Friday 11 July 2014

Word of The Week - Holidays

Posted by Rosie
The Reading Residence

Holidays

ˈhäliˌdā/
noun
plural noun: holidays
a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done




Both boys are finally on holiday.  Tom broke up earlier than Ben but now they have both now bid farewell to lessons and homework for what is an 8 week break here in France.  But before you think it is unfair that they have longer holidays than back in the UK do bear this in mind:

For secondary schools the hours are 7.50am to 4.35pm 
and for primary 8.45am to 4.15pm.  
Those are very long days and both boys are now enjoying a well earned rest.

We do not have anything particular planned for the holidays - it is nigh on impossible to get away as a family when you have a gite and animals on a smallholding.  Simon will however probably take the boys camping for a while (yay - I get the WHOLE bed to myself!) and we will fit in various day trips as and when.  We are only about an hour from the beach so I am sure we'll be up having some beach days and there are a few WWII museums I would like to visit up along the coast.


For the boys though, living here at Eco-Gites of Lenault has some huge advantages:  
  • There is a steady stream of children coming to stay in the gite with whom friendships are usually quickly forged.
  • We have space - lots of space.  The boys have oodles of space to do all the things that boys should be doing - running, cycling, den building, playing etc.
  • We have the play area - swings, towers, slide, climbing wall - all perfect for creating the sort of adventures 11 and 12 year old boys love to act out. 
  • Friends - the boys are old enough now to head off by bike to meet with nearby friends - we might be out in the sticks but they have plenty of friends locally.
  • With just a little imagination there is plenty to occupy their time - they may be a little old for a few of the ideas here but I am sure they will be doing some of these things over the next few weeks.

8 weeks holidays may seem like a very long time but I know it will pass all too quickly. Now though I am sure it feels like an eternity to the boys, a time of everlasting play and just the odd nagging from Mum and Dad to practice the saxophone, do a bit of catching up on French grammar or TIDY UP YOUR BEDROOM NOW please!!

Are your children on holiday yet or does holidays mean something different to you?  Please do let us know in a comment.
 

22 comments :

  1. Sounds busy, and hopefully busy enough to combat the "I'm bored...." Conversation - have fun x

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    1. I hope so too - or the "Can I go on the computer/watch TV" moan when the sun is shining and the world is their oyster.

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  2. I so love holidays from school! When I was a student I attend the same school time in the Philippines too! And we dont have half term breaks. Time do fly fast when you are on a school summer holiday =P #wotw

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  3. Wow they are long hours, so I imagine they are more than ready for the school holidays :) #Wotw

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  4. I always love holidays.
    In fact, I am more busy in holidays rather than normal days! :P

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    1. That is often the case but maybe a different sort of busy.

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  5. Holidays were awesome back in school days. It reminds me of the golden days :)

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  6. Oh wow! What long school days you have...My girls break up next week!
    It sounds like they are not going to be bored at all though....So many adventures to have x

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    1. So far we have only heard the "B" word twice, both times when the boys were very tired.

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  7. I can't imagine the boys will be bored at Eco-Gites. I remember my school holidays lasting for ever and ever - 8 weeks of fun!

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    1. Occasionally they are but I have lots of suggestions of what they can do of the "B" word is uttered. Asking them to empty the dishwasher seems to enable them to find things to do all of a sudden ;)

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  8. Wow they certainly do have long days! I dread hearing "I'm bored!" during the holidays. Hope you all have a lovely summer x #WotW

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    1. Hopefully if the "B" word crops up you can refer to this list for some inspiration!

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  9. Mine both break up on Friday which seems to the earliest they have finished. Sadly they don't have the space your wonderful site has but we do have a country park nearby.

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    1. Our boys are very lucky but a country park nearby sounds good.

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  10. 8 weeks does sound like such a long time, but I know from bitter experience that when it's holiday time it goes stupidly fast! Sounds like your boys are in for lots of fun! Hope they have a great summer!

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    1. Thank you - I am sure you are right and it will fly by.

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  11. There are many advantages to living there, and it must be great to see them enjoying the space and all it has to offer. I hope you all have a lovely 8 weeks :) Thanks for sharing with #WotW x

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    1. Thank you Jocelyn - it's all going well so far ;)

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    2. Thank you Jocelyn - it's all going well so far!

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