August. Holiday month. The newspaper ‘silly season’.
With parliament in recess, ministers and members are taking a break, at home or risking an overseas trip, probably unannounced, to avoid being accused of ignoring their own rules.
It should be a time of rest, recreation and recuperation but with the pandemic still hanging over us like a cloud it is not all beer and skittles.
Foreign travel has been made a little easier with the government’s last minute change in the travel rules following intense criticism by the besieged travel industry and the public.
The ridiculous amber countries watch scheme that had hundreds of thousands frantically dashing home to avoid quarantine has gone. More people will be off to the airport, willing to jump the hurdles of extra cost of tests, the form filling and the airport queues to taste freedom.
And there is at least a much bigger choice now, dozens of countries. Another belated decision is to allow double vaccinated travellers from some countries to come here without having to quarantine.
It was heartening to see the airport reunions of families reunited, some after two years.
Despite the fickleness of our weather - from blazing sun to howling gales - most people. are enjoying holidays in the UK. Wales is one of the most popular destinations.
As for me, it will be just a ten-minute drive, by scooter, to Roath Park. When I was there on Sunday with Robert, Karen, Owen and Rufus the dog we had a picnic in the cafe, looking out onto the lake, dotted with paddle and rowing boats, back after two years.
I remember Beverley, many years ago, shouting in delight as she pedalled a tiny boat on the children’s pool, long since closed.
Among the park’s many attractions is the fragrant, multi coloured rose garden, and of course, the ice cream kiosks.
So in this summer, marred by a vicious virus, why fly hundreds or even thousands of miles when Britain has so much to offer.
No comments:
Post a Comment