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camping on your own


manx mann

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Posted
i have just lost my wife of 45years is camping on your own in a motor home worthwhile i have a adria coral should i go for a smaller camper or just give up the great life of camping :-(
Posted

Hi ManxMann.

First of all welcome to Chatterbox. I am just one of the friendly folk on here. There are lots more, all who will get around to saying Hi. Don't know how you are feeling at this time, pretty bad I suspect but whatever you do don't give up motorhoming,There's a lot of singles out there enjoying it and am sure you will as well. Everybody is willing to chat on the campsites, who or whatever you are.It's a very friendly life and I would say go for it, but whatever you do, GOOD LUCK.

 

 

Mick H.

Posted

Hi Manx Man & welcome to the forum.

 

I'm so sorry to hear about your sad loss.

 

I know quite a few people who are solo campers and, like me, thoroughly enjoy it.

 

The Camping & Caravanning Club weekend rallies are good for being surrounded by friends, but who are happy to leave you to be quiet, if that's what you want.

 

If you enjoy camping, perhaps try it on your own and see if it suits you.

Posted

I did it, I did it, I did it, oh what a clever boy am I, I managed to upload a picture, admittedly it is only a picture of my garden that I tried as a test.

I will have to have a scrub up and put on my best bib and tucker and try and send one of myself.

But how do I do it?

Posted
manx mann - 2008-08-24 8:11 PM

 

i have just lost my wife of 45years is camping on your own in a motor home worthwhile i have a adria coral should i go for a smaller camper or just give up the great life of camping :-(

 

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's bound to take a while to get used to your new situation but I hope you will find you are able to carry on with the 'camping' life.

So don't give up - as you know, there's nothing else like it !

Best wishes.

Guest JudgeMental
Posted
malc d - 2008-08-24 10:32 PM

 

manx mann - 2008-08-24 8:11 PM

 

i have just lost my wife of 45years is camping on your own in a motor home worthwhile i have a adria coral should i go for a smaller camper or just give up the great life of camping :-(

 

Sorry to hear about your loss. It's bound to take a while to get used to your new situation but I hope you will find you are able to carry on with the 'camping' life.

So don't give up - as you know, there's nothing else like it !

Best wishes.

 

Sorry for your loss.

 

Take the time to grieve, I am sure your wife would want you to make the best of things. There are clubs for lone campers I believe, plenty more in the same situation as you. its kind of inevitable one way or the other........

 

Posted

Hi, Manx Mann, Welcome to Chatterbox, So sorry to hear of your sad loss,

I do hope you will continue to " carry on motorhoming", I miss it so much,

as I am sure you would, Maybe if you downsized it would help.

Good Luck, and keep on posting as well, Ria.

 

 

 

Guest Tracker
Posted

Hello John, and welcome to this forum where most folk are genuine decent and friendly people with just the occasional nasty contributor.

 

I've been where you are now four years ago when my wife of 37 years died from Cancer. I kept a van because I was not going to let my loss destroy my chosen life and holiday styles.

 

I did however change vans as I found the memories in the van that we used together a bit hard to live with whilst away from home.

 

The first trip away alone was awful and I couldn't wait to get back home, but gradually they got better culminating in a four week trip around the Outer Hebrides alone - but with me dawg for company.

 

In fact I could say that it was mainly the dog that kept me sane (relatively) in the early months when nothing seemed to make much sense and although I wanted to get on with my life I was not at all sure what I did want and how I did see the future.

 

As the weeks went by it became easier to handle as I was lucky enough to meet some really nice people along the way some of whom remain friends, but we are all different and we never know how we will react to any situations until they arrive, so all I can say is try many different things and retain what helps.

 

As J9 says, the CCC rallies are quite a good place to start as you don't need to book, they are not expensive, and there is generally a weekend meet close to where you live - unless you are on the IOM! I found the motor caravan section meets to be the most friendly and easy going.

 

There are three clubs specialising in singles camping - The Loners, The Phoenix, and The New Companions. I joined all three for one year but found their meets not to my liking as they mainly take place on club or large commercial sites and seem to be very 'cliquey' and 'red wine' based. Fine if you are a natural mixer and that is your scene - but it's not mine!

 

After nine months of serious internet dating, in which you can specify quite clearly the type of person you wish to meet - and for what reasons - be it friendship or more - and you can be very choosy about whom you choose to meet - I met a local lady quite by chance whilst out walking the dog and we have been together now for three years (getting married in September).

 

On that score I have successfully rebuilt my life and managed to move on - just as my late wife would have wanted me to do. That said not everyone wants to move on, and even if they do, maybe at a different pace to me?

 

On that basis I don't intend to set myself as a role model for anyone but if you can pick up an idea or two from my experience, then it will have achieved it's purpose.

 

People knock it, but in my view internet dating, if you do not have the close support of family or friends locally, can be a life saver in as much as you get to talk to like minded people in a similar situation as your own and I found that I was often giving as much support as I was getting and I found some satisfaction and purpose in that.

 

If you feel would like to chat but not in the public domain please feel free to send me a personal message and we can converse in private.

 

Best wishes and good luck,

 

Rich.

 

 

Posted

Hi Manxman, Just want to add my condolences to those above.

 

Please don't make any decisions to see your van just yet. Give going it alone a chance. Like Janine says, there are many of us out there doing it.... some like you through bereavement and others, like me, through choice.

 

At first it is very difficult and lonely and you feel very conspicuous.... but you know what ... this might sound really stupid and unfeeling, but have you thought of going to a Rescue Dog's Home for a companion? I found it strange to go off walking on my own at first - as though everyone was looking out of their windows at me , then I took my little dog as companion, and hey ... suddenly walking through the woods, or on the hills (even in the rain) took on a new perspective.

 

There are many shows which come up on this site and it you were to write on here that you were going and wanted to meet up for coffee I am sure you would get responses. Most of us like our own space, and you will find that you too will soon get used to that, but it is really lovely to meet the people we speak to on site and have a chat and a cuppa with them. PLEASE don't give up just yet... give it a try and big hugs to you. The loneliness must be awful at the moment, but although your memories will always remain, you will begin to laugh again and remember with a smile. Joy

Posted
many thanks for all your advice and i read them all. As you may have guessed i live on the Isle Of Man and getting to rallys in the UK is difficult although i have many freinds here with our own club. But taking all your advice i am giving lone camping a go so i will be off to england on the 9th september so if you see a manx Adria MMN 920 at Kingsbury or Clitheroe give us a shout the kettle is always on thanks to you all and happy camping :-D
Posted
Hi, So pleased to read you will carry on, with motorhoming, And will be coming over to England, I am sure there are many people in the areayou are visiting, will be pleased to meet you, Well Done, and Good Luck, You might need quite a big teapot so be prepared , Ria. (lol)
Posted

As Ria says, if you let people know where you are going - is it to a festival? - then I am sure they will look out for you. Joy

 

PS Sorry, my above post and the mention of a dog, crossed with Tracker's. :'(

Posted
Hello, and as all the above posts may I add my sympathy at your loss, and agree of course it will be difficult, but well worth giving it a go, there are many ways to camp solo as as been said, one way I found interesting while on holiday at a CCC site last year a gentleman of 80 who was on his own, had booked 2 nights on every CCC in England Scotland & Wales pre booking and going from on site to another taking him over 3 months, it was such a talking point on the sites as he chatted to people, I thought it was a great idea and he was certainly enjoying it, whatever you choose to do take your time, maybe you may decide to change the Motorhome as Tracker says, but please keep posting on Chatterbox and join in with the chats you are more than welcome. Carol.
Posted

Hi. Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

Having been through the experience at Christmas three years ago I would definitely say "Carry On Camping"

My suggestion is that you either join a CC centre or the CCC local DA.

You may know that the UK is divided up into regions and each region organises weekly rallies or meets. If you go with the same group for a while you will soon make a new friends. Later you can attend functions in other areas of the UK and also abroad.

Whilst one Club claims to be "The Friendly Club" I find that they are no different from the others, perhaps a little more casual.

 

As an active member of a CC Centre for many years I have found other members to be very supportive.

 

The main difficulty was using the same MH. Every drawer, cupboard and box had memories. After a few months I changed MH's, which is now mine and not ours.

 

Have courage. I am sure that your good lady would want you to go on, and get out and about.

Posted

Hi John. Been trying to put myself in your position where the loss of your wife must now leave a huge void in your life. Difficult to say the least to come to terms with this loss, but agree with what's already been said and hope you can find the strength and courage to carry on with motorhoming, which i'm sure is what your wife would have wanted.

All the best, and look after yourself.

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