Christie relaxing in Florida
A huge ‘Hooray!’ As I introduce Christie Barlow, author of the fabulous A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, http://www.amazon.co.uk/A-Year-Life-Playground-Mother/dp/1495288773, who is going to share her Hot Holidays! with us.
In her own words, Christie is ‘a 5ft 5 brunette born in the county of Cheshire. Now at the ripe old age of 42 I lead nothing but a glamorous lifestyle, ironing, mucking out chickens and horses and chasing the mad cocker spaniel that has usually pinched my shoes.
I’m a mum to four, wife to one and have more animals than the local zoo. From the young age of 19 I had a very successful career in the civil service and worked my way up from a general admin assistant to managing my own job centre.
Once I fell pregnant in 1998 and my first child was born in July 1999 my priorities changed overnight, I preferred building Lego houses, baking cakes and days out at the park with my daughter Emily so a career break was decided.
We enjoyed our time at home that much that I went on to have three more children – Jack, Ruby and Tilly.
Once hitting my mid-life crisis (but dodging the tattoo and the fast car) after wholly dedicating my life to the care of my children, they asked me what I wanted to do. “I always wanted to write a book,” I found myself answering. And so the idea was born.’
ES: Can you start by telling us where you spent your last holiday and why you chose to go there?
CB: For my last holiday I travelled to Orlando Florida with my family. For the last ten years we have owned a holiday villa there, it is my second home! All my children have aspirations of living and working in America one day and you certainly can’t beat the Florida sun.
ES: Sounds wonderful. No wonder you look so relaxed in the photo. I think I probably know the answer to my next question: What’s your favourite type of holiday?
CB: My favourite type of holiday is one of complete relaxation staying in a villa with a pool and it’s a bonus if there is a beach nearby. On holiday I just want to curl up on a sun lounger with a good book! This is an ideal opportunity to catch up on all the fabulous authors that I have been meaning to read all year whilst the children enjoy their time playing in the pool or sea.
ES: And your least favourite?
CB: My least favourite holiday is one of chaos. I am not a fan of all inclusive holidays where the meal times are a clatter of noise and buffet food and the pools are packed to the brim with holiday makers.
ES: I hear you! Where did you spend your best ever holiday and what made it so memorable?
CB: My best ever holiday was a surprise holiday to New York for my 40th Birthday! With four children and numerous animals it was a military operation for my husband to ensure they were all cared for whilst we were away! My husband planned the trip and we arrived just before New Year’s Eve. I felt like I was living in a fairy-tale due to the light snow falling all around us when we stepped onto the pavements of New York City. We spent New Year’s Eve enjoying the atmosphere in Time Square and for my birthday on New Year’s Day we soared over New York City by helicopter and topped the day off Ice skating in Central Park! Not only was it the best holiday but I recognised a couple sat at the bar in the hotel, my best friends had flown out to join us – a fantastic surprise!
ES: I got goose pimples as you said that. New York is one of my favourite cities and it’s lovely to hear the lengths your husband went to for you. A true holiday to remember. But are there any holidays to remember for all the wrong reasons? Any holiday or travel disasters?
CB: The only thing that springs to mind was back in my twenties. I flew on a girly holiday with my friend to Corfu. It was the first time either of us had travelled abroad. The apartment was absolutely awful, very basic and it was situated next to the busiest noisiest restaurant in the street. One evening returning from the beach we glanced over the balcony and noticed a couple having a romantic meal on the balcony below. The gentleman retrieved a red box from his pocket and flipped the box open to reveal a ring. Looking on from up above my friend threw her towel over the balcony to dry out in the sunshine just as the words “Will you marry me” were spoken from the man below. At the very same moment a pair of bikini bottoms that were wrapped up in the towel fell and landed straight onto the head of the proposing man!
ES: Oh no! Awkward! Can you us about a place you long to visit and the reasons why?
CB: I would love to visit Australia. I have lots of family that emigrated there and it would be fantastic to take the children. We are currently planning this trip.
ES: Who’s your favourite travelling companion(s) or do you prefer your own company?
CB: I can’t say I have a favourite travelling companion as such. I prefer to go on holiday with my family. We have one set of friends that we occasionally share our holiday with. Once the children have gone to bed we all enjoy a game of cards and a few cheeky beers around the pool.
ES: Ever had a holiday romance? Details, please!
CB: I’m afraid I can neither confirm or deny!
ES: Hmm! How would you spend your dream twenty-four hours if you could travel to multiple, worldwide destinations with no travel restrictions?
CB: When I was a child my Father worked in China, I would love to spend twenty-four hours with him visiting all the fantastic places he used to tell us about when he returned home especially the Great Wall of China.
ES: And finally, what tip or piece of advice would you give to holidaymakers and/or travellers?
CB: Always shop around for great deals and always consider recommendations from people who you know have had great holidays with fantastic customer service.
Thank you so much, Christie.
Christie’s latest book, Beyond the School Gates, will be out shortly.
