Around the end of May my study year with OU (open university) ended and I was basically wiped out. Consciously, my mind was set on taking a break from all that is writing and reading and basically anything extra curricular. Suddenly time was on my side again and my mum-focus had fresh 20/20 lenses in. And what a wonderful summer we've had in the UK!
From heatwave upon heatwave (not ideal amongst the breastfeeding community or the cuddly baby club for staying cool I'll admit), Bb and I have spent all non-work (paid) days hanging out and in various locations around this green and pleasant land. Snowdon was a mini chapter of sunshine in the teeny village of Gwynant, Wales (it always rained when we went as kids so the watery deluge is usually a given). Here we climbed mountains with Bb in the Tula sling on my back (and then my brothers). As strong and Amazonian as I felt trekking the relatively steep Watkin path up Mount Snowdon my hips (occasionally still a bit sore from a flipping rubbish pregnancy of severe PGP /SPD relying on crutches for daily movement) still felt the weight and my brother took on the sling challenge for the rainy (not a totally rain free holiday) descent.
A few days later I returned, dolled up in my running gear and armed with the Couch to 5k app. Much to my utter joy/ insanity the app works without any wifi... let's just say that again, WITHOUT WIFI! What a flipping result! So with a downloaded album on Spotify and a Wi-Fi-free encouragement app I hit the slope! It.Was.Tough. But Also exhilarating and with incredible views as standard: waterfalls, tree canopies and old-man-face rocks to mention just a few. There was also the perfect vista of the cottage we were staying at from a tree cleared view point, I felt pretty damn lucky that day.
Since then we've ventured to our local seaside towns and villages: Mundesley, despite its landslides earlier this year, provided safe swimming and sandcastle structuring (then smashing) as is its forever-charming standard. Another firm favourite is Whitlingham broad. On a hot and sunny, loose-end day it's a go-to place which barely requires words or collaborative thinking from my husband and I. Even on the harder, sleep- deprived days (btw, how are these still the lion's share one year into motherhood? No one tells you these things!) it has coffee (and tea and soft drinks and amazing cake and ice cream and loos) to power you round the lakeside walk (about an hour and a half to stroll with a buggy I'd say). This too is another location I've barely seen in poor weather but I'm certain it's still beautiful under moody skies.
The option of going on holiday never really presents itself to me. Being self employed I always think of reasons not to do stuff which requires financial commitment, but this year has considerably proved that holidays don't have to be world tours or desert islands in the Maldives (not that I'd complain) to be special. Keeping it local and UK-based has refreshed me enough to crack on with my final year of Open University study (even enough to feel giddy about getting started) , alongside a barrel load of memories for another year. And at the end of the day, isn't that what holidays are all about?
