Holiday alone ?

How about a spa break? I used to have two or three days away, mostly alone, at Champneys. They have hotels around the country and many women come alone. It’s very relaxing and friendly too, and treatments are a bonus. Havnt been fir a while so might look into it.

You could hire a cottage or flat somewhere in the UK that you could drive to or get to by train or coach - just somewhere you could relax, go for walks, read and have time to unwind. Avoid school holidays there are plenty on line

Have a look at Silver Surfers

Well done you took the first step going to your doctors. I think you should just take it easy for now you have only just started your meds. Give yourself time to adjust you will be more confident about making decisions then plans for a trip. In the mean time take yourself out to local places you like to go. Spoil yourself you deserve it and don’t worry about your husband he will be fine. The less you do for him will actually do him good he will manage without you being there all the time.

Plan a short coach trip there will be timetables places to stop and see etc. An organised trip maybe better for you save you planning it yourself. There will be other people travelling solo there usually is so you will have company whether you choose it or not. Whatever you decide to do just enjoy it and take care.

Notjustaprettyface My suggestion for a holiday/break away from your grumpy OH is the last paragraph here. Feel free to skip the rest!

My husband died (not passed - a nod to another thread) in 2008 and, over the years, I've told myself I should have a holiday. I never have because it would seem an awful waste of money to travel abroad, solo, and spend time reading or browsing in shops when I can, and do, do that right here at home. I've never been interested in museums, churches or other historical buildings (actually, I did enjoy the Alhambra Palace tour but the tour guide was extremely good looking!) and admiring lovely scenery (other than handsome tour guides) only interests me for a few seconds. I've also never been interested in beaches (hated them as a child) or boasting about far flung places I've travelled to.

When my husband was alive, he wanted a complete break from work, so we went abroad (hence the tour of the Alhambra). I would be counting down to the midpoint, when I would tell myself, "Right! We've broken the back of it now." Then I'd be counting the days down till we could get on the flight home. I think I just wanted to be in control of what I did and where I went, rather than ' trapped' in that holiday place.

I think I might be unusual but maybe some other GNers feel the same?

So, Notjustaprettyface maybe a complete break away would be good for you because you'd be 'trapped' and out of physical contact with your grumpy OH. You could make a plan of all the sightseeing, activities Hey! An activity holiday! Yoga perhaps? etc. Make sure you have books, a kindle is great for that. Google your destination to find out what you can do there. I once considered a flamenco holiday and I've often considered a yoga retreat but I can do yoga here, of course, so I've never put any of my ideas into practice.

Good luck!

Why not take a study break in the Lakes at Higham hall
highamhall.com/
They pick you up from which ever bus stop or train station you arrive at.
Each time I go I make one new friend. Good luck.

Why not have a two-night break in a city like York or Chester, easy to get to by train, where there's lots to see? You could stay in a Premier Inn, or a nice bed and breakfast.

I would let the antidepressants kick in first and then book just a few days to start with. Just so you don't start to worry make sure you know how your OH is going to manage or, however grumpy, you may find you spend too much time wondering what is going on. Sorry I don't think I have read your other thread so not fully sure what the situation is.

There is a residential library., Gladstone’s. I’d go there.

Hi I think you will enjoy traveling alone as there is no one in interfering with plans. I love going off to see my brother in Greece alone and we do day trips to to tha sea side or just chill. ?

I am recovering from stomach surgery and off to see my brother in 3 weeks times and can't get travel insurance with reaccuring cancer. Any advice would be great. ?

What about a short course doing/learning something new? A craft course, learning to swim, making a pair of shoes....... there are lots of options available.

Forgot to say, the anti-depressants don't instantly kick in, so hang in there. I hope that you feel better soon.

Shinamae what company is the trip to Wales with? I will be interested to recommend my recently widowed friend.

@PavM - lots of recommendations on the Macmillan forums community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_experiences/travel-insurance-forum/f/travel_insurance/169013/recommended-travel-insurance

If you started a thread about it here, you’d probably get lots more suggestions.

My widowed friend has just come back from a cruise around the U.K. sailing from Southampton, she went on her own , the were also the opportunity while on board to meet up with other “singles “ which she did , she says she really enjoyed .

A few years ago my partner didn’t want to go on holiday so I’d booked a “ single traveller “. coach trip to Lake Como , Italy , with Ledger which were good .

Also, there is an online traveling group called Goldies Holidays , I've gone with them couple times , once to Malta and then to Spain , everyone in the group books their own holiday independently then meet up at the chosen hotel .

When they say “ singles “ it doesn’t actually mean people who don’t have a partner, it’s for anyone who have their own reasons for traveling alone .

Personally, I don’t mind actually traveling on my own but as long as there are others likeminded in the same group . I’ve made some nice friends from the ones I’ve done and can be a lot of fun , so, book up and enjoy a well earned break .

I love going on holiday alone. You can please yourself. Coach trips are lovely for people on their own. You meet other trippers but you still have your own space

Hi everyone my husband has had two hip replacements in recent years and he understood I needed a break by myself when I said I wanted to get away. So I went by train from
Nottingham to Cromer and stayed in a sweet little room in a characterful hotel overlooking the sea. I had fish and chips by myself one evening in a wonderful f and c restaurant overlooking the sea, chatted to people on the next table. I spent 3 days away, I took the local bus to Sheringham and Wells and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend it!

Mercury Holidays have holidays with no extra supplement. I went to Malta on my own when I needed to recuperate from surgery.

It was very relaxing to just do what I wanted without having to think about anyone else. I even approached other lone women in the dining room and asked if they would like some company, or preferred to be on their own. I met some really interesting people that way.

Pity there isn’t a magic pill to cure grumpy old men (and women).

To Saggi: Can’t you get respite care for your husband so you can get away? Age uk could be a good source of reference. Or your local council, try Adult Social care

My husband has had 2 hip replacements, one in his 20s and one in his mid 30s as the first was a 'groundbreaking failure'. His is in his 60s so will probably need another at some point. Luckily he is well tempered...but I dread to think about caring for someone grumpy.

Do have a go at going somewhere, if you are religious (or not even religious but don't mind the odd prayer at meals) retreat centres can be wonderfully friendly. They also do walking, craft, stitching, book or other retreats, not all religion based; a great one is Lee Abbey in Devon. Otherwise, perhaps a small B & B somewhere? You could even think about asking locally if another single female wants to go away?

Whatever you choose, good luck with the meds, I take them permanently and sadly they take a while to kick in but can be a godsend...We are all here if you need a chat or support.

Yes do it, perhaps for the first time a group tour of some sort would be best.

To everybody who has posted : thank you so much
I am overwhelmed by the kindness and support you have shown me
I will certainly take on board the advice about letting the meds take effect for a couple of weeks
Then I think I will be clearer about what I want to do
And it doesn’t have to be a long break , 3 nights away might be enough
It depends where I decide to go of course
You have given me plenty of ideas which I will read again and then decide what to do
Thanks again it’s great to have so many friends out there

Redhead56

Shinamae what company is the trip to Wales with? I will be interested to recommend my recently widowed friend.

It’s a local company based in Tiverton called Blakes…

Like Saggi I'm a long-term carer and would love some alone time If you can't see yourself on a solo holiday just book a weekend away two nights in a hotel a theatre ticket/ an afternoon at the shops/ a visit to a gallery/ museum/ national trust property whatever you enjoy One big tip don't think everyone is looking at you on your own they really aren't !

Try a company such as Solo or Just You. Perhaps not very cheap but everyone on the holiday would be on their own.