School’s Out, Staycations are In! Summer Holidays 2021 in UK

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We have all been waiting for our freedom since Lockdown round one in Spring of 2020. Finally, after three rounds, the end is in sight. Most of the adult population in the UK is now fully vaccinated and most of the restrictions have been lifted. With many countries still on the red list, the sheer amount of paperwork for the rest, plus the cost of Covid testing and expensive hotel quarantine, is putting people off travelling abroad. Travel within the UK is on the rise. Staycations are in this summer!

This is the second year I am missing my annual trip to India to see my parents. July to September is not the best time of the year to travel to India as it is the monsoon season. Those three months are the only time you see grey skies and rainfall. If you live in India this is welcome, especially after the hot summer months from March to May. But, going from the UK where rain and grey skies are an all-year-round occurrence, it is not so appealing! If you are wondering why I travel during the monsoon – like many parents, I’m restricted to the school holidays and the longest break is the summer holiday. Most of those six weeks we spend in Hyderabad, India with my elderly parents. I do however try and escape to see more of the country. I love travelling and exploring new places. India has a rich history. There are so many palaces, forts, ancient temples to explore. Of course, the beaches are amazing too.

Although I would not recommend travelling to India during the monsoon, it is not all bad. When we lived in Pune, I looked forward to monsoon treks in the Western Ghats. The temperatures are still warm so a walk in the rain is amazing. In the Shayadri range of mountains in the Western Ghats of India, there’s plenty of waterfalls to experience a power shower too! It can be dangerous, so the best way is to organise with a trekking group or look for ‘outdoor adventure activities’. I was part of a wonderful trekking group when we lived in India. Everyone was looked after. The route well planned. Trek experts on hand. It was always fun.

Since India is still on the red list for travel and my parents are keeping well, I will be spending this summer in the UK enjoying the glorious, if unpredictable, British weather.

As an artist in Chiswick, London, it is a busy time. I have several Art Social workshops booked which are going to be in-person at various West London venues. The first one being held at the VentureX in beautiful Chiswick Business Park, followed by some workshops for kids via a community based event organiser for Hounslow Borough. I must admit, after seventeen months of running art classes on Zoom, getting back to in-person classes is proving to be a challenge. It’s adapting to change all over again!

I am also preparing for three Art Exhibitions this summer. Very excited, lots to do preparing Floral Paintings and Prints to be displayed. There will be a post soon with more about the gallery events in and around Chiswick, Brentford and Ealing – all in West London.

Wishing you all a lovely Summer. Stay well and keep safe. Hope to see you at one of my upcoming art exhibitions.

A wonderful group of creatives sharing and experimenting at Art Social workshop online

This is what Ann had to say, “A big thank you for arranging the art class – lovely and relaxing and the teacher is so nice too plus a great pack – thanks for this art class, helps me have a break from a lot of stress of care duties which I do every week to disabled persons and their children.“

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