You’d think after having been a school teacher for so many years, I’d be naturally attuned to when the school holidays are. Years of looking forward to them; having to plan holidays when they were on; looking forward wistfully to the time when I’d be retired and could go on holidays any time I want…
So in conclusive proof that I’m not as smart as I should be, a few weeks ago I woke up at 3 AM, decided to check my timeshare to see which properties they had available and I booked a holiday to the Fleurieu Peninsula in South Australia – in the second week of the school hiolidays.
Didn’t even cross my mind to check.
Maybe this proves beyond all doubt that I’ve fully embraced the retirement lifestyle. Or maybe it just proves that I’m an idiot…
After that nocturnal flurry of activity, I’ve done remarkably little further research or preparation for this trip. I’ve arranged 3 catch-ups – one with someone I’ve never met in person, one with Evan24’s girlfriend’s family and one with a school friend I haven’t clapped eyes on for 40 years.
I was vaguely planning to go over there via the Great Ocean Road – another thing I haven’t clapped eyes on for years – but now I’m thinking that overnight accommodation might be hard to get in beachside spots while school holidays are on, so I guess I’ll cut inland for the way over and do the picturesque ocean drive on the way back. The school holidays will be over by then.
I’m looking forward to seeing the Twelve Apostles again.
Doughnut Days* – don’t fail me now! I have to fill out a travel permit to get back into Victoria, apparently. If the borders suddenly slam shut again, at least I have the freedom to kick my heels until they open up again.
I mentioned my timeshare a few paragraphs above. Over 10 years ago, in a moment of complete and utter madness, I bought a timeshare with Accor. The thing that appealed to me about it was that instead of being locked in to one particular property one one particular week of each year, it’s run on a points system with many properties scattered around Australia, New Zealand and Bali.
Since then, after a few holidays when the boys were small, we’ve barely used it. So far it’s been a huge waste of money – but now I’ve retired – by God I plan to use it to its fullest potential!
Last year, just before Covid hit, I went away for a long weekend to Bowral using the timeshare. I had a lovely time, meeting up with a blog reader and poking around in art galleries and just spending some quality time with my good self.
This time, I had 3,300 points that were due to expire in June. This holiday uses up 3,030 of them. This makes me happy. I might book a night in Melbourne and go and see a play or something, just to use up the last 300 points.
So – South Australia means wineries, beaches and fresh produce to me. I’ll be staying down near the bottom of the peninsula, in Normanville, while taking the hour’s drive to Adelaide once or twice to see people and have a look at the city. I’ve only been there once, when I was about 10. I remember liking the taste of the tap water, which astonished everyone else.
Does anyone have any recommendations of ‘must-do and see” things while I’m there? I’ll be there for 5 days, with a day or two on either side for the drive. I’ve stocked up on podcasts and audiobooks (from the library – can’t forget my Quest!) for when I’m in the car, I have around 5 books from the Lincoln Rhyme series to read as well. At night I’m planning to catch up on the second season of Dickinson and AppleTv. My free subscription runs out in June, so I’d better start making the most of it.
So my solitary time in the car and the room is accounted for. Now I need to work out how to fill the days. 🙂 Any advice will be gratefully received.
I’ve decided that when I’m on holidays, my “Low Spend” chart is suspended. There’s no way I’m going to mess with a holiday by limiting the frequency of my spending. That sort of stuff is for the rest of the time, so that when I DO lash out and go on holidays I can do whatever I like with a clear conscience!
This is, I think, the essence of frugality. You pull your horns in for much of the time, only spending on things you need or things you truly value – and because you do this, it gives you the ability and resources to lash out and indulge when you want to. For me, it’s when I’m on holidays.
You should’ve seen me on my 9 week holiday to the UK and Europe. I first planned that trip when I was 15 and I finally went when I was 51. I denied myself NOTHING when I was there and it was incredible. I spent money like a drunken sailor – so much so that I had to send a big box of souvenirs home via post – and I don’t regret a second of it.
This holiday won’t be quite like that, but I’m looking forward to exploring a new-to-me part of Australia. This will be me dipping my toe into the almost infinite possibilities that having total control over my time has brought.
*Doughnut Days are what we call days with zero new covid cases and deaths. We have quite a string of them now, which is why I feel comfortable going interstate.
The McLaren Vale wine region would be a Must See activity… ??
I’m looking forward to sampling a few cheeky glasses of Shiraz.
I have no advice but I hope you spend money like a drunken sailor because you deserve a wild holiday.
I’ll be doing shots over here…. vaccination shots! Shots, shots, shots, shots! ?
I have covid vaccination envy.
Well, you certainly have ‘picked’ a very busy time to be on the Fleurieu! It is quite lovely down there though. As a native South Australian – I think all of our destinations are great, but here a few things we did recently on a weekend stay down there:
– Second Valley beach and jetty area is just so pretty and worth a walk around – make sure you follow the path around to the left and walk out on to the rocks area for great views.
– We enjoyed an hour or so sitting at the Rapid Bay Ferry area, grabbed a coffee and watched the comings and goings of the Kangaroo Island Ferry.
– A drive to Rapid Bay Campground is rewarded with a lovely beach and a very pleasant walk up to a quite large cave. The jetty area nearby is also worth a look.
– There is also the D-Arenberg Cube near McLaren Vale – I have not yet been there, but people tell me that it is very interesting .
– There is a little second hand book shop in a small group of shops in Normanville, which will of course, be of interest to you. I was thrilled with my purchase of 2 jigsaws for $2 each!
I would offer to catch up but my hubby and I are busy preparing for our own adventure – long service leave and 3 months of caravanning in Qld! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.
Cheers, Wendy
Well there’s a lot of ideas! Thanks so much Wendy. Maybe we’ll catch up another time. 🙂
You might like to consider an activity called Geocaching. It is free to register, only requires a free app to play and best of all it is free! It is the best way to learn about the places you are visiting both historic and current.
http://www.geocaching.com
Ooo… good idea!
Classic rookie error! LOL. I did the same here when I started travel-planning, so now I write down all the school and public holidays in my calendar at the start of each year and make sure I avoid them! Plus it was a different holiday rhythm here and they still have Harry Potter terms like ‘Michelmas’. Enjoy your trip!
That’s not a bad idea. I’ll have to add them to my calendar.
I definitely agree with indulging when you’re on holiday. For me, the point of a holiday is to recover mentally as well as physically. Slowing down for a while and treating myself to things I usually wouldn’t are definitely part of that. Knowing when to be frugal and when to allow yourself some splurges keep life balanced and fun 🙂 Hope you have a great holiday, and fingers crossed for more doughnut days!
Thanks LadyFIRE.
It’s absolutely bucketing down at the moment. I’m glad I’m not taking the long drive today!
Doughnut days!!! I like the expression. None of those U.K. wide yet but hopefully going in the right direction.
I find it funny how quickly you’ve forgotten to factor in school holidays! You must be truly relaxed, I think it’s a good sign
I’ve just popped in halfway through my holiday.
I’d whinge about all of the kids being everywhere, but as a teacher I’m used to that.
LOL.
Timboon is a lovely little town not far from the Great Oceans Road. Lovely whiskey distillery/lunch place, a fab ice cream store and several artisan cheese and chocolate makers. And if you are coming home via Port Fairy/Warrnambool do drive through Tower Hill. It is beautiful
(I live 500 m from it) and can recommend all the good places for coffee/food/drinks.
I had a very dear uni friend who grew up in Timboon. He now makes dinosaurs for a living.