I hate our holiday and want to go home

[Backwoods57]

I need to rant.

Day 10 of a 13 day visit to the UK. We moved to the USA in 2014 and have to come back every year because MIL can't afford to visit us, and is scared of flying. We are in Aldershot/Farnham area. There is nothing to do apart from walk up and down dead high streets. Traffic is terrible, I smell the pollution and cigarette smoke everywhere.

If we don't come we get a massive guilt trip about MIL not seeing grandkids etc.

This trip cost $4000, we have done very little apart from visit family and sit in my SiL's cramped dirty messy house.

2 weeks of my 3 week vacation allowance has been thrown away. I have start working remotely for A. Something to do, and B so I can claim some vacation days back.

I miss my home, our dogs, I miss countryside and wildlife, I want my space back.....and tap water that doesn't taste like bleach.

Maybe next time plan better. Tell the family you want to get out and do a few things. Plan in advance. I'd be bored anywhere if I just sat indoors for 2 weeks or wandered up and down a high street (which don't really exist in the UK anymore I might add)
There are plenty of things to do and nice places to visit - but they don't come to you - you have to go to them! A holiday anywhere is what YOU make it.

OP just wants something to complain about and try to make out that her life in USA is sooo much better. They’re too tight to hire a car, so that they can go further a field. There’s lots of lovely places to visit in the U.K. I stopped going abroad years ago. It’s the Easter holiday so they don’t have to get back every day for SIL’s kids. And let’s be honest America isn’t all that !

I’m not one of those people who defends the UK to the hilt, it definitely has its fair share of problems. But at least we don’t have to worry about our children being shot every time they go to school. I can put up with slightly worse scenery just for that, to be honest.

Surely you can't expect to slag our country off & get positive feedback! Stop whingeing & get off your arse & do something! We have some beautiful walks in Surrey. Get off your high horse then go back to the USA where everyone is fat and over eats & gets shot at then! 😂

Would it be cheaper to fly her out to visit you? Then you could still do some work.

I really can’t imagine wanting to teach my children to kill animals for the fun of it. And to think it’s an important skill and a fun family activity. What sort of parents would do that..

Says in the op mil scared of flying. They need to just catch up via zoom it all sounds painful for everyone involved particularly poor sil who deserves a medal.

Exactly how I feel being dragged to the in-laws in France every year. I've now started refusing to go. My husband's family, he can take them there.

Get the train up to Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 our water is so much nicer

I’ve already posted that a train from Aldershot to London costs at BEST £11 for an adult (if you have a railcard) or AT WORST £22 for an adult if you don’t have a railcard!

Considering the OP can afford a $4000 trip to the ‘shitty’ UK, those prices are fucking awesome!

Get on a train to some fabulous places and stop moaning! You’ll be home soon.

Surely adults can make their own entertainment/fun/best of it?

Stop wingeing and get out and find what you like to do.

Personally I think you are lacking somewhat in imagination! Others have suggested renting a holiday home which seems ideal. Why are you depending on your SIL's car? Why not hire your own and be independent?
Why not pay for your MIL to visit you? I know she is scared of flying, but so are loads of people, but they get over it if they want to see their family. Surely SIL could escort your MIL to the airport and you would be there at the other end.
It seems to me that you are simply playing the martyr. You chose a new life which is amazing, but for goodness sake, make the most of the opportunities that come with that choice.

Absolutely spot on!

Drive / train somewhere and actually do things then. You’re wasting it by sitting on your arse and ranting on here. Plenty of things to do so next time plan days out whilst you’re over here. It’s Easter so schools are out. You will have plenty of options open to you so plan next time.

How old are your kids?
Can you not just stay at home. MIL and SIL probably don't like you either.
Say you've got the malaise. You'll have to just grit your teeth this time. But have a pretend stroke or something next time! If he wants to see his Mam with the kids let him get on with it. Have 13 days down time💄

Jesus, grow a backbone and rent a damn car. Say ‘we’ve planned to do this and will stay on for tea…’ it’s on you to plan-you knew what you were coming to-you can’t blame others.

Although one has to be careful walking across fields, have you seen how many people get killed by cows in this country, quite shocked me

Yes I had a scary cow experience. DS6 had run off away from me into Port Meadow and wouldn't come back. I cut across near some cows to catch him up. I was shouting and trying to help him find a path back without too many nettles when I felt a gentle nudge in my back and turned round to see a young bull standing right behind me who clearly did not welcome my presence.

I actually have no recollection of how we got out of that one.

Can’t wait to see ‘Entitled SIL visits from the states’. Always two sides.

I think perhaps have some you time back home next time and let hubby and kids come over.

Yup. And “nowhere to park” is bullshit. Cars do not have to be parked on drives.

I’d suggest a rental car. It’s easy to moan. Take control of this holiday or just don’t do it. Plus, It’s too expensive to play the victim.

Jeez just fly granny to your place next year, surely.

If they’re staying in a villa maybe they’d have space for you so might be worth checking just incase. Or staying in the same
hotel for a couple of nights but skipping Disney and just having pool days/evenings with them? I guess Maine is still a long way from Florida and they probably don’t have time for a detour with the cost of Disney tickets and school holidays and time off work etc
I agree Orlando heat is horrible in august though.

Why don’t you plan days out or day trips to break it up a bit.