What's something you secretly liked about quarantine?

Holly Jane said:

Though it sounds bad, that part I miss the most

NT Society says it sounds bad.   I think it is understandable, and to an extent, I agree with what you say.

I liked the fact we had an justifiable reason not to go out and integrate - aside from ASD.   No justification required.

Now many of us feel we have to justify again when we can't face the world. 

I would love to live in a seaside town or village but the crowds during peak times would be too much for me to handle. I went to town this morning just for a few bits and it was heaving in there… The people and noise were overwhelming and when I got back to my car I sat in there for 5 and focused on my breathing to calm myself down again.

Meltdown avoided, but the exhaustion I’ve been left with now is difficult.

I can’t imagine what it’s like living by the seaside and dealing with the tourists.

If I lived there I would go to the beach and build an almighty impenetrable sand-fortress to hide from the people, whilst ensuring I still get a pretty view of the sea and easy access to the toy shops lol. Always get the best toys at the seaside

I would love to live in a seaside town or village but the crowds during peak times would be too much for me to handle. I went to town this morning just for a few bits and it was heaving in there… The people and noise were overwhelming and when I got back to my car I sat in there for 5 and focused on my breathing to calm myself down again.

Meltdown avoided, but the exhaustion I’ve been left with now is difficult.

I can’t imagine what it’s like living by the seaside and dealing with the tourists.

If I lived there I would go to the beach and build an almighty impenetrable sand-fortress to hide from the people, whilst ensuring I still get a pretty view of the sea and easy access to the toy shops lol. Always get the best toys at the seaside

We??? What do you mean we?

I have no idea what this member is talking about.... 

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

Beaches, like the countryside, can be beautiful.  As soon as loads of people arrive its spoiled. 

Always. People ruin everything....

No problem.:)

I've enjoyed reading your messages on this thread. It's been interesting and funny reading. I love how friendly this community is.

 Holly Jane  Sorry for hijacking your thread with this   I'd like to say we've not done it before, but I can't.   I'd also like to promise it won't happen again, but I can't do that either !  BUT it wasn't intentional, honestly 

I don't actually have dairy nor much gluten.  I do have plenty buscopan, and I did have to pinch myself when you said what you said in the previous comment.   I blame years of anxiety.

I'm actually the sort of person that if someone says 'send 1 picture' there will be 10 and if someone wants 10 there will be 100.  It's the way my mind works.  I haven't figured out why.  I suppose it's because I think if one is good then 100 must be brilliant, right?  

Yeah, normally they have old planes from WW2 and even the Red Arrows which you've likely  heard of (or can Google / watch on YouTube).  Airshow week gets seriously busy, but fortunately I can see all that from my window !   I'm not going near thousands of people for the sakes of planes. 

I think it is worse because most of the people wandering around walk like NTs.  You know?  They wander.  They amble.  They don't have a purpose or plan.   They clog up the pavements and get in the way!!   If they were all ND they'd probably all walk quicker and we'd all be much happier.  I mean, if I lived in ND town it would be brilliant, but you have to share 

So yeah, I'll go to parts of town that aren't busy with tourists or at times of day when they are mostly in bed.  Or when its raining !!  That keeps them away 

Beaches, like the countryside, can be beautiful.  As soon as loads of people arrive its spoiled. 

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

In fact, if it wasn't for all the people it would be a great place to live

Lol my thoughts exactly  I see so many nice places and just think if only it was peopleless lmao.

Luckily where I am it's mostly people free, just see some hikers during nicer months.

The air show sounds impressive where you are. I have an interest in planes, not sure why I just think they are remarkably cool - terrifying too, I would never fly lol but I think they are fab machines.

When my town gets busy I try to avoid it, the noise and amount of people can be too overwhelming to cope with. I don't want a meltdown in front of everyone! Do you stay in when it's busy, or brave the crowds?

overwhelmed & underwhelmed ( O & U ) said:

I'm going to have to search for gluten-free ice cream down there now (really haven't seen it) but I've seen gluten free batter in the fish & chip shops so probably....   

Definitely do. It still tastes really good.... And no icky side effects, usually! 

No one can resist towels and umbrellas lmao 

The rainbow coloured ones are the best!!!

We'll need a collage of pics! Then we can send them off for judging for sand castle competitions!!! 

They still do all the things you'd associate with the seaside.  We have all of it, and more.  We have one of those massive observation wheels too.  We have an Air Show every year and a Carnival with a week's worth of events including digging things up in the sand.  This town even has it's own Pride event. 

Sandcastles?   Not a problem.  

In fact, if it wasn't for all the people it would be a great place to live   In truth, when the holidaymakers go home, it's just like anywhere else - and it's actually very peaceful in the Winter.  

I'm going to have to search for gluten-free ice cream down there now (really haven't seen it) but I've seen gluten free batter in the fish & chip shops so probably....   

Who can resist towels and umbrellas?  I should be so lucky ! 

I've got a funny feeling that one photo isn't going to be enough !  

I’m not a monster!

I would lay some towels down for you, and prop up an umbrella to shield you from the sun – oh and I would provide you with an ice cream. I love ice cream from the seaside, has to be dairy/gluten free otherwise my IBD gets triggered

It would be worth it for the pic. You could even take part in a sand castle competition!!!

Is that even a thing?

*Googles quickly*

YES they are real, for children and professionals lol 

That would be cool in conversation though "What do you do?"

"Oh I'm a sand castle professional. I've even won competitions!"

‘Sandcastle competitions are organized events where individuals or teams create sand structures, often on a beach, and compete for prizes based on creativity, technical skill, and overall design. These competitions can be open to all ages and skill levels, from children's contests to professional events.’ – from Google.

Sand between the toes is the absolute worst thing ever! Or one of the worst things ever! It’s got to be as bad if not worse than stubbing your toe or getting stung by a bee…

I used to hate it getting in my hair too. But then my hair is super sensitive I hate anything touching it, even ME!

Yeah true lol they are a waste of money. Better buying one from a shop or you can get cute second hand ones from ebay for a good price sometimes. I have hundreds of Ty bears and they mostly came from ebay.

Lol I’ll send it off to experts to see if it’s a dupe

SO it's okay that I get exposed to the sand, just as long as you don't ??  Is that fair? 

Not only do I have to walk in it, but stand there digging in it like a maniac too - just to make an impressive photo 

I did hate sand but narrowed it down to dry sand, not wet sand - so I was okay paddling in the sea etc - and if I put a massive towel close by I normally managed to avoid getting any dried between the toes which was the worst nightmare of all. 

Yeah.  I'll write Wales comes to the seaside in the sand so you know I'm not faking the picture  
And no, I'm not playing the grabber machines to win a plush teddy.  They are so fixed.  They might be adorable but it would be cheaper to buy the teddy in a shop !!  

If I was a tourist I would stay inside my flat or caravan all day and wait to come back home lol

Well I might go to those teddy machines and try to win an adorable bear as well… I’ve never been any good at those though.

I prefer sand beaches But I hate the feel of sand on my skin. As a child I would cry if I got sand on me, hated the feel of it and wouldn’t walk on it, my poor dad had to carry me on and off the beach (unrelated to why he’s got a chronic bad back now lmao)

I would love a pic!

And why would anybody NOT want to build a sand fortress? Get a plastic spade or 2 (in case 1 breaks! Solid advice!) and you’re already halfway there

(Writes this and wonders where it'll lead  )

The thing is the tourists stick to the town.  The shops, the arcades, the rides, the pier, the takeaways.  And that suits them because I guess that's what they came for.  

If I was a tourist I'd probably want that - cramming in touristy things in my holiday

But there are nicer, better beaches that don't have all the facilities where you get peace all year round, so there's that.  

Oh.  And it's sand beaches, not nasty stones.  

I might even send you a picture one day, but I'm not exhausting myself digging you a sand-fortress