What would you do about this holiday?

It sounds as though you really don't want to go and are trying to justify cancelling.

It is ok to cancel, the money is spent, and going and having a miserable time is not going to mean you have had your money's worth.

Maybe your first trip away would be better somewhere without memories or perhaps just for a couple of days.

If you cancel now it may be able to still be rented so you would be entitled to a refund.

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Riverwalk

On a practical note - could you sleep downstairs, maybe the sofa is a sofa-bed as it's a holiday cottage?

Alternatively a bucket upstairs and possibly a shewee.

There are also expanding bottles specially designed for tricky situations. I used to take on to cub and scout camps and use it in my tent during the night. Uriwell.

I agree with Germanshepherdsmum , with the circumstances that you describe I feel it would turn out a very sad holiday for you . On a more positive note though , maybe you could sleep downstairs somehow , and hire or buy a mobility scooter so you could then get about ? I have one that comes apart and fits into my small car . I can well understand how you feel as I miss my times away with my late partner , also I have mobility issues .

I think you have been given some very sensible suggestions. Your fear of the stairs stands out to me I would choose somewhere all on one level. Why don't you contact the company you booked through and explain and see if they can find something that suits your needs better,

Well, I’ll answer the easy bit first. Yes I could go on my own. But I would do lots of research and planning so that I have lots to keep me busy and interested. The worse thing for me would be to be at a loose end - then I would think too much and get sad.

You know the area well so you can easily do the planning etc necessary.

Driving - well we are 77 and 78 now and are very strict about only driving for 2 hours and then stopping and in our case swopping. So if I was on my own I think that I would plan to stop somewhere decent and treat myself to lunch. Quite frankly if the drive is over 100 miles I would consider an overnight stop, which we do when driving north from the south coast.

So mobility - perhaps take up something like photography so record nature and views etc rather than walk in it if you get my drift.

Just some thoughts🙂

But definitely give it a go. If you surprise yourself and enjoy it, then you E cracked the nut. If you hate it well in a way you’ve solved another problem, and don’t repeat it.

Btw, we’ve been on tours with companies like Riviera, and there is always at least one person with mobility problems. Last time in Puglia we helped a lady who was on her own as she had real difficulties and blimey what an interesting and intelligent lady she was, I struck up a real friendship and we spent the entire holiday tottering around together.

I’d be as torn as you are lucky. It’s an area I know well and am always drawn to. What would I do? Instinct says I’d probably go and sleep on the sofa, if I really hated it after two days I’d just come back home. I’m sorry. That’s no real help. What do your family think? They understand your mobility issues. Perhaps ask their opinion but in the end it does have to be your decision. Wishing you well.

More good ideas from LR !

Suitable accommodation is a Must, then when and where would suit you for a change of scene and interest? Do you want to drive or would a bus or train suit better? Are you happy to cater for yourself or would you enjoy a break from that? If walking much is not on, how about a hotel with hobbies or activities as part of the deal? A short 'all' in break might be an easy way to explore how you feel about all this. - To an area new to you - no preconceived ideas about what it is like.

Sensible advice GSM. My thoughts were that if you explained your concerns to the rental company maybe they could allow you to transfer to another of their properties perhaps in a countryside or coastal area nearer your home. Just to have a change of scenery can give a boost.

Have you ever considered staying a few nights in a country hotel with good access routes? Bus, taxi, train? There may be a small village and country walks (short distance) or nice gardens you can wander around/sit in. As I get older I tend to do what suits me and will let things go which do not. I stayed recently at a lovely country hotel by the sea with good bus access and it was lovely. The staff were so friendly and the sitting room was very cosy with games or you could read or order a cocktail from the bar. They also catered for my strange digstive system. Hope you find what suits and good luck!

Given all the circumstances you describe, if it were me I would cancel this holiday. The accommodation doesn’t sound safe for you, the focus of the holiday is no longer there, and it sounds as though memories would trigger sadness. You were very brave to book it though, imo.
Could you find a singles holiday for older people, where the accommodation is safe, others will be nearby and will move at a similar pace to you and there are no memories to be triggered?

On a practical note - could you sleep downstairs, maybe the sofa is a sofa-bed as it's a holiday cottage?