24 hours in Yarmouth and the benefits of taking off on mini adventures

The first weekend in March can be complete potluck with regard to the weather. I know this because my birthday falls around the same time. 2022 chose to be grey and bitterly cold. But it also turned out to be one of the happiest 24 hours and a complete tonic to get me through until the warmer days show up. 

My best friend of over 40 years joined me on a quick hop on a ferry across to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight. There is something so decadent in leaving one piece of the earth and travelling by whatever means to another – even if it is no more than 5 miles in total.

It was distance enough to make us feel carefree, liberated and open to adventure

And this is exactly what we got 

A long lunch at a glorious rooftop terrace stretched out into the afternoon, cocktails that were not even on the menu and friendly conversations with complete strangers made us happily lose track of time.

A giddy check in at The George Hotel where the staff matched our high spirits was an unexpected stylish surprise; at first glance a typical oak panelled sort of establishment but a closer look uncovered quirky touches such as “The Wall of George” and sofa covered in labels from an assortment of jeans. I might not be selling it here but when I describe the breath-taking view of the garden leading down to a private beach then I hope you get the picture.

A group of female friends had taken over the lounge to celebrate a special birthday (40th at a guess) and were making the most of being able to do this due to the quiet time of year. They were dressed as if going to one of London’s finest - fabulous and vibrant.

Out for dinner at the renowned Salty’s - making the most of being able to get a table before the summer crowds arrive and then the sound of live music from the pub opposite drew us in for what was meant to be a nightcap. We eventually rolled back to our room in the early hours having been welcomed so warmly by the locals.

Sunday was sunny but still cold so we went for a slow ramble along the pier and then on to “Off the rails” for morning coffee. We recognised a crowd from the night before who were eating off their hangovers with the award winning breakfasts. Back on the ferry and home exactly 24 hours later.

We hadn’t planned, prepared an agenda or even discussed what we wanted. We were both rung out and exhausted from work and life. How easy it would have been to have simply not bothered what with so many other demands on our time and finances. But the benefits were priceless. 

Yes, we felt weary from too late a night and too much to drink but equally we felt inspired, relaxed and with a whole new take on issues that had been weighing heavy. 

Why don’t we do this more often?

Why do we feel we need to travel further afield meaning more time and associated hassle spent travelling and less time enjoying ourselves?

And why don’t we value what is on our doorstep and really make the most?

Does it feel too self-indulgent?

Or like we don’t deserve it?

But what would we have done with that time instead? Fretted over chores while the time slips away? Given in to the insidious worry about what the week ahead might bring?

Taking off on mini adventures can reduce stress, encourage creativity, and even provide solutions to problems because we are simply more open and relaxed. We feel lighter for dropping the weight of responsibility even if just for a short time. 

So where to next? A mooch around Southbourne or Winchester for me…. How about you?