Easter Holidays

Having spent a relaxing Easter weekend up in Yorkshire, we returned to London yesterday evening to enjoy the remainder of the Easter holidays.  Quite often we have taken ourselves away for at least a week during the Easter holidays, but this year, save for the weekend we have just spent, we have no special plans and can just please ourselves.  We may catch a few more days away between now and the arrival of some family for the final weekend of the holidays, but if we do, it will be a last minute affair with accomodation booked a few days before.

Now we have the dog, getting away, especially abroad, is not quite as simple as it used to be, as we may be slightly more limited by the availablity of dog-friendly accomodation and still need to arrange a pet passport.  We may just stay put and spend a leisurely couple of weeks in London.  London in the school holidays is almost like a different city.  The roads are markedly less busy.  It is hard to believe that this might be the case, but it is.  I guess many families make an exodus on holiday, to second homes or to stay with relatives outside of the capital.  It always amazes me how many people must drive their children to school here, but I guess  that not everyone is as fortunate as we are to have the school at the top of the street.

My partner, being self-employed, cannot always spare the time away from work to escape for a week during every school holiday.  Such is life.  My daughter and I will, however, enjoy extended lie ins allowing us a little more time for reading, spending time at home, the odd visit to a museum, shopping trip and other spontaneous activities.  The dog will still need to be walked and the shopping and housework will still need to be done, but our routine will blissfully be of our own making.  Sometimes it is just great to have a complete break from school and everything and everyone connected with it and spend more time as a family.  One treat we have promised ourselves, is to try out a new Italian restaurant that has opened down the road and which looks very inviting.  I have also promised my daughter a trip to the local mall to spend some money she was given for Easter, but other than that there are no commitments to date.  If you have children still at school or college, what are your plans for the holidays?  Do you go away or stay at home?