new to this kind of thing

specialmo Hello
I live too far away from you to meet up but I hope that being on Gransnet helps you in some way. On the whole we are a happy lot here , there is always someone to "listen" to any problems you may have and who knows may even be able to help sort them out, if not Im sure some of us will be able to relate to some of the things that may be on your mind.
My mum had arthritis in her spine and she had difficulty walking so I know a little of what you are going through. I have arthristis in my knee and had to give up work because of it. Its a ** isn't it .
Enjoy yourself on here its amazing the things we talk about any thing from dinner guests and what we would do if we were prime minster. We even have virtual partys

SPECIALMO - I too miss having friends. Like me you need human contact. To live alone in an isolated spot would be agony for me. We are all different.I would give anything for a good friend to have a coffee or day out with. What a shame we live so far apart.It is so good that you are keeping positive and do not give up trying. I have just joined this site , hoping that online contact will fill the gap. I get out and about as much as possible but it would be good to have the company.
I suspect there are lots of people like us and I will keep on rooting for you!

Hello there, I am new to this as well, the reason why ive joined up is because all my children are grown up and left home now, Im not old, 60 but it would be lovely to meet up with someone occasionally in my area of Oxford,for the occasional coffee and chat, I do drive so thats no problenm as long as its not too far.

This site seems so good so I have high hopes I will get to chat to someone soon.smile

Have only just seen this thread [sorry specialmo] but know what you mean about coming home to an empty house. Thankfully not in that position now, but was there when my marriage broke up at the same time as my children left home. I started smoking quite heavily at the time, finding some sort of comfort in them [have stopped now]. I didn't have a computer at the time but felt my life would have been different if I had. Even now I often leave the computer on throughout the night as I feel I am in contact with the outside world [there was an earthquake several years ago and there were people still awake was the middle of the night on one of my forums and we were able to discuss what had happened]. If you have hobbies etc there will be specialist forums to add to this one where you can chat whenever you like about your interests [I'm on film forums and racing forums]. I know it isn't the same as being with someone, but you will find support and companionship on here and I'm sure there will be a meet up in your area at some point in the future.The good thing about gransnet is that there is always someone chatting about something, whereas a lot of other forums you have to wait for a few hours [or even days] to get a reply on something you've said. So welcome and enjoy!

Hi Specialmo,
I am well aware of what you are going through. I live in NW London if that is of any help to you?

Please note everybody, this thread was started in April 2012, with only 3 current posts. I didn't notice until I found an old answer I had posted.

Oops, thought that I was on the ball but I am a year out! Well spotted shysal

Specialmo. Contact your local Age UK (used to be Age Concern). They quite often run activities for older people to bring them together. I am not talking about Day Centres. One of my local branches of Age Concern runs a drop in centre with a coffee shop. Others run special activities for the over 50s, including IT classes (which you obviously do not need) exercise classes and all sorts of other things.

roseanne, welcome to Gransnet. You will find plenty of virtual friends here who will provide advice, sympathy and humour.
There is a local branch for your area, which has recently been set up. Beneath the logo with women holding the GN flag at the top of the page there is a green box marked 'LOCAL'.There is very little on there so far, but I expect the list of meet-ups and things to do will gradually be added to as time goes by.
If you like walking, I find organized groups like the Ramblers very useful for meeting people. For the not quite so fit, GP surgeries have health walks where you would meet similar aged people from your surrounding area. And of course there is also the good old W.I.too! Taking the first step is the worst bit isn't it?

Thankyou for your advice shysal I appreciate that.

I quess it was on a one to one that I was thinking of, Im not the most confident person in a group but have no problem ona one to one which is why I wondered if there was anyone else in my area who fancied a chat now and again, I will look out for people in the S.E area, sure there are other like minded people like me out there somewhere!

I dont sleep well, often up in the night at all hours but your site seems so friendly that I recon Ill have plenty of you to talk to at different times thankyou for being so welcomming.

Hello Roseanne, welcome to Gransnet. Pity I don`t live near to you, it would have been nice to meet up for a chat over a cuppa. Keep your eye on the meet up thread, there may yet be a meet in your area.

Roseanne234,I'm on the other side of the pond but I check in often when it's the early hours being 6 hours behind. So if you up in the early hours and want to talk just post or PM me. glad your here,I'm fairly new also.