Vacation Contrarian

We were tardy in booking our winter break this year and so ended up tossing all and sundry into the Landcruiser and heading north to our customary summer haunt. I had been emphatic this July we were to escape the blustery and bleak Sydney winter for at least a week and had investigated all manner of island alternatives, albeit at the very last minute. The late hour suggested our options were not great, hence the decision to take the safe and known course. So mid north coast it was.

Two advantages to the holiday were evident up front – inexpensive and low admin. Out of season rates shared with another family – almost cheaper than staying home! And…no dogs to kennels, no passports, airports, transfers – toss the boogy boards and beach bats in the rear and head out onto the delightfully traffic free highway. As it turned out I vastly underrated the week away – it turned out to be a most enjoyable and restful break for adults and kids alike. We concluded that it’s actually not a bad way to do holidays: buck the trend and brave your favourite resort when everyone else is headed in the opposite direction.

We did have the weather to thank for a great deal of our fortune – clear sunny skies all week. We effortlessly changed our summer routines to fit the short days and long nights. Instead of January’s mad rush to hit the sand before it turns to molten ash and the sun sears all to a cinder, we had a leisurely morning walk followed by breakfast, sometimes barely making the beach by noon. But no fear, the sun’s feeble rays kept us mildly warm, the sea’s temperate 19 degrees meant often more comfortable in than out, so the waves were well frequented (ok the kids did prefer their wetsuits…). Evenings meant games, TV, a huge log fire and a glass or few of pinot.

As for the shopping, out of season customer service reaches new heights. Instead of jostling sweaty hordes for overpriced resources, we were able to amble in to the local store at any time to secure our daily needs. Friendly and grateful staff went out of their way to fulfill our every desire. For instance, one evening we’d misplaced our especially purchased parmesan – a core ingredient for dinner, and so tore back to replace, only to find the owner having locked up and headed home. But when he saw our evident distress, he could not have been more accommodating, opening up the shop so we could repurchase the cheese. Smiles and good humour all round.

As friends and family post their gorgeous photos of hot European summer, perfect Perisher powder, sublime island getaway, our break seems pretty pedestrian and I’m sure no-one will be gagging to view our pics. But we are all blissfully rested and non-jetlagged, and I am thankful for the added bonus of no long-term pain in the form of a whopping credit card bill.