Dianne I would like to know when you think you are "IMPOSING" on people, where does this happen?, how often?, who has "brushed you off" or made you feel unwelcome, I want a name so I can have a word with him/her/them!!!

most travellers that I know would be only too glad to have you "tag" along with them for a while until you got to an area within yourself where you feel "safe" doesnt take long, normally within a week and by that time you are more than ready to "head out" on your own anyway, you dont have to stick to one, in that week you may befreind a dozen people, it happens all the time, you may have offers to "tagalong" with three or four different ones and love every minute of it, and so will they!!!

the website described above is a good thing to use to exactly that purpose, but dont underestimate the goodwill and freindship of fellow travellers either, I have yet to meet a person that would "shun" or disassociate themselves from a "solo" just the opposite, I have seen big gruff tuff fellers go way out of their way to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of solos (the good old boys come immediately to mind) and not in a pitifull or condescending manner either, all done in the name of freindship and highway camrderie

I would be a proud man indeed to help a fellow traveller, solo or newbie couple, along the way, have done many times, will do many times ahead, there are MANY others out there that think exactly the same as me, we all enjoy the company of others, or else why would we be out there

the "idea" of heading out solo is scary yes I agree, the reality of "doing it" is not, freindly people are everywhere, go and say g'day to them, find a nice group/couple and meet some new lifelong freinds, they are out there waiting for you

if in any doubt, send a private message to a lovely couple of people that are doing it right now, VON and MON would be only too pleased to tell you the truth and hard facts about solo travelling

thats the trouble when words are put down in this fashion, they can be misconstrued, my intent was not to "tell you off" but only to encourage you and others to not be afraid of just setting off and doing it, and on the way just approach people and let yourself be aproached,

nearly everyone is like me, out having a good time and enjoying the moment and would love to "share it" with other people be it solo/single/married/gay everybody loves to just be involved with others

now in the above answer you suggest that you have had offers of help and company, what, may I ask, held you back, surely a cuppa or a sit round a campfire is not that daunting, they are no different than you or I or joe and betty blogs down the street, how many times have you been sitting reading a book and someone has just walked past and said "hi how are you" and you have said "I'm just peachy" or words to that effect now how much of a bigger step is it to say "would you like a cuppa" or "where are you from/going" it really is as easy as that

we have met some absolutely fantastic people on our travels and have many many lifelong freinds, we achieve this by just saying g,day and would you like a beer or coffee, it's not rocket science but it is very rewarding, doesnt work everytime, there are some grumps and people who just want to be on their own, look thats fine, let them, but most times the offer is accepted and another freindship is in the offing