I don’t want such a long summer holiday…

[NCTDN]

This is going to sound really weird I know. I’m tired and have no desire to be in work. But when my children were younger we spent three weeks abroad in the summer, so before we went away was prepping for the holiday etc then on return it was all of the other bits.
children are now uni age and have summer jobs. I’ve finished for the summer but don’t know what to do with myself. We’ve got a week away booked as a family but it’s a package so just need to pack a suitcase. No road trip planning or camping packing to prepare.
DH is working. I don’t know what to do with myself. I have lots in the house I can do, have a huge pile of books I want to read but summer holidays just don’t feel the same.

I think I remember you from the camping threads? Our holidays have changed in a very similar way to you because our kids have changed.

My DH is also not a teacher so can't have as much time off. However, I am happy to go away by myself for a few days so have managed to fill the 6 weeks up quite well. I'm looking to leave teaching in the next few years so want to make the most of the holidays whilst I can. Would that be something you'd like to do? It could even be just a night here and there or a few day trips to places. Perhaps take some of the books with you so that you are reading them in different places, rather than looking up and seeing the DIY/housework. Or do holiday vibe things on a daily basis- go for a coffee in town, see a film/show or visit a lido.

Ooh I like that idea !
Were you a different username years ago ? I was on a lot of camping threads but didn’t recognise your name. I would love to know what you’re thinking of doing when leaving teaching. I’ve been desperate to get out for years ! The holidays are the only thing keeping me there.

I was Professor Poopsnagle. I think we were at Valades together, back in the day when it was a mumsnet fave?

Not sure about the new job yet. I kind of want a complete change though! I have been applying for odd things over the past year and have had 3 interviews but no further. At this rate I'll get to retirement age still in teaching. 😃

I am actually being brave and camping by myself this year for a few days. I have done a camping pod by myself so this is the next step. I'm really looking forward to it, but it will be handier if the weather is nice! I just like the 'having to look after only myself and not too much talking to people' which is the rest from teaching I need.

Oh yes we were! I’ve just been on another camping thread and recommended there!
i don’t think i could camp on my own. In theory it sounds idyllic but i don’t think I’d be able to sleep.

I don’t want to turn this into another ´ I want to get out of teaching thread ‘ but I don’t really know where to begin.

I'd write a book or something!

No good for this year and may half term rather than the summer but I was reading on here about someone volunteering at the Hay festival and camping.

Could you go away on your own? Maybe a volunteering holiday?

Would something like a camping pod help you sleep? You'd also need to take (slightly) less stuff. I still prefer camping over to hotels because of the freedom.

I also thought about this today. https://www.artfund.org/national-art-pass They offer a 3 month trial pass, as well as a teacher's one. There's a whole mix of things to see, I'm actually not that bothered by art per se but I have found it good value and it's drawn me to things I wouldn't have spotted, for example, the Bawdsey radar museum in Suffolk. It might give you some different ideas to have as trips out.

My kids are also older and do we fon't have the same family holidays. I'm doing two long weekend city breaks with them in Amsterdam and Lisbon instead, and also doing some solo camps in the UK catching up with friends and just having some alone time seeing places, museums and castles I know nobody else is interested in.

I do have some planning to do as we are going to swap specifications in my subject and that will take quite a bit of work. I'm also going to paint the upstairs of the house.

But mostly, i'll be reading, gardening and enjoying silence and not talking to people who don't listen all day!

I've taken an idea from Instagram to plan one day trip per week in weeks I'm not away.Ihope to make most of it still being summer whilst also getting some jobs done.