, I do throw a beach dress on over my bikini to go to the shop and we manage to stay just about sober enough to go scuba diving safely most days.