We never asked why we were born
Why we start young, but end up old
Yet we start timid in sun cream
Then dive, brave the cold, ski, are bold.
As teens, silently wonder why
The old are still there and don't die
Don't ask what's best to do today
But ask where singles holiday
We all like to work from home
Be all alone, yet on the phone
Wear small clothes, cheap, and like that look
To maximize likes on Facebook
The world's so big, yet all in reach
To climb, hike, ski, or surf the sea
To sunbathe on the sandy beach
Where's hot, but cool, free, luxury?
Our son thought he'd save, buy a tent
Astonishing how much he spent
Whilst I, just like a frugal mouse
Decided we should swap our house
We found, like us, they lived in hell
We broke cheap cups, cleaned up the smell
So now at last we broke the spell
Don't ask why we booked a hotel
So now at last, no mystery
Our puzzled days are history
What's cheap is cheap, what's dear is dear
Five star hotel, that's why we're here.
-ends-
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Facts. Our son practised camping by putting up a tent in our garden.
My husband spent more than the cost of a night in a hotel, and a taxi to a hotel, on buying a tent, and a on a sleeping bag, bag liner, hiking boots, torch and most of the contents of the camping shop website.
We did a home swap with a family in the Channel Islands. Packing for a holiday takes time. But clearing your house for a family of four to move in takes longer. You need to pack away valuables and clear space, and leave new matching crockery in sets of four.
Updated lengthened poem and added comments on July 10th 2026.
