The Not-So-Grand Covid Holidays 2020

Our Best-Laid Plans

Oh, what grand plans we had, or at least what we thought were grand plans! The year was 2020, the world was collectively battling a pandemic, and we were preparing for what we’ll affectionately call the “Covid Holidays.” In other words, staycation 2020 – not the holidays we’d originally envisioned.

A Milestone Celebration Gone Awry

For the better part of a year, we’d been meticulously planning an extravagant holiday in California and Hawaii, all in the name of celebrating Michele’s fiftieth birthday in style. It was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, but as the saying goes, “Man plans, and the universe laughs.”

The original blueprint was nothing short of spectacular. We’d booked our flights with Virgin Atlantic, opting for premium seats, and secured the pièce de résistance – seats on the upper deck of a jumbo jet. Our journey was set to begin at Manchester, with a stopover in New York’s JFK before the final stretch to San Francisco with Delta.

A Road Trip Down Memory Lane (Almost)

After spending three glorious nights in San Francisco, we’d charted a leisurely course down the picturesque West Coast of the US, ultimately ending in Los Angeles. The plan was to fly to the enchanting Hawaiian Islands from LA, with Kauai as our first stop for three nights, followed by four heavenly nights in Maui, and a climactic crescendo with three nights in the bustling hub of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Our journey would then loop back to Manchester, with a single night in Los Angeles.

It was the dream trip we’d envisioned for Michele’s milestone birthday. A treat for a half-century well-lived, a celebration of love, life, and adventure. Until it wasn’t.

The Unwanted Guest: Covid-19

You guessed it, the elephant in the room – the Corona virus pandemic. It had been wreaking havoc on the world for the past nine to ten months, and as fate would have it, our meticulously planned dream vacation crumbled in its wake.

The Impromptu Staycation

Faced with the stark reality that international travel was a no-go, we were left with two options: let disappointment cast its shadow or embrace the idea of holidaying at home, in good ol’ Blighty.

The UK Beckons

So, we decided to make the most out of what was now our Covid Holidays. We were determined to transform our staycation into something spectacular, or at least as spectacular as circumstances would allow.

The Chronicles of Our Lockdown Adventure

Now, in my typical style, I’ve documented our staycation journey through a series of blog posts. You can explore our staycation escapades by following the links below. But, I’ll confess, some days were a tad less exciting, merely dedicated to domestic chores and other mundane activities, hardly worth a blog post.

Here are some highlights from our unforgettable Covid Holidays at home:

Hitting the Beach (Yes, the UK Has Beaches!)

One of our ‘staycation’ outings took us to the charming seaside town of Blackpool. Sure, it might not have had the same allure as a Hawaiian beach, but the British coast holds its own rustic charm. Michele got to celebrate her fiftieth by the sea, albeit a different sea than we’d originally planned.

A Slice of Paradise in Our Backyard

We couldn’t be in Hawaii, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying a bit of tropical paradise. Our garden became our sanctuary, adorned with Hawaiian-themed decorations and filled with the soul-soothing sound of ukuleles. We even tried our hands at making tropical cocktails – coconut-flavored umbrella drinks and all!

(stop dreaming Gary your not that romantic!)

The Great British Road Trip

Since we couldn’t drive down the US West Coast, we opted for a road trip through the UK. While it wasn’t Route 66, it did have its share of beautiful countryside, historic landmarks, and unexpected detours that we’ll cherish forever.

Rainy Days and Netflix Nights

Let’s face it; not every day was sunshine and smiles. Some days were gloomy, which meant cozying up indoors with a Netflix binge. We discovered new favorite shows, recipes, and, of course, perfected the art of the ‘duvet cocoon.’

So, What’s Next?

While the Covid Holidays were not what we’d envisioned, they were undoubtedly memorable. As the world adapts and evolves in the face of ongoing challenges, so too must we.

The Grand Finale

We may not have spent Michele’s fiftieth birthday soaring above the clouds in first-class luxury or relaxing on sandy Hawaiian beaches, but we did make memories. After all, isn’t that what any holiday should be about?

Stay tuned for our upcoming adventures, whatever they may be, as we continue to embrace the changing landscape of travel and life.