As somebody who has
been self employed, working all day every day to either find work or deliver
it, I find the summer holidays in my new job very difficult. If I’m not
achieving something every minute of every day I start to feel a bit like I’m
wasting time. I can’t sit and do nothing, I’ve got six weeks, in that time I
should be able to make a fortune, go on an adventure, build a huge list of
experiences etc etc. Whilst struggling with this dilemma last summer I managed
to spend over £1000 in one month, not on any bills, that was just spends, money
that I didn’t have. Now I’ve made the decision to buy a house I had to tackle
this summer spending problem and decided I’d spend the six weeks not just
saving but earning money as well. So far I’ve managed one and a half weeks
working for my Dad, a few evenings decorating for a friend, I’ve put a load of
stuff on ebay and have started a pile of things for a carboot sale. I’m trying
to organise some art workshops for this week as well, so three weeks into the
holiday and I think I’m doing quite well. The only problem is that about a week
ago I had to start avoiding facebook. There are lots of people on there posting
about their amazing holidays and trips. Adventures have started clocking up
including a month in Norway, two weeks in the Alps, a campervan trip around
Europe, beach holiday in Tunisia, working in Bangkok and to top that my
boyfriend is planning an all boys sea-kayaking circumnavigation of some islands
in Croatia. Cue feeling of frustration and jealousy… gah!
Then, something
magical happened … we went to the homeland last week, travelling around North
Wales in the camper. We started with a great family holiday at Bala for two
days, friends and family sailing and playing in the water. Then we went to the
Rhinogs, the first time for me, which was beautiful and adventurous, as we
couldn’t see a thing because of all the rain and mist! We found a great pub
with friendly people; on awaking in a car park in Llanbedr one of the local
allotment owners offered us a cuppa! Then we went on to another beautiful spot
on the estuary in a magical campsite before heading home. Oh what an amazing
time you can have on little money in Wales. Cymru am Byth! I’m totally inspired
to continue to discover new beautiful and exciting places in Wales (oh and
maybe England), who needs expensive trips to foreign places when adventure is
right here on our doorstep! I’ve ordered a book on welsh scrambles, borrowed a
few OS maps and can’t wait for the next trip!
