1) Am I planning to take a vacation anytime soon? Please share!
Yes, we're going back to the heavenly island of Skiathos in the Greek Islands. This holiday has rolled over since 2020. We haven't been to Skiathos since 2018. For more on this gorgeous little island, where Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell have a holiday home, see my report here.
I'll be lying on the private beach next to our hotel with my binoculars at the ready, watching ships and boats of all sizes passing by on the way to the old Port of Skiathos. In the evenings, we'll take the short water taxi ride to the town to dine in the scenic restaurants high up in the hills. Below: 2016 and I'm watching the ships.
The top photo is from our holiday in Hawaii in December 2005, when John ran the Hawaii Marathon.
2) Have I recently gone on vacation? Tell us all about it.
I haven't had a holiday since July last year, when we went to the Lake District in the north of England, a very beautiful spot. It was the hottest week of the summer and made the long, strenuous hikes even more gruelling.
3) What is my favourite way to travel?
It would have to be train or ferry, but in reality we either go by plane, or for a UK holiday, by car. On one memorable holiday in the Greek Islands I flew to Athens and then got a ferry from Piraeus to the first island stop, Aegina. That's the best way to travel round Greece. I haven't had a train holiday, except for a weekend in Paris which involved the Eurostar, but I'd love to do one.
4) If money were no object, where would I go and why?
My two dream holidays are South America, which hopefully I will do next year, and Japan for the blossoms. South America just edges ahead because it involves three countries, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, and looks spectacular.
5) Who would be my favourite person, living or dead, to take on holiday?
It would have to be John because like me he wakes up early and goes to bed early, and knows all my funny ways! Someone like David Bowie would be wonderful but I couldn't see him trudging up Helvellyn (in the Lakes), and the fandom and adulation would drive me mad.
6) What do I absolutely have to pack when I go on vacation?
Two Kindles (one as back-up) because I like to power through about 7 books on a 10 day holiday; my binoculars and my headphones, so I can listen to music and podcasts.
7) What are my memories of my all-time favourite vacation?
This was a touring holiday of Sri Lanka in 2003. It's a beautiful location, full of history and charm. We saw some wonderful sights including the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, climbing Sigiriya, an elephant orphanage and a visit to tea plantations.
8) Where would I never go on holiday and why?
I don't think there's any place I would rule out, except one where there was civil unrest. I tried to persuade Mr Mutton to go to a location that overcame Covid very quickly and was welcoming tourists before anywhere else, but he said "No, it's a war zone!"
9) What is the worst thing I ever experienced on a vacation?
In Egypt I had food poisoning and the next day went on a coach trip with the two women I was holidaying with. Unfortunately it involved a very long and steep walk, in blazing heat. I was still under the weather, probably dehydrated, and could barely make it. Fortunately a kind Israeli man and his family gave me water and he literally dragged me up the hill.
10) What is the best thing that ever happened to me on a vacation?
Nothing romantic I'm afraid, no proposals or serenades or anything like that. I live in hope!
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