Waste about 3 weeks and 6 days before thinking that I should have planned something. :D

Couple of weeks somewhere warm with bike, probably the Riviera.

Bit of DIY.

Catch up with some friends.

UK based, maybe the South West Coast Path,  or Sea Kayaking in the Scily Isles

October in Scotland can often have better weather than June/July IME, but I’d be heading across the channel, but not sure how easy it is to go around Europe with a dog. How about Ireland?

I’d be bumming around Devon and Cornwall in my van checking out stone circles and attempting to surf.

Welsh coastal path

Offas dyke path

Both combined!

SW coast path

Last time I took a sabatical I spent a month in Peru, a month in New Zealand then a month in Australia.

Before that I spent three months travelling from Mexico city to Panama city.

…but I didn’t have a dog.

A mate of mine spent three months walking the South West coast path from Dorset all the way round to Minehead with his dog, camping along the way. You could do a good portion of that in a month, very challenging in places, probably most of it tbh.

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October is going to be dark and damp but more so the further north and west

disagree, October can be really nice, and it’s the start of the month not the end so clocks are still BST – It is a gamble but there can be some really nice sunny days, leaves turning colour, beautiful.

Me the gf and dogalog are of up to the Derbyshire Peak district for a walking/hiking holiday next week – fingers crossed!

Depends on how far you want to travel. Sounds like you are driving with the dog which narrows it down. I’d do what someone up there suggested and go where the weather is best. Could be the UK, could be Northern Europe (Ferry from Tynemouth/Hull?).  Have a few ideas and plan last minute. I doubt places are booked at this time of year.

You’d think the south and southwest would be best for weather so I’d probably plan some stuff down there. Maybe look at options to split the drive. Somewhere like the Dales or Peak District. Back in covid when flying was hard my wife and I wanted to do some walking. All the obvious places were booked/expensive. But there is some great walking to be found off the normal tourist trails. It was quite fun getting to know some new places.

I’ve had the last 4+ weeks off, starting a new job Monday. I didn’t get away anywhere. I had loads of bike stuff planned for the weekend and went away at the end of July and am off again in November. I’ve just been enjoying riding my bike, stopping at cafes and generally relaxing. You don’t have to go somewhere to have a good time. You don’t even need to do anything.

I’d have three or four plans and head where the weather is best nearer the time, a four week window is bound to change…. I’ve had some great trips in Scotland in October/November (Spey descent, Loch Affric)

October in the Alps can be variable, I had 25C clear sunny skies to rain to snow when I did the TMB in the last week of Sept first week of October a few years back. Also everything high up closed down at the end of September.

My only planned sabbatical was a good few years ago, between jobs over Xmas and New Year and the weather was so bad, my planned few weeks off turned into a couple of days on the SDW in the frozen slop…

Best of luck with whatever you do, its a great opportunity.

Buy an interrail pass and head for some nice weather and long distance trails, with a tent, rucksack and pooch.

Mor esanding and filling on the DS911 I expect :-(

Coke and hookers. Obviously.

Cheese and Bitches for the pupper?

I am providing no useful suggestions until payment is paid in full.

I’d do the Pamir highway, if I had a dog that absolutely couldn’t be left behind I’d try the HT550 with it

Norway at this time of year can be very good, but at the moment it’s very wet,  and the days will be getting short soon. I’d assume 75% of days will be bad weather, inc. snow and sleet.

Have a car and a variety of plans for southern europe

I had a 10 day break from the mrs and kids recently.  I had all sorts of plans in my head that involved biking, camping, etc.

As it turned out I ended up lying on the couch drinking wine and watching all 4 seasons of Black Sails (again).

Overall it didn’t feel like wasted time :)

“A mate of mine spent three months walking the South West coast path from Dorset all the way round to Minehead with his dog, camping along the way.”

This sounds like a fantastic plan.  I’ve walked a few bits of the path and keep meaning to do more of it but life gets in the way.