WHAT WILL TRAVEL LOOK LIKE?

I’ve been pondering this since the July travel linkup email dropped into my inbox. I am interested in everyone’s take, there will be such a mix of level of risk people are happy with. I’m personally not ready to travel, and the fact that I won’t be back in the office until the new year at the earliest reassures me I’m not mad! I haven’t been to a supermarket since the start of March and have no plans to change that either… If I won’t do that, then travel is definitely not about going somewhere that isn’t a day trip from home just yet!

Last month I was pondering the staycation and wrote chapter and verse about my favourite places to visit in the UK. But that’s all I did, I wrote about it. I haven’t actually done anything apart from put on my ‘to do’ list that I need to research cottage rentals near to Mr P’s parents. And I have stayed at home for the most part, only going out for walks or trips somewhere quiet and pretty, or to drop the little one off at nursery (which took me a long time to feel ok about on any level).

It still seems entirely surreal that I don’t want to travel, because I love travel. I love showing the little one small bits of the world, it has been a delight. We love finding new foods, understanding other cultures and experiences, being up in the air is fab, as is cashing in airmiles for fancy first class flights and finding hidden gem hotels.

But I like to have my wits about me and going away affects that as there is so much unknown. I’d be running from pillar to post, worrying about near misses and frustrated to not be able to plan in confidence or know where is quiet and ok. I can’t legitimately sit on a plane with my mask on, whilst my toddler doesn’t wear one. I know the benefit of masks isn’t proven but he would be at more risk from the air being circulated than me. So I would be failing him.

In fact, why sit on a plane? I won’t get on a train or a bus – planes are as filthy and carry the same risk. You never know who is near you and what kind of rule-keeping they do. I‘m not sure I want to use bedding or towels others have used. I wipe down all the door handles and taps in the house with antibac and know they are clean, making sure we’ve cleaned after the builders each day. Communal places aren’t yet for me, even though I know they all have new rules to stick to.

I like the fact that my cupboards, fridge and freezer are full of food and that the only food we get from outside the house is from our village pub who we know and trust them. There’s no panic dashing out to get something, and if there is then I take myself to a little store that only lets one person in at a time! Post tends to get kicked to one side and touched nervously before vigorous hand washing. Food deliveries all get wiped down.

So for us, for now, travel is about the good old fashioned day trip. These days we go to the beach for the day or we go on a walk or a cycle adventure with snacks or a picnic and we approach the trip like we might have done a holiday last year! I write a long packing list and get things ready the night before, being so out of practice leaving the house is a thing. I get very excited and charge the camera. I wake early raring to go wondering why the boys are still asleep whilst I’m making last minute packing alterations and putting all our food in cool bags. We fill the car, the same as we would for a holiday. We drive to the beach or the forest. If we’ve pre-booked parking then actually it feels just like airport parking, having to book and pay, and following the directions and instructions.

And that is just fine with me as I feel safe and in control. Sure I’ll be jealous when I see other people doing more, but having been at home such a long time we get so much enjoyment in a day trip and there’s no shortage of wonder in the little ones eyes just taking a simple trip somewhere fun and different to home. Also – no jet lag, no travel cots, no rubbish curtains – sleeping at home is so much easier! We’re lucky to have great places on our doorstep and the rest of the world isn’t going to disappear – I can use the time to ponder the delights that Pinterest and Instagram suggest. We’re lucky to be healthy and be able to relax happily at home. And I think for this year I’ll focus on making the most of just that, and the ‘travel’ experiences that I can do from home that I’m comfortable with and can enjoy without worry.

Join the travel linkup: as you can see, this month the topic is a thinker – what do you think travel is going to look like, and what will you be doing differently? Pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st – 7th July 2020), and add it to the linkup widget found on Binnys Food and Travel Diaries, Adventures of a London Kiwi, SilverSpoon London, or Happy Wise Owl.