Just like that
No sooner had it started, our cheeky sneaky squeeky February holiday was over, but I must say that it's certainly something I'd do again. It's a great time of year to get away from Ireland, as it's generally wet and windy or cold and miserable or a mix of all of those.
So taking a week in Spain where we were blessed with six dry days out of seven, some beautiful blue skies and some lovely sunny days where the mercury hit 19 degrees Celsius was just the tonic.
A few days after returning to work after the Christmas break, I booked it and I think taking your holidays in week long chunks like that is the way to go rather than lots of long weekends. I'm lucky enough to have 26 days holidays a year, so no reason not to take 4 longer breaks and save 6 days for long weekends, weddings and the like.
As a family, we've never holidayed in February before, so my wife's idea not exchange Christmas gifts, but instead put the money aside and get away for a few days while the kids were on midterm break was a quality idea and something I'd recommend.
That week in the sun tops any clothes or electronics or aftershave I may have otherwise received.
So if your special someone has a birthday coming up, maybe surprise them with flights or a hotel stay instead of material things?
All good things though have to come to an end....
so we've gone from this.....
to this.....
To be fair these little beauts were delighted to have us home, as they had gone on their own holidays to the local kennel while we were away.
Adios
So just like that it was Adios to Spain until later this year (hopefully) and we did the usual planes, trains and automobiles to get home...
up
Up
UP
And away!
View over Dublin on way out
I had a window seat for both flights, so I took a few auld snaps out the window to show you guys some of Dublin from the air.
View over Dublin on way out
And some more from the way back. I just love being way up in the sky getting this view of our country and other places in the world. I think we take it for granted and it's actually a sight to behold and something to be very thankful for. You only need to go back a couple of generations when this was the preserve of the rich and famous and a few years before that it was not even possible, as the famous Wright Brothers had not yet taken to the skies.
Getting Home
Holidays are something I really really look forward to, but in a strange way I also love getting home.
That feeling when you walk back through your own front door, the familiar sights and smells. In my case taking a spin out the rosd to collect our two dogs and seeing them reunited with their family.
Another thing is getting back into the routines of day to day life, which always get parked a little bit when on holidays. This one is tricky though with kids and usually takes a few days at least to bed back in perfectly.
In summary though, I'll say this, February holidays are a great idea if you can make it work and you don't have to go to Spain for a week if your budget doesn't allow it. Why not a hotel break for a night or two or a visit to a friend or family in a nearby town or city for a few days?
We are all facing into March refreshed now and with Spring in the air, there is definitely a feeling of positivity and renewal for what awaits us in the days, weeks and months ahead.
Wherever you are, mind yourselves and those around you, rub a dog, smile at a stranger, do a random act of kindness. I promise you that you'll feel better for it.