what do single over 60s do for entertainment and holidays

[Deleted User]

I am newly single and an optimistic person with quite a zingy personality, at least I give the impression of zest to other people. I keep myself busy on most days and have some excellent hobbies.

I do need to get out and about more but not aimless shopping. I was thinking of national trust but it wouldn`t be the same to walk around on my own. I am definitely not interested in a relationship, after having had a wonderful husband for 45 years so I don`t mean `that` sort of singles entertainment

I am having a week away soon on a crafting holiday and think I would like to explore other holidays but don`t know where to start. Being single is a very steep learning curve after never having been on my own, throughout my whole life

I have 2 sessions of a couple of hours out each week, fitness and wood carving and have a pretty good structure to my day now but it all involves work of some sort, sorting, tidying, allotment etc

Big problem here as only a very sparse bus service, I have a car and lovely neighbours but want to start spreading my wings

missbiggles1

My husband is still with me but virtually housebound, so I have to do lots of things on my own already.

In some ways, I find going round galleries, museums and NT properties more interesting on my own because I don't have to compromise on where I go and how long I spend, although I'd obviously rather he were with me even with the compromises. I've often gone to the cinema, concerts and plays on my own anyway as we've had rather different taste in these.

My holidays on my own have, up til now, been tacked on to the end of joint holidays but have included renting a flat abroad for sunbathing, reading and nice lunches: staying in historic cities for sightseeing (and more nice lunches): staying in a rural area walking the dog (rather fewer nice lunches!). Mind you, these have never been for more than a week and usually only a few days so I've yet to face a full 2 or 3 weeks on my own, which could, I suppose be different.

Basically, I've just done the things we've enjoyed together but on my own or the things I used to enjoy but dropped when we got together.

As we have the sort of marriage where we always have spent all our time together (no children and used to work at the same college) it's often been a good contrast to be able to do things alone sometimes.

Whether it'll be different when I'm completely on my own I don't know but, at present, I expect to carry on with the sort of things I've described above but just coming back to a house full of animals rather than to him.

Good luck and all the best.

[Deleted User]

Thank you missbiggles, your post has been really helpful, uplifting and hopeful. I think I will be buying NT membership today, at least that will give me some destinations

I have been printing maps re parking in my local small town, tbh I have only ever parked in the supermarket car parks and need to be able to park longer if I want to take any bus trips out. I think that I will test a couple of those car parks but on sunday when it isn`t busy. Parking is key for me as buses in my village start at after 9 and finish by 5 and are every 2 hours

Farway

Not sure where you live, but our local coach company runes "singles" holidays, maybe explore that?

They are not the sort of looking for a date type, just others in similar situation, I'm a bloke, and found two more who enjoyed walking down the local pub & having a pint & chat

I expect you would find others who shared some of your interests

Mojisola

Walking groups can be a good place to socialise - plenty of time to chat to people while you're having a stroll. There are "Walking for Health" groups all around the country as well as independent groups aimed at older ramblers who go out on weekdays when younger walkers are working.

Ilona

Hello. You sound quite busy around the home, it's good to have lots of interests. I am 66, and still single, :j, in fact I love my single life. I have a fairly decent car, and will drive anywhere for days out and holidays. I hate paying for car parking and will look for a residential street with no restrictions. If I visit a town I will drive to the outskirts, park the car, and get the bus in. Some of them have excellent park and drive facilities. I will visit art galleries, museums, and just sightseeing. I hate shopping and will avoid shopping centres.

Walking is my thing, and staying at Youth Hostels. You meet some smashing people at hostels. Google YHA. Sometimes I will drive to a hostel, stay for 3 or 4 days, and go out each day with my map and do a walk. I was recently in Haworth, and last week in Malham.

I walk literally hundreds of miles. I will sometimes get a train across to the other side of the country, and walk back home. 140 - 160 miles, seven or nine days. No accommodation booked, just walk all day and find a room. Morecambe to the Humber Bridge, 162 miles.

I sometimes have city breaks, London, Liverpool, Oxford, they have excellent hostels, and a good price.

The world is your oyster if you are single, go where you like, when you like, stay as long as you like. Go for it, have yourself an adventure.

Ilona

Savvy_Sue

I'd second the idea of walking: I'm in a local group and have met some lovely people, it's a real mix of singles and couples. DH doesn't come with me but I'm not the only 'half of a couple'.

For holidays, Ramblers Holidays, HF Holidays and Secret Hills Walking are apparently great: one of the singletons in our group has been to so many exciting places with them.

[Deleted User]

Walking groups would be ideal. I used to be a great walker, mountain leadership leader in my youth and met husband in a ramblers club. Unfortunately my ankles are not up to it any more, such are the aches and pains of heading to 70. I do little bits of cycling though and allotment so do still get my fitness and outdoor boost

I did join the NT and can take the grandchildren for an eztra bargain £5 a year. I am aiming to go to a property tomorrow, depending on the weather of course

Elan valley and porcini mushroom gathering were on the menu last time we went rambling

Yes rambling is perfect for meeting people

It is a crafting holiday for me this summer, wood carving and quite possibly a coach holiday later. I am still in the throes of sorting and clearing here so won`t go mad, yet

missbiggles1

kittie wrote: »

Walking groups would be ideal. I used to be a great walker, mountain leadership leader in my youth and met husband in a ramblers club. Unfortunately my ankles are not up to it any more, such are the aches and pains of heading to 70. I do little bits of cycling though and allotment so do still get my fitness and outdoor boost

I did join the NT and can take the grandchildren for an eztra bargain £5 a year. I am aiming to go to a property tomorrow, depending on the weather of course

Elan valley and porcini mushroom gathering were on the menu last time we went rambling

Yes rambling is perfect for meeting people

It is a crafting holiday for me this summer, wood carving and quite possibly a coach holiday later. I am still in the throes of sorting and clearing here so won`t go mad, yet

Congratulations on taking your first step and enjoy your visit tomorrow. Hope it's somewhere with gardens as they should be wonderful at this time of year.

Goldiegirl

Hi, regarding holidays, I wondered if your'd consider a cruise.

A lot of people in your situation pick a cruise for a holiday, as it is easy to make friends on board

I go with P&O, and they do travelling alone coffee mornings, so people can meet up. Also, they often put 'singles' together on a table for 8 at dinner time, so that's another way to make friends.

There's lot of activities that you can do on board, and on port days you can do a coach outing if you want.

The only down side is, the single supplement for the cabin, that can be quite hefty.

Jennifer_Jane

U3A ("University of the third Age") is wonderful and has many activities. As for holidays, I go on coach holidays, and a few years ago (actually on my first holiday) I met a lady who I subsequently have been on many holidays with. I think you get to know the people quite well on the coach holidays (Shearings, for instance) whilst you are travelling and there's often some single people to join up with. The difficulty is, of course, it costs extra because of the single supplements.


Just a couple of ideas to mull over.