Don't really feel like going on holiday.....

I have a similar situation, Mishap. My brother has a house in France and has been inviting us to stay for ages. I've always used mum as an excuse because I've been responsible for her care but the truth is my DH has suffered from anxiety attacks since his stroke and like you I do all the driving. We went away for a weekend two weeks ago and it was a great success but the journey home was a nightmare because he was tired and anxious about the traffic.

Like you, I'm happy with my cottage, my animals, my garden and nearby friends and family. I used to love going away but the stress is just not worth it any more.

It doesn't sound as though your own health is up to it so think of yourself and do what you really think best.

Well there are worse things to do than sit in a French garden with croissants, coffee, calvados, chilled white wine, french cheeses and a crusty baguette, a couple of good paperbacks, a bit of sun- look on the bright side!!
And have a lovely time - you don't need to go sightseeing/exploring/touristing - just relax!

the sun will probably do you good.
I'm in pain at the moment and know how you feel.
I'm beginning to wish I hadn't booked this one. Hadn't realised how cold it was up there! I never go further N than Wolverhampton, so Iceland? I must be barking mad!

Could your GP confirm that ill health prevents travel? If you can cancel without too much financial loss do so.

Then book yourself and OH into a lovely country spa hotel near to your home , maybe just for a couple of nights. Take a good novel and relax as much as you can, maybe book yourself for a treatment in the Spa..reduce the stress. Your OH will find it less worrying and so will you. If your OH is OK to be left at home without your support maybe treat just yourself if you think he won't enjoy going away.

A holiday is for enjoying not for building anxiety.

I would feel bad about cancelling - we would lose the ferry fare and the rental of the gite money. And OH loves that part of the world - he just does not want to go anywhere when he gets there - just sit in the garden.

Mishap, I was feeling exactly as you are feeling. Because of my problems with sciatica in my right leg, my mobility has been very much curtailed, and I am in pain almost all the time. We were due to go away to Scotland with our caravan this coming Friday, but as we won`t be able to do most of the things we wanted to do, and I will also have difficulty getting in and out of the caravan, we cancelled the other day. It`s disappointing, but also a relief, and we can always re-book at a later date. If it`s really getting you down so much, cancel, you can always go away if and when things are better for you.

I could say Go and relax, leave your problems behind (apart from DH) and you might find you both benefit from a change of scene. Or else, if it is causing so much stress, could you cut your losses and have a week or two closer to home with more "wet-weather" possibilities? Only you can know what is really best. I would be a bit wary of a long drive and a lot of it with a dodgy foot, but maybe driving is OK for you. Many people find holidays stressful and are glad to come home - it just isn't "done" to say so! Good luck with whichever you settle on.
I may be biased as we have not taken the plunge and gone further than Scotland for the last 3 years- and in fact cancelled Scotland in the autumn, fortunately, as it turned out as DH finished up in hospital with eColi the weekend we would have been en route and probably somewhere in the Lake District! However, I would love a change of scene, just have to settle for closer to home!

You are not really lucky at the moment. You've been through all this with your foot and you've had the huge amount of worry with your dad. Do the easiest thing for you for now. Promise yourself an easier holiday later on when you feel stronger. Perhaps a cottage on the south coast for a few days. Somewhere not too far.

I agree! You don't have to go, and possibly your DH would rather not either...give yourself a break, Mishap

Cancel it. Just don't go. I would n' t in your shoes.Stay at home where you will be happier. Don't put yourself through it.