Like probably most on here my asthma is definitely affected by cold, and now I am also increasingly noticing the effect of damp. So the rain that has been about the last few days hasn’t done a lot of good for me.
We are now thinking of good places to go for a winter holiday. Given climate change etc I would strongly prefer to go by train so thinking south of Europe. Does anyone know of places that are sort of renowned for being places where people of old, pre Ventolin, would flock to for improved conditions during winter? Currently we are thinking Sicily (want to go there anyway) or Almería region of Spain. Also, is there any place at all that you have experienced as better within the U.K.? I live in York which I like a lot, but it is known as a dank place as it is situated on the river bottom of a prehistoric wide, huge river.
I remember well how I felt let out of prison when we went to Marrakesh a year and a half ago in April - suddenly I could walk about with ease again! But I also felt similarly last July when I went to north Sweden, as it has a drier climate than U.K.
I am interested in any ideas and experiences.
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Wheezycat
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60 years ago the doctor recommended that my mother should live in Devon on the south side. She had bronchitis rather than asthma. A family friend was also recommended to do that. However I know the saying "glorious Devon, rains 6 days out of 7". Make of that what you will.
I note your comment about not wanting to fly because of climate change. My view is a little more selfish and I do my best to be environmentally friendly but I fly! I have asthma, bronchiectasis and am recovering from 18 months on 3 AB every day for NTM. A few days after I came off the AB, we went to a remote part of Cuba with lovely fresh air. I had been very poorly and my husband walked me up and down the beautiful beach and after a few days he said he had 'got me back'. We went to Turkey very recently (with Thomas Cook and many thanks CAA) and I only used my reliever inhaler once at the hotel and then once again because of the air conditioning in the transfer bus. We are going to India for three weeks this winter. I am unable to go to cities or towns but choose very quiet places with very little traffic and next to the beach. All this was within 12 months because I managed to get an annual travel insurance but it was expensive.
It is an individual choice isn’t it, and if it really helps your health that matters. We have travelled a fair amount and seen many interesting places, but now I am trying to reign that in, especially as there are many corners of Europe we haven’t been to. I still fly when I go to Sweden as it is quite a faff getting there by train, though it can be done. The ships, and later ferries, that were around when I was a child are all gone. Luckily I am so far less sensitive to outdoor air pollution than the indoor variety, so cities are fine at least up to a point. But now I really want to both reduce air travel and also discover corners of Europe as yet unknown to me. But I do want them to be warmer and drier than where I live.
Great question, Wheezycat:. I have been musing about 'good' places to go for (at least some of it) the winter.
Years ago my GP asked me if I could get away to southern Spain (er, not in a romantic way!) as my asthma was on-going.
I had a brilliant winter last year (only one bad chest infection) but the previous winter was awful with one after another.
The thing that stops me travelling (apart from the prohibitive cost of travel insurance which is horrific for me) is that and this may sound daft, I may pick a bug up en route. The thought of being ill in a strange town is a worry. At least here, I know what to do, where to go should I need nebulising etc.
Apart from suggestions for the best over-wintering places, does anyone else share my (probably irrational) fear of quickly becoming unwell in a strange place.
No, you are not alone! I also now fear picking up bugs, and have been known (once) to dare to put on my Cambridge mask on a flight for extra protection. I do feel very stupid when I am doing that. My dh suggested Sri Lanka, and that really for me feels too far these days. In May I had to cancel a trip last minute, just to Northern Ireland, due to illness. It cost me a lot. But, as you suggest, it was not a concern for me about 6 weeks later when I went to Barcelona, and that was good! It was warm and dry!
Interesting thread, it’s a very topical subject for me, as I’m looking for places to go in winter also. I also have environmental worries about flying and prioritise driving & ferries where possible and make carbon offset amends if I do fly. I have been very tempted by the Canaries this winter but wonder about the humidity levels (having found Mallorca too humid in summer). My aunt, who like me, developed chest issues with menopause, avoided deteriorating health in Scottish winters by overwintering in Portugal and when life and work allows, leaving the B**x** word out of the equation for now, I’m hoping to do a similar pattern. Although my husband is reluctant, and I’d love for him to be more proactive on it all, like Sheila’s as am a bit fed up fighting my own corner.
I’m even wondering if cold places, like Switzerland, might be good in winter, as all mould spores are killed etc. but am nervous to try, in case it all goes awry asthma wise.
Anyhow, hopefully this bumps this thread, as am very interested in people’s solutions to the winter travel question.
I have strong connections to Sweden, and I get mildly homesick for it in November/December time, but haven’t dared to go due to the cold, even though I grew up with it, so I know what you mean. I just don’t know how it would pan out. It might be fine.
I would find those seasonal moves hard, as, apart from the damp cold, I like it here, and would also dread getting ill elsewhere even if they are good. But that week or two elsewhere really appeals!
I'm worried about climate change and do what I can to mitigate my travel, but big but, put your health first. Fly to Almeria. Wonder climate, dry and warm and sunny. Restful. Relax and get your immune system rebooted.
Any extended travel especially on train will exhaust the body and it's an easy place to pick up germs as so many people you'll be exposed to.
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