HOLIDAYS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 88, 4 December 1931, Page 6

HOLIDAYS

By Frederick Stubbs, F.R.G.S. (All Rights Reserved) "When Summer brings its well-won rest, And, doffing toil once more, We take our journey, East or West, To mountain, lake or shore." The approach of Christmas and the New Year is inevitably associated in this country with holiday and sport. Yisions of jaunts into the country and of excursions to the seaside are conjured up at the very mention of the season. And surely it is good that a holiday from wonted work and the cares and anxieties inseparable from the business of living should occasionally be taken. As Dryden says, "Better to hunt in" fields for health unbought, Then fee the doctor for a nauseous draught." Even horses are put out to grass. All forms of animal life have their periods of relaxation and rest, and it is the same in the vegetable kingdom. We permit the land to lie fallow, to be unproductive, for a season that it may recover its strength.' Nay, examples might be given even from the mineral kingdom. Male readers will have ohserved how a razor benefits by being laid by for a time, the edge, after a rest, coming back of its own accord. I am told that even barbers occasionally adopt this plan. Yes, I think those of us who love a holiday from work may fairly claim that Nature is on our side. "What is this life, if full of care, We have no time to stand and stare; No time to stand beneath the bouglis, And stare as long as sheep and cows'; A poor life this if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare." Brain-workers need a holiday in the fresh air and amid unaccustomed scenes even more than manual v/orkers. In brain-work there is a greater expenditure of nervous energy (I have often thought that it is a defect of the Labour Parties that they hardly recognise the brain-worker as a worker at all. When they speak of the rights of the workers they seem invariably to have manual labour in mind). Muscular- labour is often hard labour, but — as physiology demonstrates — it is healthy labour. Art of Making Holiday. But granting the desirability, it is not everyone that knows how to take a holiday. Where shall we go ? What clothes shall we wear? What shall we eat and drink? Who shall go with us ? These questions have an important bearing on the success of our holiday and must be decided before we start. We are not all asfortunate as the clerk whose friend complained to him of his perplexities in regard to his holiday. "Oh, it does not bother me in the least," replied che clerk, "the boss tells me when to ?o and the wife tells rne where." But even when these important questions are decided for us, others remain. My advice, born of considerable experience is, first, to be prepared for any weather. Even among the most beautiful surroundings it is miserable to find oneself shivering in the cold or melting in the heat.

Comfort in this respect is to be considered more than appearances if the holiday it to be a success. It makes a tremendous difference whether you are physically ,comfortable or not. Even an ill-fitting or thin-soled shoe may be disastrous, and if the season should prove cold or wet, it is possible tq return home less fit than you went. As for food and drink, these should be plain and simple. No need for mxuries; these can be had better and more cheaply at home. It is unfortunately not uncommon for people on holiday to gorge themselves with indigestible food until they become torpid and irritable. As to where to go, it is obvious that the sedentary should have vigorous exercise in view, walking, swimming, golfing, tennis, whilst' the wearied industrialist or tired mother will seek some quiet spot. For such, rest is needed more than exercise. Recrea-

tion not dissipation — of our powers is the intention of all true holidaymaking. And do not attempt too much. In regard to travel, I have often advised people to limit their programme. It is foolish to make labour of a holiday; to load the precious hours with tasks that must be accomplished before rest can be taken. A few places visited leisurely will alford more pleasure, be intellectually more profitable, and cost less in money and exhaustion than a long list. Don't he hustled or hlirried. "Begone, Dull Care!" And leave your cares at home. I have known sensible people even deeline to have letters sent after them, for letters may open up all sorts of disagreeable problems and have to be answered. The farther from Fost Offices and telegraphs the better. Disagreeable things may be happening, but whilst seeking renewal of health and strength it is better to know nothing about them!. If a man has laboured honestly and done his best, and provided for the carrying on of the business or the home during his absence, he ought to be philosopher enough to avoid worry and anxiety during his holiday. If one is still worrying and planning, where does the holiday come in ? Plan nothing, worry about nothing, forget the past, ignore the future, let the brain lie fallow, rest and enjoy yourself. Holiday Companions. Some think there should be none.

Hazlitt m his delicious essay "On Going a Journey," says: "One of the pleasantest things in the world is going a journey. The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty to think, feel, do just as one pleases." There is a good deal of truth in this. It is fine to think that you can or do as you please without having to consult the wishes of anyone else. At the same time holidaying alone has its drawbacks. The first and most ob- 1 vious is that one has no one to share the labours or responsibilities that inevitably arise. Then — though one i need not anticipate these — there is | always the possibility of accident or j sickness, and to be alone — ill — with- j out a single friend — I know from j painful experience can be very distressing. Most people, too, are possessed of social instincts which prompt ! to companionship, conversation, ; amusement, so, on the whole, it Seems j to me that the balance of advantage j lies with the companion. But it must I be a congenial, and, may I add, good- I tempered and patient companion. A j

selfish companion, always desiring his (or her) own way would ruin all. Leave him (or her) at home, and rather go alone. One always meets some friendly, companionable soul on the road. It is often a good thing to have a change even when an agreeable companion is availabie. Let the husband occasionally go off with some old school or college chum; the wife with an early friend (lady, of course), perhaps visiting the scenes of her girlhood. The essential thing is as complete a change as possible. Some happily-married people have told me that their union is all the happier for an occasional break. Love of Nature. It almost goes without saying that to the tired brain-worker a love of Nature is one of the most precious possessions during a holiday. How grateful to the frayed nerves is the bush-clad gully, the shade of great trees, the cheerful murmur of a mountain stream, the musical fall of the waves upon the shore, the joyous notes of singing birds, the busy hum of insects (not too near!). It makes one feel — "How good is man's life, the mere living! How fit to employ All the heart and the soul and the senses for ever in joy." Get out into the open air where fresh breezes will blow away the cobwebs, "These are the things I prize And hold of dearest worth; Peace of the silent hills, I Shelter of forests, comfort of the grass, Music of birds, murmur of little rills, Shadows of clouds that swiftly pass, And after showers The smell of flowers And of the good brown earth; And best of all along the way, friendship and niirth." — (H. Van Dyke) |