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Thread: Getting away from it all.

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    Registered User Emil Miller's Avatar
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    Getting away from it all.

    The UK has had the wettest April according to records that date back to 1910 and the weather outlook is still unsettled. It is expected that, despite the severe economic situation, there will be a rush for foreign sunspots when the holiday season begins. Do LitNetters have a favourite holiday location. Do they prefer to stay at home with their books or perhaps take reading material with them to some exotic location?
    "L'art de la statistique est de tirer des conclusions erronèes a partir de chiffres exacts." Napoléon Bonaparte.

    "Je crois que beaucoup de gens sont dans cet état d’esprit: au fond, ils ne sentent pas concernés par l’Histoire. Mais pourtant, de temps à autre, l’Histoire pose sa main sur eux." Michel Houellebecq.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Emil Miller View Post
    The UK has had the wettest April according to records that date back to 1910 and the weather outlook is still unsettled. It is expected that, despite the severe economic situation, there will be a rush for foreign sunspots when the holiday season begins. Do LitNetters have a favourite holiday location. Do they prefer to stay at home with their books or perhaps take reading material with them to some exotic location?
    My favorite holiday location is London.
    While that is definitely true, I live in a summer resort area of Massachusetts, and we have some of the most beautiful natural beaches in the country, so I am spoiled rotten. I also have summers off because I work in a school, and this summer I will have eleven weeks!
    I wish I could be at the Olympics, and we are hoping the weather gets better. We are hoping also it will bring some economic relief to you, my husband is keeping up with the news over there on a daily basis.
    Most workers in the U.S. have two weeks off for vacation on average, which is one reason I like my job.
    Last edited by KCurtis; 05-16-2012 at 06:15 PM.

  3. #3
    April in this country has been a disgrace. No really it has, it has really peed me off. May has not been much much better, less rain but still mixed. I have the fire on now and have just turned the central heating off, in May - damn country...

    Unfortunately the foreign sunspots are not part of my current vocabulary. I think next year we are heading off to Spain though, I don't know. I find it hard to justify spending a great deal of money just for a week away. This is especially so when you are forced to go in the school holidays when the prices are more than double. That's another con. With the mortgage set up and the wedding in Ireland last year, this year's holiday is in Great Yarmouth, or as I call it, Yarmouth! I more or less detest the place but I know it makes the others happy so I suppose you have to give a little. There are some good things about it though, namely the day trips out of the place! I also have the school summer holidays off though so I have plenty of time to do other things so I'm not complaining at all. The local brewery in Southwold, Adnams, also has some fine brews.

    Anyway, back to the weather rant. Last week I bought myself another jacket, this one a medium weight walking rain jacket from one of those outdoor stores. This is because I am determined to get out whatever the weather. I also bought myself a massive fishing umbrella, as fishing is my latest addiction. It is not that I am put off by a spot of rain because living in the UK means you are going to get that, but you can't do a 65 mile bike ride in constant down pours and hailstones, even snow! This has been my problem with the weather; the constant downpours disrupting my planned bike rides and tennis sessions. The late frosts also destroyed my few veg crops. What a month! Add to that my constant battle with illness and my recent tragically sad event; this year has been pretty bleak to say the least. Still I am in hope for better events around the corner for they can't be much damn worse. (Having said that my brother had his £1000 bike stolen yesterday which is yet another a major blow. No insurance. It certainly knocks back our plans once again - Jesus what a year!)

    If I had my choice, maybe if money wasn't an object and the kids had grown up a little to appreciate it (maybe later a little later in life) Italy has to be my number one destination, easily, followed by the likes of France and Spain. A med cruise would go down well actually. Spain I have been to many times in the past and I think if you avoid the hot-spots still has its charms. These are not adventurous places to visit granted, but all the same it is an honest reply to where I would like/love to go to.

    However, I also adore the likes of Cornwall, Ireland and the Lakes (I'm off to the Lakes for the day in July) and still very much enjoy my local Peak District. I am more than happy to spend a lot of time here getting away from all the pollution and nesbitts and so forth - or even just sitting in the 'garden'. I work, and more or less live, in the middle of Nesbittville, but I only have to go about 6 mile down the road to be sitting on the edge of the Peaks! This I find keeps me somewhat sane. Partially. I feel another trip to Haddon Hall and/or Chatsworth is also due to redress the balance. The minimum is a weekly fishing session (plus a tennis session to burn off steam). I'm sure without all of this I would go completely bonkers. I'm also determined to do a lot of Peak walks and sitting around there reading and drinking coffee from a flask. Such things just have to be done.

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    In the fog Charles Darnay's Avatar
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    I'm not a huge fan of summery vacation spots. Beaches become monotonous after a short time. Give me a place warm enough to sit on a patio with some friends and beers, throw in a foreign city that has inspiring art and architecture and you have my perfect vacation.
    I wrote a poem on a leaf and it blew away...

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    All are at the crossroads qimissung's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Charles Darnay View Post
    I'm not a huge fan of summery vacation spots. Beaches become monotonous after a short time. Give me a place warm enough to sit on a patio with some friends and beers, throw in a foreign city that has inspiring art and architecture and you have my perfect vacation.
    While I agree with this wholeheartedly, I still love beaches! There's just something so free and easy about them, or maybe it's just the idea of them, I don't know. Anyway, I'm hoping (fingers crossed) to go to Padre Island this summer, and do lots of reading!
    "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its' own reason for existing." ~ Albert Einstein
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    Registered User prendrelemick's Avatar
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    Don't forget March was warm and sunny.

    I can really do without Holidays , or the whole process of going on holiday - just more work really - arranging, traveling, sight seeing, traveling back and catching up with all the work back home. Why bother? However I don't have a stressful life and I live in the kind of place I would like to visit anyway.
    ay up

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    somewhere else Helga's Avatar
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    Well here on the ice it has been ok all April and May, most people would probably say it's been cold though. I don't like beaches or hot weather at all so my favorite place to visit is London but in general I prefer to stay at home all vacation.
    I hope death is joyful, and I hope I'll never return -Frida Khalo

    If I seem insensitive to what you are going through, understand it's the way I am- Mr. Spock

    Personally, I think that the unique and supreme delight lies in the certainty of doing 'evil'–and men and women know from birth that all pleasure lies in evil. - Baudelaire

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    Registered User Emil Miller's Avatar
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    As the current replies suggest, holidays are a matter of horses for courses, although I must agree that the hassle factor of having one's underpants searched for bombs does tend to blight foreign travel these days.
    I am not a beach person but such has been the recent rainfall, that i am considering a trip to the south of France in search of sunshine. This is not guaranteed under Europe's recent topsy turvey weather pattern as last year was an unusually wet one on the French Riviera.
    However, there is something very satisfying in sitting in the sun and doing nothing except drinking a decent red wine at some wayside restaurant and looking at a very blue sea. For anyone contemplating a holiday in Greece, however, prudence would suggest to either forget it or perhaps wear a bullet proof vest.
    "L'art de la statistique est de tirer des conclusions erronèes a partir de chiffres exacts." Napoléon Bonaparte.

    "Je crois que beaucoup de gens sont dans cet état d’esprit: au fond, ils ne sentent pas concernés par l’Histoire. Mais pourtant, de temps à autre, l’Histoire pose sa main sur eux." Michel Houellebecq.

  9. #9
    However, there is something very satisfying in sitting in the sun and doing nothing except drinking a decent red wine at some wayside restaurant and looking at a very blue sea.
    Certainly. Very satisfying indeed. There's a few things I enjoy there, namely the drinking, the sun, the sea, and restaurants, but put them all together and wham!

    I think it is also just about having a change of scenery. If you noticed, two people said their ideal location was London, which is ironic as that is the place you would like to escape from for a while. Personally, I can't stand the repetition of daily life, of work, rest, work, rest etc and seeing the same people, and places and having the same conversations - it drives me crazy, I just can't function like that, I start to cackle, I feel like Truman.

  10. #10
    Registered User Emil Miller's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neely View Post
    Certainly. Very satisfying indeed. There's a few things I enjoy there, namely the drinking, the sun, the sea, and restaurants, but put them all together and wham!

    I think it is also just about having a change of scenery. If you noticed, two people said their ideal location was London, which is ironic as that is the place you would like to escape from for a while. Personally, I can't stand the repetition of daily life, of work, rest, work, rest etc and seeing the same people, and places and having the same conversations - it drives me crazy, I just can't function like that, I start to cackle, I feel like Truman.
    The thing about London is that it's steeped in history and, apart from the Japanese who turn up in Baker Street looking for the Sherlock Holmes residence, many foreigners do identify with it. I once met a barman (are there other people?) who was from France and he said he liked London but couldn't stand Paris, but I'd rather live in Paris any day. However, the south coast of France is simply magical and definitely the place to live if you have a spare million or two. I only ever once saw a nesbit there and believe it or not it was outside the casino in Monte Carlo; since the management demand a certain style of dress from those entering the building, I'm pretty sure he hadn't been in there gambling away his social security.
    I notice you have a penchant for Italy and that's another great place, especially Rome, Venice and the Italian lakes, although since they joined the Euro, the false but enjoyable feeling of having untold wealth in the wallet, when there were 2000 Lira to the Pound, has gone.
    It's a pity I haven't been able to publish my novel A Tangled Web, which is about literary plagiarism and set in Italy on the costiera Amalfitana, as I think you might enjoy it.
    "L'art de la statistique est de tirer des conclusions erronèes a partir de chiffres exacts." Napoléon Bonaparte.

    "Je crois que beaucoup de gens sont dans cet état d’esprit: au fond, ils ne sentent pas concernés par l’Histoire. Mais pourtant, de temps à autre, l’Histoire pose sa main sur eux." Michel Houellebecq.

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    Yes, by god, this month is completely ****, and to make it all cheerier I had exams all month long. All year I was thinking how ridiculous the stereotype of england as cold and wet was, when in autumn the weather was perfect and the winter was perfect except for two or 3 cold weeks. But Now i understand.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Emil Miller View Post
    However, the south coast of France is simply magical and definitely the place to live if you have a spare million or two. I only ever once saw a nesbit there and believe it or not it was outside the casino in Monte Carlo; since the management demand a certain style of dress from those entering the building, I'm pretty sure he hadn't been in there gambling away his social security.

    I notice you have a penchant for Italy and that's another great place, especially Rome, Venice and the Italian lakes, although since they joined the Euro, the false but enjoyable feeling of having untold wealth in the wallet, when there were 2000 Lira to the Pound, has gone.
    It's a pity I haven't been able to publish my novel A Tangled Web, which is about literary plagiarism and set in Italy on the costiera Amalfitana, as I think you might enjoy it.
    I agree Paris beats London, in terms of living.

    Also I love the riveria, but for me it has been completely ruined by the elitist culture there. Last summer I was in saint tropez, and there all those of my age were spending literally thousands of euros, in clubs a week, and if you didn't spend like them you were considered a nothing and the girls would not even look at you unless you had a table and many bottles. The women there are all money whores and the men much the same, and if you do not compete in the game you are socially shunned. It is such a shame that such a beautiful place is ruined by such a culture. The ****ing nouveau riche have ruined it with their peasant like mentality. I would have loved to have been there in the 20's up to the 50's when it retained its cultural integrity and beauty and all the people there were of taste. Now it is swarmed by masses of the tasteless who equate money to beauty and worth.

    Also I would if you sent me some extracts from your novel concerning descriptions of the costiera amalfitana, I went there when I was younger and It is one of the most beautiful pieces of Italy. I would like reading your take on it.
    Last edited by Alexander III; 05-18-2012 at 11:17 AM.

  13. #13
    Registered User Emil Miller's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alexander III View Post
    I agree Paris beats London, in terms of living.

    Also I love the riveria, but for me it has been completely ruined by the elitist culture there. Last summer I was in saint tropez, and there all those of my age were spending literally thousands of euros, in clubs a week, and if you didn't spend like them you were considered a nothing and the girls would not even look at you unless you had a table and many bottles. The women there are all money whores and the men much the same, and if you do not compete in the game you are socially shunned. It is such a shame that such a beautiful place is ruined by such a culture. The ****ing nouveau riche have ruined it with their peasant like mentality. I would have loved to have been there in the 20's up to the 50's when it retained its cultural integrity and beauty and all the people there were of taste. Now it is swarmed by masses of the tasteless who equate money to beauty and worth.

    Also I would if you sent me some extracts from your novel concerning descriptions of the costiera amalfitana, I went there when I was younger and It is one of the most beautiful pieces of Italy. I would like reading your take on it.
    Well as I recently mentioned on the thread dedicated to 'Rate the last film you have seen', Brigitte Bardot was responsible for turning St Tropez into a tourist hot spot due to the film God Created Woman made during the mid 1950s. After she bought a house there, many people went there in the hope of getting a glimpse of her as she was often seen in the town. It should be remembered that prior to her arrival, it was just a small fishing port that was seldom visited by tourists and the film captures that atmosphere very well. You might care to check out the video I posted on the above mentioned thread.

    References to the coastal scenery and the town of Amalfi feature throughout my novel but to give you some idea of the writing, here is the beginning of the second chapter.


    The finest view of the Costiera Amalfitana is from the hill town of Ravello, which occupies a plateau above Amalfi, and it was on a July afternoon, some two months after his conversation with Julian Hogwood, that Jerome Wakefield sat in the garden of the villa Rufolo and scanned the magnificent coastline.
    During those months he’d travelled the length and breadth of Italy in search of a home and it was in Amalfi that he had decided to settle. It had an atmosphere that suited him because he found its small town ambiance more to his liking than the country’s great cities. Now it was high summer and the tourists were much in evidence, so he had rented an apartment located away from the areas they were likely to frequent and could avoid them if necessary.
    Gazing at the blue expanse of the Mediterranean he thought of those whose supplications had caused him to flee abroad and muttered under his breath, “They can’t touch me here.”
    And indeed they couldn't, for nobody knew where he had gone. As far as anyone in England was concerned, he had gone away to finish his next novel: not knowing that it was already finished and had been for almost three years. He would spend the rest of the summer enjoying the splendours of Italy and return to England to present his agent with the manuscript for Home is the Hunter and if, as he strongly suspected, it had the reception it deserved, he would be able to buy a villa in Amalfi and give up ‘writing’ altogether.
    He gave a faint sigh of satisfaction as he breathed in the flower-scented air of the garden and watched a distant ship making its way under an azure sky towards the port of Salerno.
    At fifty, Jerome Wakefield had become something of a sybarite who enjoyed the luxurious lifestyle his new-found wealth had brought him, although he had never been short of money.
    His father had been an electrical goods manufacturer and the Wakefield name adorned many an household appliance in the United Kingdom but, when he died, his estate had to be shared between Jerome and four other siblings.
    Jerome’s share was substantial enough to ensure that he could give up working for the business that had been taken over by one of his brothers, but it wouldn’t allow him to be profligate and he kept a sharp eye on his investments to ensure that his relatively small fortune remained intact.
    He had never married, he didn’t like women very much and preferred his own company to that of his fellow human beings. This tendency to introspection had led him to buy Woodbine Cottage when it became vacant on the accidental death of Martin Padderborn, as he had grown tired of living in London and sought the peace and quiet of an English village. He did, however, have a curiosity about the world around him and had travelled to a number of countries before buying the cottage and discovering the manuscripts.
    Italy was a particular favourite of his. Admittedly, the Italians were noisy and excitable but the beauty of the country made an overwhelming impact on him and he determined that one day he would live there. Now, sitting in the shade of a palm tree, he considered the various coastal resorts he had visited since his arrival and decided to visit Capri the following day. A group of tourists came into the garden and with a sigh he got up and left.
    Last edited by Emil Miller; 05-18-2012 at 05:37 PM.
    "L'art de la statistique est de tirer des conclusions erronèes a partir de chiffres exacts." Napoléon Bonaparte.

    "Je crois que beaucoup de gens sont dans cet état d’esprit: au fond, ils ne sentent pas concernés par l’Histoire. Mais pourtant, de temps à autre, l’Histoire pose sa main sur eux." Michel Houellebecq.

  14. #14
    Pièce de Résistance Scheherazade's Avatar
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    I cannot afford to go abroad so instead come to the Forum to get away from it all.
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    "It is not that I am mad; it is only that my head is different from yours.”
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  15. #15
    Registered User Emil Miller's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Scheherazade View Post
    I cannot afford to go abroad so instead come to the Forum to get away from it all.
    But if you could, where would you go?
    "L'art de la statistique est de tirer des conclusions erronèes a partir de chiffres exacts." Napoléon Bonaparte.

    "Je crois que beaucoup de gens sont dans cet état d’esprit: au fond, ils ne sentent pas concernés par l’Histoire. Mais pourtant, de temps à autre, l’Histoire pose sa main sur eux." Michel Houellebecq.

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