OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

ellie99

LavenderBees wrote: »

I've not quite had that, but have had the old "looking over your shoulder to make sure you haven't just forgotten you have someone with you" :cool:

I've had that too, asking how many of us are there, when I'm stood there on my own, as though I've left a whole car load of diners in the car park :rotfl:

LavenderBees wrote: »

On the doggy bag subject - I never have anything left - but if I did and wanted it, I'd def ask for a doggy bag, why not? Potentially, you've already been completely embarassed at asking for a table for one, being given the table half in the lift shaft, been rushed through your meal to get rid of you quickly,... what's a little more embarassment? :rotfl:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:
That's a good way to look at it!

I'm pleased to say I've had more good experiences than bad. I do usually take a newspaper to read for the wait before the meal arrives because I feel a bit conspicuous sometimes, but prefer talking to people if there's anyone around..I find staff, locals, and other singles are much more inclined to talk than groups.

Listen to me, talking as though I eat out every week :rotfl:, it's only occasionally ,honest.

Actually, sometimes it's as awkward going out in a group when I'm the only singlie, and the others are couples...I occasionally go out with 2 couples, and the men stop me every time I try to buy a round, and one of them goes to the bar...makes me feel bad that I'm not contributing enough (though I'm not a big drinker, so I'm not costing them much!)

I'm procrastinating big time today...have done a fair bit of decorating, and had a couple of carpets laid, and am meant to be putting everything back where it belongs and doing a major clear up...but it's so tempting to play on t'internet

lessonlearned

May I join you

My darling husband died on 10th august so I'm now officially a Singly. He was in a nursing home for over two years so I guess I've had a little bit of practice at adjusting to a single lifestyle.

I find the cooking, grocery thing ok but it's the holiday/days out etc which seem to present the big challenge. I agree there is a huge and growing market for providing singles with restaurant meals, hotel accommodation etc. Perhaps I should set myself up in business and exploit a market which has such huge growth potential..

I would love to start having a few holidays/ days out/weekends away because after 9 years of caring for my late husband I really do need to rebuild my life and start living again.

I spotted a med cruise recently. £699 per person. I asked how much for one person. £1300. Daylight robbery!!

As for being turned away from restaurants. How very dare they?? Damn cheek.

ellie99

lessonlearned wrote: »

May I join you

My darling husband died on 10th august so I'm now officially a Singly. He was in a nursing home for over two years so I guess I've had a little bit of practice at adjusting to a single lifestyle.

I
I spotted a med cruise recently. £699 per person. I asked how much for one person. £1300. Daylight robbery!!

Hi lessonlearned, I'm sorry for your loss. Good idea to think about days out/trips away to give you something to look forward to. I found the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Hotels/B&Bs were good for people around to talk to, but self catering is also good for the freedom to do just as you please and cook for yourself.

That cruise is disgraceful! I would be surprised if any singles booked that!

LavenderBees

lessonlearned wrote: »

May I join you

My darling husband died on 10th august so I'm now officially a Singly. He was in a nursing home for over two years so I guess I've had a little bit of practice at adjusting to a single lifestyle.

I find the cooking, grocery thing ok but it's the holiday/days out etc which seem to present the big challenge. I agree there is a huge and growing market for providing singles with restaurant meals, hotel accommodation etc. Perhaps I should set myself up in business and exploit a market which has such huge growth potential..

I would love to start having a few holidays/ days out/weekends away because after 9 years of caring for my late husband I really do need to rebuild my life and start living again.

I spotted a med cruise recently. £699 per person. I asked how much for one person. £1300. Daylight robbery!!

As for being turned away from restaurants. How very dare they?? Damn cheek.

Absobloominlutely, of course you may join us. You are very welcome , and a big hug from me, as I suspect you are vastly underplaying the impact of the last 9 years on you.

Holidays are definitely one area where singlies are badly done to. Simgle supplements - don't get me started!! :rotfl:

I do wonder if the cruise may have made you feel a little lonely anyway as I have the impression of groups/couples? Could be wrong though.

There are a number of companies who do cater more for solo travellers - it all depends what you are looking for/how active you want to be etc etc. I am going to a small independent hotel in Crete, where most people are single or at least holidaying on their own for whatever reason. It means company if you want it, or not, if you don't. But without doubt, it is more expensive than going away with a partner or a friend.

LB xx

lessonlearned

Thanks for the welcome

Yes the cruise might have been a bit of a strain. I just fancied the idea of a complete rest and I do love sightseeing. Unfortunately I'm not too keen on flying so a cruise sounded good.

Anyway I'll think of something. I love the uk and I shall treat myself to a senior railcard and perhaps start with couple of city mini breaks.

I might look at Italy next year, Rome and Florence are top of my hit list.

I wondered about coach trips but worried that the clientele might be a bit old for me. I'm 63, reasonably fit and healthy although I definitely need to work on my fitness levels now that I will have some time for myself.

YouRe right of course. 9 years as a carer has taken its toll on my health. I need to address that first before I think about trekking through the Amazon or visiting Tibet.:rotfl:

calicocat

Howdie LL,

I remember you from the first ever thread I went onto on here, and some on DT. Sorry to hear about your husband, I know you have been through the mill with the whole thing for a long time now........time for some self healing, and special treats for you me thinks.


Well....the tidy police have gone home now. Jezze, I can't believe how much she can talk..!!!. I swear to god she doesn't actually stop talking unless she's asleep..!!. It's exhausting.

Her memory is getting awfully bad....which she knows, and it gets worse every time I see her. She's also getting more confused with things now.....not good at all. She asked to have a mental test at docs a few weeks ago and they seemed to think she was fine....i am not convinced though to be honest.

Anyhow she seems to have had a nice time, went to the beach yesterday (the waves were mahoosive..!!), and to a lovely Italian in tynemouth for amazing king prawns. Today spent morning in Morpeth shopping, then back down to the beach for lunch. The waves were amazing again, quite a lot of people body boarding and surfing..i was quite jealous of them.


Asbo-cat still won't have an amazing amount to do with her...keeps running away from her, but I think it's the constant noise from her.....lol, and she's never really what you would call relaxed.

It's raining here now, time for some quiet and sloth like behaviour I think, with blinds shut and the fairy lights on....and maybe what they call up here a nana-nap....lol.


You can get singlie cruises....my ex has been on one, by the way.

lessonlearned

Just been blackberrying. Now time for my nap.

I call them power naps.

I will google singlies cruises, Hope we are not talking Over 30's style holidays........I'm not looking for a new partner:rotfl:

calicocat

Lol, no, my ex would have been around 50 I think when he went on one.

Bigjenny

Can recommend this coach holiday company , for over 55's and no single supplements. http://www.grandukholidays.com

Went to Lake District with them this year for first time and enjoyed it.

I think they only cover the south and midlands have plenty of pickup points, but go all over the country and abroad.

Pick up points http://www.grandukholidays.com/pick-up-points

Byatt

Lessonlearned, welcome and sorry to read of your loss.

I have a senior rail card, and here's a link to get a 1 year one for £3 less, but must be done before a date in Sept.

http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/leaflet/


I've never been turned down for a seat at a restaurant etc, not sure what I would say or do if I was! Would depend on the mood I was in at the time :eek: but think it's disgusting. I have taken a book with me as a just in case, but a newspaper or mag sounds better. If I'm at a window then I can happily people watch. I'm not one for chatting to strangers, will pass the time of day if I have to, but I'm quite quiet and keep to myself for the most part.

I'm looking at Italy too LL, but also have a hankering for a Greek island. Some new people I'm getting to know, older than me and mostly singlies, seem to have lots of holidays on their own. One going for a month in December to a Greek island! Cheaper and warmer than staying at home.

Thanks BigJenny for the coach link, will have a look, I like the idea of them as you can see a lot in a short time, and be looked after. I have done a coach trip in USA and was ready to kill by the end, but I'm much more tolerant now. ;) Honest...

Oh, I ask for doggy bags (once upon a time was literally for the dog)....and always find people are lovely about it. I have also been known to wrap things up in numerous serviettes In America it's the norm I think and they supply proper boxes/bags.

edit, there's also Newmarketholidays, lots on offer...but Google singles over 50's and loads come up!

another edit, just tried looking at some holidays and what looks like a good deal, isn't when you say there's just 1 of you (the default is always 2)...over £400 extra in some cases. Grrrrr