![The HOLIDAY from HELL!](https://cdn.magzter.com/1389340925/1690283370/articles/DTNOSR8op1690441327499/THE-HOLIDAY-FROM-HELL.jpg)
You've heard of the Dark Ages and the Victorian times. Well, then came the 'Sex and the City era' - the one in which I became a grown-up. A wonderful era for women - a terrible time for eyebrows. During those years, SATC showed us what it was to be a woman in your 30s and 40s. We anticipated a world of phenomenal outfits, hilarious chat, enviable apartments and inexplicable prancing. And wonderful holidays! I looked forward to those most of all. Carrie Bradshaw and her chums had taught me that when I became a proper woman, I would 'summer' places. Yes, summer like it's a verb.
I'd summer in the Hamptons with three of my best gal pals, who'd amuse me with bawdy conversation over an endless supply of cocktails - and we'd do it all while wearing beach-appropriate heels. Afterwards, we'd return to our regular lives of non-stop brunching punctuated by minuscule amounts of entirely satisfying work.
Fast-forward to today. I'm now in my 40s, and I've still yet to 'summer' anywhere. I have been camping 376 times, but now that I've matured, I suspect that the Hamptons is a place of fairy tales, and truthfully I'm glad-because I've given birth to four of the largest babies you've ever seen, and it would take a dangerous number of cosmopolitans to convince me to tuck my floppity tummy-apron into a pair of bikini briefs and display it on a beach full of carefully coiffed Hamptons-types. In fact, I've been surprised to discover that I rather love unsophisticated British breaks, where nobody's fabulous in flip-flops and factor 50, nor are they witty in wellies. And no one looks cool eating a Cornish cream scone... except maybe Ross Poldark?
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Woman & Home UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2023-utgaven av Woman & Home UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![How healthy IS YOUR GUT?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/JciNDIr561725443792484/HOW-HEALTHY-IS-YOUR-GUT.jpg)
How healthy IS YOUR GUT?
This month, our fitness expert Annie Deadman on discovering what's really going on inside your body and how to keep it in the peak of condition
!['DON'T CALL ME A HERO'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/w8FTQUymH1725443412740/DONT-CALL-ME-A-HERO.jpg)
'DON'T CALL ME A HERO'
Seeing the plight of innocent children in Gaza, Dr Ana Jeelani knew her medical skills could save lives – here’s what she experienced
![CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/sHxc6DCyl1725443193554/CANCER-WAS-JUST-A-JOB-UNTIL-IT-HAPPENED-TO-ME.jpg)
CANCER WAS JUST A JOB until it happened to me
Author, speaker and health content creator Dr Liz O'Riordan shares her journey from consultant breast surgeon to cancer patient
![Freewheeling in TUSCANY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/8zrehmFuM1725442652222/FREEWHEELING-IN-TUSCANY.jpg)
Freewheeling in TUSCANY
A cycling holiday through medieval cities and lush scenery is a great way to absorb culture and get off the beaten track
![Nostalgic BAKES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/49HjfTeFP1725442360316/NOSTALGIC-BAKES.jpg)
Nostalgic BAKES
Unlock childhood memories with these fun sweet treats
![A NEW NORMAL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/Oh6CsQZpm1725442072266/A-NEW-NORMAL.jpg)
A NEW NORMAL
The Princess of Wales is looking to the future, putting family first and ditching her to-do list
![I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/idlUtNKFq1725441891357/I-LOOK-FORWARD-TO-BEING-A-VERY-ELDERLY-ECCENTRIC-WOMAN.jpg)
I look forward to being a very elderly, ECCENTRIC WOMAN'
Comedian and podcaster Katherine Ryan, 41, lives in London with her three children and partner Bobby Kootstra
![Lighter DINNERS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/RNEVkJXxx1725441385285/LIGHTER-DINNERS.jpg)
Lighter DINNERS
Big on flavour and easy on the calories
![Behind CLOSED DOORS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/fzOc5Dl8W1725441105744/BEHIND-CLOSED-DOORS.jpg)
Behind CLOSED DOORS
What really goes on at your local surgery, and how are decisions made? GP and practice partner Dr Helen Wall reveals all
![15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5364/1814859/cyCcZpmSy1725440532388/15-WAYS-TO-IMPROVE-YOUR-MEMORY.jpg)
15 ways to IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY
Make yours fault-proof with these easy lifestyle tricks