What would you do about this holiday?

I think you are very brave booking any holiday on your own. I used to go with groups but don't now. I wouldn't think of going alone and I don't have mobility problems or healt issues.

Sorry, not read all the posts, but wondered if you could take somebody with you?

Are you insured?
Maybe you are covered for cancellation of the festival.
Do you hear yourself saying you 'should' still go'?
Listen to what you would
'prefer' to do - it's okay to change your plans.
Be kind to yourself x

I would cancel and hope to get at least some of the money back BUT I would try to find something else that doesn’t include all the negatives you mention. There are other music festivals and you may even find that there are groups travelling there together. I really admire you for considering it but to my mind there are too many negatives. Really hoping you’ll get a positive response from the cottage owner.

Hi. I’m 78 and lost my husband 4 years ago I would not worry about going away on my own. I don’t drive so would need to arrange transport. I would not go under the conditions you describe Maybe try and change where you go and the mode of transport. Not safe to be on your own having mobility issues Put your sensible head on what would you advise a friend who said she was going to this place ? Lots of love hope you have a wonderful time whatever you decide

Lots of good suggestions on already for you. Personally as me and DH have got older I now only book UK holidays with 'free cancellaton' included. Last year due to problems I had to cancel a round trip of six guest houses and hotels around Scotland. The company cancelled all of them for us without hesitation.

Go with your gut instincts ! If you fancy going still then do go, if not, then find something else to do that you’ll enjoy Good luck x

I do know something of how you feel, having lost my DH almost a year ago now and have been considering maybe some future solo trip .
I think that the accommodation doesn't sound too safe in your circumstances so, as suggested above, maybe try asking the company if you could change to something more suitable. Failing that I would just cancel even though it means losing a deposit.
Perhaps a future booking might be to a completely 'new' place that might involve fewer upsetting memories and maybe to somewhere you could travel to via coach/train so as to avoid the long drive element?
Best of luck with your decision and I hope it turns out well for you.

I agree with GSM that the main focus of the holiday has now gone for you . So the inconveniences you were prepared to put up with will now be more annoying. Especially the stairs for tge toilet. I would rebook a different music festival with everything is convinient and on one level . There are holiday places such as sandpipers where everything is safe and accessible if that is necessary for you or search accessible holidays if all thats needed are a few adaptations. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Luckygirl3 you could be my sister in law. Everything you describe about your mobility issues fits her situation perfectly, including the emergency alarm and the serious back injury last year. It is 5 years this week since my beloved brother, her DH, died suddenly.
I am actually in Tenerife with her at the moment, in a little quiet resort they visited twice per year for about 15 years. She wanted to visit one last time so I have come with her as it wouldn’t be manageable on her own. Now we are here she has very mixed feelings, it is obviously an emotional roller coaster for her. They had a restaurant they loved, but she will not visit it. I think what I am trying to say is be prepared to have mixed feelings if you do visit the place you loved together.

It sounds like your accommodation isn’t right for your current needs, had my SIL booked it I would have tried to talk her out of it because of the stairs. Your posts read like you have pretty much decided that you shouldn’t go, sometimes we just need to take the financial hit and move on. There is plenty more suitable holiday accommodation out there.

I use a mobility scooter. They do come apart to get into a car boot. I always stay at Premier Inn or Travelodge as they have accessible rooms. I also take a rollator to get round rooms. Have an optimistic outlook as a holiday should be enjoyed not dreaded. If I were you I wouldn't drive.

I am still trying to speak with the owner.

Unfortunately I am not able to lift a mobility aid into the car owing to the back surgery. In fact I am going to have to put my luggage into separate carrier bags in small amounts as I will not be able to lift a case in/out of the car!

I read gransnet a lot hut have never posted. My late partner and I (he died 2 years ago) often went to a holiday place in Cornwall. When I went back for the first time alone I wondered if I'd be very sad. Interestingly although the first few hours were hard after that it brought back many happy memories and has since become the place I am most at peace. I can't answer for mobility etc problems but I'd encourage you to go

I agree after my OH died I went back to favourite places the first time I stayed 2 days but last year I managed 4 and I think I’m ready for a week now - sleeping downstairs is a good option

I cancelled a holiday last year because the nearer it got to going the more I was dreading it .... for many reasons I won't go into on here.
I just wanted to say that the relief I felt when it was cancelled was immense and I never regretted it.
So I say cancel it and don't beat yourself up about it!!
Good Luck x

beware constrictions of the oughteries.
you don't have to do it.
there is no virtue in unnecessary suffering.
it sounds positively risky for you, on several points.
people of our age tend to try to endure things, and not to waste anything, inc money.
but really, look around and think, why ?
put yourself first, and your needs.
forget the money. it doesn't matter. you do.
good luck.

I agree with your comments welbeck👍🏻

Luckygirl3

I am still trying to speak with the owner.

Unfortunately I am not able to lift a mobility aid into the car owing to the back surgery. In fact I am going to have to put my luggage into separate carrier bags in small amounts as I will not be able to lift a case in/out of the car!

My husband's disabled so I do all the heavy lifting. We have an electronic hoist in the car to get a mobility scooter in and out.

I don't think you should go, it doesn't sound too safe for you with your mobility problems. Is there anyone you know who you could gift the holiday to?

It will soon be three years since my husband died, and I haven't been away anywhere on my own since before Covid. I thought about going back to places we had been together, but, as you mention, I think that would make me too sad. So I have made a decision only to visit places that I've never been before, not to return to old familiar haunts. I'm going on a widows' retreat in Scotland in October, quite looking forward to that, but nervous about travelling alone.

Maybe you could consider a specialist holiday, something like painting or singing, where you could be part of a group?

I too think you should go. When you booked it you had good reasons to believe you could cope with this, you still can and will be so pleased you did once it is over. Meet your fears head on, it may be challenge for you but being disabled you no doubt face challenges every day as I do. The satisfaction when we overcome these challenges is well worth every minute of the doubting. Just either sleep downstairs or make arrangements so you don’t have to do the stairs in the night, that for me would be unacceptable and too high a risk to take. Enjoy

Thank you everyone.

I have had a talk with owner, who is lovely and he kindly sent me more detailed photos of the cottage to help me make a judgement about it.

The stairs are enclosed with a good banister rail and proper treads (not open). The ceiling of the bedroom is steeply sloping but there is quite a decent area of normal height. The sofa bed downstairs would not be suitable because of the back surgery, so if I go it would mean sleeping upstairs. I can always go downstairs (the most difficult thing for me) on my bum I guess!

I talked to the company who lets the cottage and they cannot do a transfer of accommodation as they are basically agents for individual owners. And I would lose virtually all the money I have paid out.

I talked with the tourist information service and they were able to point me to a number of websites with further information about transport and possible other events going on - and also about the most accessible beaches.

All I have to do now is make a decision!

Is it not possible to negotiate with the owner direct?
If they can re-let it they will refund you much of your payment?

I think you should go. After my husband died I took the decision to go away on my own, full of trepidation but reasoning that if I hated it, it would just be seven days of my life in which to be miserable. As it turned out, it wasn't. I loved broadening my horizons and feeling empowered by coping on my own. It gave me a great sense of achievement and made me a stronger person. Since then I have been away many tines on my own and always found it a liberating experience. I won't deny that before I go I always think, oh it all seems like too much trouble and it would be easier to stay at home. But when I get there I never regret it - takes me out of what could be a comfortable rut. So my advice would be - don't overthink the negatives and just go! I wish you well.

It does sound as though you see more negatives than positives now - especially with the music festival cancelled.

Could you:
try to book an alternative with same company or re-sell the booking or take a friend
try instead a long weekend in a hotel with all the cooking done for you- and a ground floor room/lift/ help with cases
go somewhere that is a short drive or do-able on public transport
choose a time when there is a concert on nearby that you could maybe take a taxi to?

Whatever you decide will no doubt be a bit of a challenge - stay safe and have a lovely time and think of how proud your husband would be of you.

skate

I think you should go. After my husband died I took the decision to go away on my own, full of trepidation but reasoning that if I hated it, it would just be seven days of my life in which to be miserable. As it turned out, it wasn't. I loved broadening my horizons and feeling empowered by coping on my own. It gave me a great sense of achievement and made me a stronger person. Since then I have been away many tines on my own and always found it a liberating experience. I won't deny that before I go I always think, oh it all seems like too much trouble and it would be easier to stay at home. But when I get there I never regret it - takes me out of what could be a comfortable rut. So my advice would be - don't overthink the negatives and just go! I wish you well.

It's not just about going or not going. The main reason for going is no longer there, the accommodation is unsafe, and the drive too long.

Go, but closer and safer. Take care.