To be so fed up of having to book everything!

[Acunningruse]

I know, I know, Covid, restrictions, social distancing, blah blah blah. But I am just so fed up of having to log in, fill in loads of forms and tick boxes, choose a date in 2 weeks (upon which it will be guaranteed to rain) to just visit a National trust/other gardens/castle place which is OUTDOORS and about seventy billion acres anyway?!

We have a week's holiday in the UK booked and I am dreading the associated admin that goes with it. No more waking up and making a plan of what to do over breakfast - no we probably need to book tickets now, before we even go, not knowing what the weather will be like or what else is in the area! Then how to keep track of what is booked for each day?! I go on holiday to get away from being on my phone all the time but this year will have to have it constantly in hand to book the bloody tickets, find the QR code, scan the NHS app...

Anyone else feel the same and do you have any tips?

I absolutely feel your pain. We had a 5 day haven break last month and it was a pain in the fucking arse.
If you are doing anything like that you need to be pouncing on your phone and refreshing as things become available to book and coordinating with DH to make sure you can actually book anything on site for your kids, and write down what you booked as you go as its so frantic you'll probably double book yourself.
They are taking money for stay and play in the full knowledge that they don't have the capacity currently. Even worse if you had a bigger van instead of two separate if going with family, because swimming/entertainment slots are per van not per person.
So shit and so stressful.

It's a ballache. Hopefully not for too much longer.

We even have to book the local (public, in a park, next to a playground ) paddling / splash area. Absolutely absurd.

Oh i agree 100%. I understand why of course but it's a pain in the arse.

Just stay at home, problem solved. National Trust properties will still be there in a few years time. Plus the fewer people who book, the easier it will be for those who still do, so you're contributing to other people's happiness whilst saving yourself stress.

100% yes. So fucking fed up of needing to book swimming 2 weeks in advance. We wanted to go to the cinema at the weekend but everything was booked out so we couldn’t. Not even new releases. Beyond sick of it all.

I mean it's a real pain and so time consuming. Surely it's better we all get covid and have done with it. I mean I'm sure the NHS will cope.

YABU

I love the pre-bookings! No more rushing, no more being crowded, no more having to be everywhere at dawn to ensure you can have a place, you know what you have a spot for and when. Keep it that way!

It’s nothing to do with Covid it’s so they don’t have to employ as many people at the gate taking your money. That way they save money and get bookings and money for days where the weather is a washout.

@Fairyliz Yeah, it was a trend before Covid. Covid has made if far worse though.

@justinhawkinsnavalfluff 🙄🙄

So sick of it. We are away 7 nights in a couple of weeks. Started off great booking dinners out which we would normally do pre covid anyway, then it's oh will we go to a pub after, where can we go, what time will we finish dinner, if we book for 8.30 are we going to have to stuff it down or are we going to have to drag it out til it's time for our next booking.
Did about 3 days then gave up. We'll get a chippy and sit on a park bench if we have to and no doubt there will be a QR code on it!!

just have diner in the pub, problem solved.

Agreed. It got old a long time ago now and takes a lot of the fun out of these trips.

@justinhawkinsnavalfluff

I mean it's a real pain and so time consuming. Surely it's better we all get covid and have done with it. I mean I'm sure the NHS will cope.

I think the NHS have more pressing matters to deal with now after letting so many people go with out cancer treatment.

Its very frustrating to have to pre book. I'm awful at it. Think we will live at the beach and the park all summer!

@kindaclassy

just have diner in the pub, problem solved.

Problem doubled!! That's also a pre book activity.

It's shit. Going abroad next week where there's none of this carry on and can't wait.

I mean it's a real pain and so time consuming. Surely it's better we all get covid and have done with it. I mean I'm sure the NHS will cope.

The NHS hasn't been fit for purpose for yonks and the pandemic just highlighted this brutal reality.

We got round this by giving up basically - not doing 'things' but just mooching on the beach/going for walks/finding ancient remains (hillforts etc with no fences) reading, watching films or the football together, and eating! Kids are older though so more than happy just to sit on their phones while their fat old parents got some much-needed exercise.

Yep. Got 4 days in Yorkshire in August. Going to take a few hours this evening to plan the whole break and book everything. Some chance at spontaneity would have been nice.

I hear you loud and clear. We’re on holiday in 2 weeks and we’re currently doing the same thing. And things are booked up already!!

I guess I'm in a minority because it doesn't really bother me. It's nice to know you have a definite spot, rather than turning up to places to find them sold out or every table gone, and it's nice having things less crowded.

Ideally some places will keep bookings and some won't, and then everyone can gravitate to whichever system they prefer!

In some ways I find it helpful. For example soft play. I'd hate to drag my DD to soft play and find all the spaces gone.
But I agree with you for the main part, there's no 'what shall we do this weekend' because by then it's too late to book anything!

I kind of like it. It plays to the organised side of me.

I booked our holiday restaurants in late February. I feel quite smug now everything is fully booked!

@Acunningruse
Then how to keep track of what is booked for each day?!

Are you joking? Just put it in your calendar. This isn't rocket science.