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 can't afford a holiday this year so feel little sympathy

Its not just holiday activities though. It's the library, toddler groups, the cinema, swimming feck I even need to book weeks in advance to visit the tip!

It's mind numbing just how many activities now need such extensive forethought.

I can't be bothered with any of it now. Happy to wait till things are normal, not fake normal.

@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.

You should be on the SAGE committee, so well informed and incisive. That's all that's lacking, isn't it? That the NHS 'copes'.

We have to book a picking slot at our local fruit farm to pick strawberries in polytunnels with open sides and the breeze blowing through them! They didn’t want crowds turning up all at once.

Hold on a FUCKING minute. Surely after 19th we won't have to prebook going to the pub for a pint or a lunch in an ordinary cafe?

@KittyFilter

Hold on a FUCKING minute. Surely after 19th we won't have to prebook going to the pub for a pint or a lunch in an ordinary cafe?

If next to no one goes on holiday abroad as they normally would, you might still have to. If you want a table that is!

I can't afford a holiday this year so feel little sympathy

How sad

I can't be doing with it. The weather is so changeable I don't want to be tied in to an outdoor activity on a day that turns out to be torrential rain. We're not bothering and just sticking to beaches, bike rides, walks etc. We are still getting lots of fresh air without the hassle and it's still enjoyable.

I'd rather book a spot for the beach car park in advance, than having to turn up at dawn because it's a busy day.

@kindaclassy

I'd rather book a spot for the beach car park in advance, than having to turn up at dawn because it's a busy day.

Yes!! We live in the south west and every summer holidays we end up going to the beach for 8am just to have a bit of time before the tourists flock the sands!

True its good to book the beach but then you need to book weeks in advance and then it rains

I haven't found that I have needed to book anything weeks in advance - just a few days. Maybe I like unpopular places

Rampantivy where do you live? In the se even national trust is instantly booked up, local pubs etc

Yorkshire. Not had any problem booking meals out recently. Am on holiday in Wiltshire and had no problem with booking places to visit with a few days notice. Even Longleat could be booked at a day's notice.

I'm not bothered about beaches or theme parks.

I don't mind it too much, but then I'm not a very spontaneous person, so it suits me OK!

Interesting how geographical varied it is. Even our local cafe is booked for lunch a week in advance

Some pubs,cafes and restaurants are struggling for staff so there maybe some booking issues for a while yet

I find the advanced booking both annoying and helpful, depending on what it's for. Some things work better than others.

For example, the fact that we can now book a time slot for the Science Museum is great, saves us turning up on the off-chance that the queue isn't horrendous.

But I've also had my share of visits to NT places trudging round in the rain because we'd pre-booked and felt compelled to go.

Just booked to visit Salisbury cathedral in a couple of hours no problem.

Just booked to visit Salisbury cathedral in a couple of hours no problem.

It's mid working week and school haven't broken up yet in most places and tourists from aborad aren't really happening due to all the travel restrictions - so I'd be suprised if Salisbury cathedral had been all booked up.

I image weekends and school holidays may well be harder to book for - it will be the times we're avaliable to do things.

Though it is an advantage scots have with their earlier school hoildays to visit rest of UK which is still quiet and retired peopel like IL have - they've gone off midweek to Yorkshire coast which should mean booking and getting places is easy for them.

Wouldn’t count Salisbury as south east. Definitely Wessex

@Jaxhog

BTW, not all NT places require pre-booking. We went last Friday without a booking. No problem.

Unfortunately all the ones near here have to be booked. We booked in advance but it was chucking it down with rain on the day so we didn't go. There's no way of cancelling though so it was a wasted slot.