Wherever you are Clare, good luck, and I hope I’m more than your skiing klutz ex, and we can smile now at how life turns on holiday.
Of course, there was more loathing than loving, when I careened into you on the Aviemore nursery ski slopes in Scotland.
And your thigh came up a vibrant plum, which I was reminded of later in the health suite.
And after stolen moments with your girlfriend throughout the day I got the ‘talk’ later in the chalet.
Maybe what doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger but it doesn’t feel like it one day into a week-long ski break.
Finding each other on holiday
Nor is it ever any solace to hear friends tell you it happens to other people and you’ll bounce back.
But one in five of us apparently really does opt to end a relationship among the towels and tequilas.
Probably not to be advised, and very honest of our friends at loveholidays to flag up this downside of a break.
Slippery slope
Of course, there is no blame here over today’s Scary One trying to lose me on an island off Dubrovnik on our pearl anniversary break.
Because like most couples we have had our stress points over 31 years vacationing.
Although I had learned my lesson when opting to ski past our meeting point on the Soll slopes.
Rather than attempt a turn which may have seen her go the same way as Clare.
Decisions, decisions, decisions
Of course, every adventure or misadventure has the capacity to lead us in a different direction.
Borne out by a loveholidays survey which shows that more than half of Irish adults (56%) make life-changing decisions away.
The survey of 1,000 holidaymakers showed that one in three changed careers.
While one in five made the decision to move or buy a property.
A new life
It was, of course, less of a holiday for us, than a family occasion but both rolled into one into Co. Wicklow.
And little did the Scary One know that Bray would become our nearest big town as I sprang a job move on her weeks later.
And we embarked on 13 years in Ireland from the coastal idyll of Greystones.
Psychologist Jo Hemmings said: ‘When we step away from our routines, something magical happens.’
With magical being different to everyone.
The top ten
A diet or lifestyle overhaul.
Signed up for something (e.g. gym, course, volunteering).
Quit your job.
Bought property or decided to move.
Decided to start a family.
End a relationship.
Planned to start a business.
Spontaneous proposal.
Decided to elope for your wedding.
Now whatever is on your mind or gets you thinking when you’re away.
The best decision you can take is just to get away and, as is the way of it, this is how our holidaymakers draw us in.
Because life turns on holiday and it’s up to us how quickly that is.
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