This time last week…
I’m sure we all do it. The suitcase has been unpacked (or in our case, anything which won’t be worn until next summer has been tipped into one suitcase and hidden under the bed). The “suntan” has faded from slightly pink back to a shade of grey akin to a dishcloth. The photos have been reviewed, bikini shots and anything taken post-tequila deleted, and uploaded onto Facebook with witty comments. And yet we still cling onto our holiday memories and hark back to what we were doing “this time last week”.
Whilst tipping our cornflakes into a bowl, we reminisce about how “this time last week, we were having a champagne breakfast, watching the sunrise over the sea”. Even though this time last week we were actually queuing behind a loud Cockney man arguing with the chef, a small screaming child and two purple-haired pensioners fighting over the last congealing spoonful of baked beans.
Whilst ironing and folding a never-ending mountain of clothes, we recall how “this time last week, we were strolling hand-in-hand down the beach, the sun beating down on our slightly-bronzed shoulders”. Nope, this time last week we were actually picking our way across a rocky outcrop in nothing but flip-flops made of a tissue and an elastic band, hopping across a patch of sand so hot it may have been volcanic lava, and covered in patches of calamine lotion to soothe the prickly heat rash which has sprung up on any exposed patch of skin.
Whilst catching up on last week’s Great British Bake Off, we ponder on how “this time last week, we were watching amazing, five-star entertainment whilst sipping expertly poured cocktails”. We weren’t. This time last week, we were watching a female singer murder “popular” songs by Adele and Lady Gaga, a guitarist who played a 37-minute version of Eric Clapton’s “You Look Wonderful Tonight”, whilst sipping cocktails which were one quarter tequila, three quarters ice and a paper umbrella.
And when next week comes? It’ll be “do you remember what we were doing this time two weeks ago?” And then “this time a month ago?” There’s only one cure for this. Plan the next trip. So we can ask:
“What do you think we’ll be doing this time next year/month/week?”
N.B. All tales are of course greatly exaggerated. Apart from the 37-minute version of “You Look Wonderful Tonight”. Sadly, that did happen.
Funny (again!) Hope you went someplace new and exciting?
I had the trip of a lifetime during the summer and still find myself saying ‘this time four months ago I was…’ 😉
Urgh, real life sucks!
This post is perfect for me. This time last week I was waking up to brilliant sunshine and a view of the Gulf of Mexico and today? There’s snow in my garden and I have to bundle up to go outdoors. It’s painful isn’t it? My plan is to start planning the next get away to keep my mind from focusing on the current, terrible weather.
Good plan Phil!
I relate! The holiday blues are the worst and I’m a massive victim of the “this time last week” thing – this was very relatable!
Jas xx
Thanks Jas! I’m considering a life of permanent holidays so I never have to go through the post holiday blues again…
Ahhh that most certainly sounds like a life worth living
You it seems grab the world by the hand and enjoy life. You could be global house sitters and be on permanent holiday! Now there is a thought.
Oh, I wish! Maybe one day 🙂
Never say never. But on a different note. My lovely Dad often said ‘We have to have the rubbish bits to value the best ones.’ He would have said this about after holiday blues I am sure.
Very wise words Ellen x
He was a very wise man sadly missed this third year.
Oh the reminiscences of holidays past! They always take on a specoal sheen!
Of course, we forget the time spent queuing at the airport, the decidedly sketchy areas we wandered into, the food that or may not have given us food poisoning…
These things fun over time Lol!
Hope you have lovely time on this one…..:)
I’ve been going through my photo albums lately, nostalgic over vacations past…there’s so much of the world I still want to see. Your post has given me some travel motivation for 2018!
Excellent! Hope I’ve given you some ideas Melissa!
Post vacation blues are just some of the hardest! I’ve become an AVID fan of Shutterfly photo books. Usually when I get back from a trip I spend the next few weeks trying to recreate our trips in a beautiful book. It helps me enjoy the memories more and transition into real life a little easier. Plus it’s so great to have the books to show everyone!
Oooh, that’s a great idea, need to look into that 😀
Great… now I’ve got Eric Clapton stuck in my head. Only cure is one of those delicious sounding tequila drinks with a paper umbrella 😉
Oh but Gabe…you look wonderful tonight 😂
HA! and *vomit*
I think we can all identify with this one Em!
Your solution of starting to plan the next trip if the best possible advice!! Get saving and find somewhere new to explore. Or, start to look around the sights closer to home. It’s always fun to see your own surroundings with the eyes of a tourist. I mean, everywhere is exotic to someone!!
Agreed…Birmingham is very exotic 😂
Lol, well, you know if you walk along the canals, you can totally imagine it from a tourist’s eyes!
My daughter is currently doing this a couple of weeks after her German exchange partner went back to Germany…the exchange was so eagerly anticipated (she had already stayed with him earlier this year) and they had such a great time, that everything has been an anti climax since!! But aren’t the memories great??
For us, we keep referring to this time five years ago. The honeymoon was hard to top!
I feel your pain this time last month I was on the other side of the world. Sigh.
Welcome back to reality 😂