“Stop and take your time to notice things and make those things you notice matter.”
― Cecelia Ahern, Thanks for the Memories
And there’s the holiday theme again … AND you are aware this could, in theory, turn out to be a long post, because as you know by now, holidaying is what I do best and like most ☺ BUT it’s my girl’s birthday today and I still have a few “mum duties” to do.
Favourite memory of summer vacations is the theme for this week … and seriously … it’s a tough one. How do I choose a favourite holiday out of so many wonderful ones?
Mum was always big on travelling and I’m very fortunate to be married to a man who likes going to different locations just as much as I do. Obviously, I’ve loved all my holidays with my family. Of course I have. The ones that stand out are the ones to France or Italy. I remember my trip to Portugal and Greece with great fondness. Thrown into a group of 50+ young teenagers and make friends was a challenge for me, but it was great. No doubt, when it comes to favourite holidays I cannot go past my trips to the British Isle – sensational! Or my holidays to Australia – OMG! ツ The scenery, the land, the animals, fauna and the people. What can I say? Fond memories indeed. AND, not to forget our recent holiday to the USA, driving through five states in three weeks in a little motorhome (RV) family life pure! Can it get any better?
But the more I thought about all the holidays, and the more I talked about it with my family, I always came back to my “favourite” holiday – it’s a small place along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road. For over ten years we’ve been camping there. First in a tent, then our small trailer fold-out camper and finally our caravan. First as a couple, then with one dog, then our first girl, second girl and finally another dog. There are no facilities at the place and it’s camping pure. Okay, we cheat and bring our toilet and camp shower, but it’s not flash or luxurious. The beach is beyond beautiful, powerful and yet so peaceful. A popular and famous spot with the surfers. We’ve had many, many memorable moments there – the girls playing in the rock pools, or all of us building dams in the little creek close by, dealing with freezing cold days, wet days or 40+ deg C days, the girls say coming across a strayed penguin or meeting my daughter’s favourite footy player were their favourite moments.
Bottom line, it’s not always the bigger the better. That small little place at the coast will always be in our hearts as one of the best places to go for a good time!
Tell me about your favourite holidays!
Angela Schroeder
Patricia Kiyono
Elaine Cantrell
Jeff Salter
Joselyn
Tonette Joyce
Four Foxes, One Hound 
Your family vacay experiences sound wonderful, Iris. Certainly it’s refreshing to learn of people who don’t require excessive luxury and elegance in order to appreciate time together.
When I was a youngster, my family did not take “summer” vacations per se. We usually went with my Dad when he had a business conference out-of-state and we were taken out of school (spring) to do so. But you’ll hear more about that on Hound Day this week.
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Thanks Jeff …. the girls like it even better when mum stays home and they can do extreme tenting with dad …. no one to say wash your hands, watch the puddle, look at your dirty clothes – you get the picture right?
Looking forward to your post on Thursday!!!
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On those occasions, apparently you get some well-deserved peace & quiet. Maybe even find time to WRITE.
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I do indeed 🙂
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My favorite vacations always include my family. Most summers we just stayed home and my brothers and I signed up for the summer reading program at the library. We didn’t travel much growing up, but one summer my dad packed us all in the car and we went from west Michigan to the east coast. We stopped at Gettysburgh, PA on the way down and checked out all the Civil War sites, then drove down to Washington DC and spent a week with a war buddy of Dad’s. Then coming back we went through New York to Niagara Falls, through Canada and back to Michigan. Mom remembers it as a horrible experience but I had a great time.
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It certainly sounds like a great trip, Patty !!! Shame your doesn’t think so. Perhaps spending all the time wasn’t her ideal way of holidaying ?
Thanks for stopping by. Much appreciated.
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Iris,I am so glad that you appreciate the incredible fortune you have had in traveling with your family! It breaks my heart to see people who have a chance to do great things and don’t, or who don’t appreciate the local color . It is refreshing to hear!
Not only did we not travel top other countries, we did not travel as a family. When my kids were young, we didn’t get away except on long day trips, especially to the mountains,(we lived in Colorado), but they still enjoyed it greatly,(we did it very often), and when they have traveled back as adults, they go to the places we frequented.I have given them every chance I could to travel, even if it meant sending them off to be with family or with Scouts across country. I think travel is good for a person, IF they have the right attitude, and you certainly do!
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To have a great holiday doesn’t mean you have to go overseas. It’s probably what you want to do when your “younger”, but each country has soooo many beautiful places to go to. It’s nowadays when people tell me about their travels to Germany and show me their pics and I’m thinking …. jolly gosh, I’ve never been there! It’s what you make of the trip that’s important and I’m sure your kids appreciate all your efforts nowadays!
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