What Do We Miss About Home?
Funnily enough, it’s not usually the very first pint of English ale which goes down a treat and makes me realise what I’ve been missing: no, it’s more often than not a few days after we’ve returned and we’re now settled in a pub somewhere, absorbed in chatter whilst quaffing beer and scoffing peanuts and saying to ourselves, “yeah, this feels good”. That’s the moment.
These days though, we don’t miss much about home when we travel, and it’s with a little sadness that we say we don’t miss too much about England either. Since we left these shores on our first post-retirement adventure in January 2020 we’ve spent over 600 days travelling (601 to be exact), and that’s despite all the obstacles the world threw in our way in the meantime. Given that our spells at home are short and our travel adventures are both lengthy and regular, we guess the measure of what we actually do miss when we’re away, are the things we’re eager to do when we do come home.
For me it’s simple. Beer is the obvious one: English ale consumed in English pubs is the one thing I consciously miss whilst on foreign soil, and I’m always far too keen to be sat on that bar stool once we’re back in home territory. Otherwise it’s family, particularly granddaughters, Cornwall and football – and those are in no particular order. So, having hugged and played with all three granddaughters, seen my sons and their wives, spent a week in Cornwall and seen two matches at Pride Park, there is nothing now to stop me heading for the airport once more.
For Michaela there are different priorities, so over to Michaela, in her own words….
Coming home for me means chilling out, down time after gallivanting around the world seeking adventure, getting PJ’s on at 9 pm and settling down for a bit of mindless TV, more often than not a light hearted detective series, Vera for instance.
Of course, high on the list is seeing family, they are all important but particularly my Mum, my best friend, miss her loads and it’s always fun to catch up.
Going out is such a welcome feeling when we’re back in the UK. Yes I know we are out all the time when travelling but it’s not quite the same. I miss getting my glad rags on, putting on full make-up and wearing heels, I feel more feminine again and, of course, a few inches taller than the 5 foot height which is all that I reach in flip flops.
I love catching up with friends too, what’s better than catching up with the girls, having copious amounts of Prosecco and talking rubbish, for hours. It won’t surprise anyone to know that Phil is very capable of talking crap…. but it’s just not in the same class as girlie crap, is it!
I miss cooking. Great to have the odd dinner party but just cooking with Phil in our own kitchen, having a romantic dinner at home, is something we both enjoy, and miss. Our neighbours probably don’t miss our drunken renditions of my favourite 80s songs quite so much though.
Last but not least is retail therapy. Ah, the shops. Of course I like to keep up with what’s new but replenishing travel clothes is an absolute delight.
But although I crave for all of these things towards the end of any trip, it’s never too long before I am itching to get on that next flight to head off to the next adventure. That time is now.
36 Comments
Gilda Baxter
Michaela, I can certainly relate to all the things you said you miss about being back home ( sorry Phil, but I don’t like football and not a big drinker 😂).
For me family is what I miss the most, seeing my adult kids, meeting up with my sisters and talking all day long. Also simple things like walking along the Bournemouth gardens towards the beach. A good Indian curry at our favourite restaurant or take away.
But the pull of travelling keeps us wanting to explore more of our beautiful planet. Safe travels guys.
Phil & Michaela
Actually yes – we could definitely have included a curry on our list!
Toonsarah
Like Michaela I miss the little things like chilling in front of some undemanding TV. I miss visits to our favourite coffee shops and restaurants too – I love trying new foods when travelling but meals can be a bit hit and miss, so it’s good to get back to somewhere you KNOW is going to be good! I also miss cinema visits. Finally, there are some very small but noticeable pleasures about getting back home after a trip, such as being able to clean your teeth in tap water and throw loo paper down the loo instead of remembering to put it in the bin! Sorry to lower the tone 🤪
Marie
You’ve hit the nail on the head Sarah!! Teeth cleaning and what to do with loo paper! 😅 😂 I love trying new foods – but first thing when home – a bag of chipper chips!!
Phil & Michaela
Michaela said something like “yeeeeeaaaaahhhhhh” to the chips bit!
Phil & Michaela
Yep, relate to those….even though for the first few days home we keep looking for the “loo bin” before we get used to the norm again!
Helen Devries
Our travelling days are done, more’s the pity, but I used to look forward to getting home, having a proper cup of tea and using the washing machine!
Phil & Michaela
Michaela also craves lamb with mint sauce, veg and potatoes….it’s always on the first week meal list when we get back!
grandmisadventures
This is a really lovely post. The things that make up home are the simple joys and the people we share it with. So glad you’ve had the time to enjoy those simple pleasures and so excited for your next great adventure 🙂
Suzanne@PictureRetirement
Michaela, I understand what you mean about feeling more ‘feminine’ at home. When we travel, unless it is by cruise ship, I have a pretty basic (boring) uniform of caprees, tees,and GoWalks. Baseball caps and sun visors are my friends, as are sun glasses. A good friend used to say ‘there is nothing that a pair of sunglasses and a nice lip shade won’t fix.’ The thing I miss the most when traveling is a simple meal, made in my own kitchen. We have a tendency to ‘eat local’, and we don’t always make healthy choices.
Phil & Michaela
Hi Suzanne….Michaela is nodding at your every word!
Monkey's Tale
I’m a lot like Michaela I think. I really miss cooking when we’re away as well as wearing nice clothes and makeup once in a while and meeting up with girlfriends. But then you realize that there’s a lot more to explore! Have fun on your next adventure! Maggie
Phil & Michaela
Yep, you two need to meet and talk that through one day!
Monkey's Tale
Over a glass of wine!!😊
wetanddustyroads
Family (also close friends), hanging out around our own kitchen table and that favourite beer/glass of wine … it’s always been what made us come home again! But oh, the sight of those backpacks – itchy feet for sure!
Phil & Michaela
You know, Corna….just the sound of pulling the straps on the backpacks gets us excited….nearly time!
leightontravels
I relate to most of this (except perhaps for the make-up and girlie talk). For me it’s food, football, catching up with friends & family and QPR. Every year or two (or three sometimes) I go back and get my fix. And then leave again. Safe travels!
Phil & Michaela
Interesting that you list football and QPR separately….very Freudian!! There’s a deep football fan psychology in there somewhere.
leightontravels
Ha ha, I think you’re right. As a QPR fan I “enjoy” other football as a separate thing. QPR is just… well, a bit of a burden at times to be honest.
Phil & Michaela
I was at Pride Park last night. The joy of being a “proper” fan will never leave me…even after 58 years of going to matches I STILL get that buzz as I approach a stadium. Love it.
WanderingCanadians
It’s good that you’re able to return home every so often even if you don’t miss much about home when you travel. It’s good to reconnect with family and friends and just focus on the simple things that we sometimes take for granted. Safe travels!
Alison
I think I’m with Michaela on this one, nights out with the girls or lunches would be high on my list. But mostly would be my grandchildren. Anyway you two are not away forever so you have the best of both worlds and now it’s so much easier with FaceTime or Skype. There’s always alcohol wherever you go 🍺🍻🍾🥂
Phil & Michaela
As it happens, I’ve just spent some real quality time with my youngest granddaughter (just past 2nd birthday)….my heart is still bursting. Being a Grandpa is fabulous…
Alison
Nothing like it is there 😊
Phil & Michaela
Nothing!!! ❤️
Andrew Petcher
I always miss the garden, especially the vegetable plot. I miss unpredictable English weather, I miss the Grimsby golf course. I miss indoor bowling. I miss ‘Look North’ local news on TV. I miss my own bed.
Phil & Michaela
I used to really enjoy gardening, but now in our short spells back home I am finding it a chore. My Mum will be turning in her grave as I write that!!
Andrew Petcher
Gardening is not a chore it is a challenge, a joy, a legacy.
Phil & Michaela
Yep, that’s how I used to view it….and also a great way to unwind from work pressures. Something has changed though and it just doesn’t do it for me any more.
Andrew Petcher
That’s a shame?
Andrew Petcher
What do you know about getting a visa for visiting India?
Phil & Michaela
Well we’ve just obtained ours. The fact it’s on line makes it very easy and they respond and grant it very quickly, assuming there’s no complications. It’s a lengthy and detailed form which is a bit time consuming….and you need to have already booked your flights (or whatever) in and out, and your first accommodation, in order to provide an address. Other than that it’s all straightforward, just a bit lengthy. Are you thinking of going?
Mike and Kellye Hefner
Mike and I are the same way. We love traveling and being gone from home, but it does feel good to return. I am looking forward to following your next adventure.
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers
We like being home, no plans, home cooked meals, lots of quiet time and sleeping in our own bed and recharging for the next adventure, to name a few.
Annie Berger
You must have your sons and their families close by, Phil, to be able to spend quality time with them on what sounds like brief visits home. If so, you’re truly fortunate as our four are each in a different time zone here in the US. That makes catching up and ‘knowing’ our four young grandchildren, two each in San Francisco and Chicago, difficult. We’re just getting back on the road again for several long trips after my fall in Guatemala last fall. So looking forward to exploring new vistas but home-cooked meals, time with friends, and in the therapy pool are what draws me back.
Phil & Michaela
Certainty in American terms they’re close….Steve lives around 90 minutes away and Kevin closer to three hours. My daughter, the oldest, you may remember lives in California. It’s my sons who have the granddaughters. Glad to hear you’re on the road to recovery…wishing you well Annie…x