Prison Break

Your post lockdown escape

Having the Budget Getaways bargain seeking adventurer locked down at home over the past few weeks, sure has come with its challenges. Most of us have had to endure days of confined space, You Tube fitness regimes and a home on the brink of destruction due to couped up kids and adults alike. Even that occasional two minute “road trip” to the supermarket, mask and all, has become a cherished voyage, nearly always resulting in a few extra kays of “sneaky sightseeing” on the route home.

So what happens as and when the national lockdown is over? Will front doors burst open and have us all running out onto the streets, hugging our neighbours (maybe that’s going a bit far at this stage) and celebrating the freedom we’d taken for granted before the days of Corona? Can’t say the thought of celebrating life beyond the driveway hasn’t passed through my mind each morning, as I gaze longingly through that wooden fence, out onto a street that's become so quite, it looks a little like the R325 between Doringbos and Blikkesfontein.

So, how about a little post-prison escape, a celebratory jaunt to somewhere different, somewhere that gives you that sense of freedom you've been longing for. You need to do it, but keep these handy tips in mind.

The boodle: Now, let’s face it, no-one’s exactly rolling in cash right now, so budget is key. Luckily you’re in the right place to find a suitable getaway that isn’t going to put your bank account into lockdown.

Distance from home: Goes hand-in-hand with point one, apart from your fuel costs, you don’t want to be spending your new found freedom behind the wheel of a car trying to reach some far-flung destination. Keep it close to home, a spot you can reach within a couple of hours.

Think big skies: After a few weeks pacing around your front garden, the last thing you want is a weekend of boundaries. Think open space and think FREEDOM! You want to wake up, throw those doors open, curl your hands around a steaming cuppa and know that all that open space is yours to explore. Bike, hike, run, swim, paddle (believe me, even the most unlikely athlete will feel the urge to run after lockdown).

While the lockdown blues have hit hard for many, we’ve all managed to come out the other side. Life's changed a bit, but nothing beats the open road and the chance to explore. Take a deep breath, open that door and head out, you’ll appreciate this escape from home like never before.