1st time solo

Toeknee and Cheza · Member

1st time solo

Eaglemax · Guru

Toeknee and Cheza wrote:
Hi my name is Tony
I have done a fair amount of caravaning with my beautiful wife Cheryl
unfortunalely Cheryl passed away 12 months and i wish to
continue caravaning but not overly keen on doing so by myself
i was wondering if anyone could lead me to the right path for traveling
with others im from sth australia

Hi Tony

I've had 4 long term relationships and between them had periods of being a solo traveller. The last 12 years I've been with my wife and still caravanning.

What I have found is many single people, male and female, travel alone. Just walking a dog can automatically introduce you to others both single and solo, in fact for female company if I was ever left single due to a demise like you have had, I'd do just that as our mini foxies are cute as a button.

I would also suggest if you are not on Facebook it might be time to try it even if its only for that purpose. try- Solo Motorhome - Caravaners and Campers Australia

All the best

Tony

Whenarewethere · Guru

My other half has spent about 3 to 4 months on average every 18 months in Europe, I went not as frequently, had to earn money. I know it's not a permanent seperation, but I was surprised how well I coped. Latter years, I enjoyed the space more.

Maybe plan (or better still simply go) a week only trip not too far from home at somewhere you may have had some interest. Take a few books, computer, maps with you for walking, camera or audio recorder for bird calls.

Last major year for us, I went to Tasmania for a month by myself. She went to Europe for 2 months. I drove from Sydney to pick her up from Perth airport over two weeks.

I really enjoyed the travelling by myself, could do it at the pace I wanted, one night camped for 3 nights in a space totally by myself, another a couple of nights, it was a really peaceful experience.

Having said that, I was also surprised how one gets into a routine for the current situation of travelling. Not necessarily good or bad, just how it is.

Just start off with a small trip to get you going for the new situation. I think things will fall into place without you really realising the new way of travelling.

You may be able to reduce payload to get to those places on your unfulfilled wish list. Or swap for some recovery gear to get down those tracks you were quietly thinking of. Just a thought!

Gundog · Guru

I understand your reticence to venture off as a solo traveller, but at some stage you should just do it, the longer you hold off the bigger the rut you will find ourself in.

My personal view you are better off just to start off on a couple of short trips by yourself to become comfortable with being a solo traveller, personally I could never bring myself to travell with someone else, I would rather set my own timetable.

Yesterday I met a bloke like you who has recently lost his partner, he is finding it difficult to start travelling again, he has been at a Veterans Retreat surrounded by many of his age, companionship is helping his grief recovery, he expects to start travelling again but when he's not sure.

Are We Lost · Guru

I agree with the previous comments about taking small steps.

But I think you need to decide for yourself if you are ready. You need to be comfortable in just your own company, and being away from the comfort of home may not be the best solution. When travelling I would choose places you have not been to before, because a familiar location may bring back memories that would be better avoided.

On the other hand, a trip in total isolation may be difficult. But once achieved, you will see everything else is easier.

We are all different so your way of dealing with life may be different from others.

Toeknee and Cheza · Member

thanks everyone for their comments
i was hoping to travel with other caravaners as the
group of friends are not always available so is there anything like that around where solo travers
plan trips together?

TheHeaths · Guru

Tony, if you Google solo caravan clubs, you will get some ideas.

The Australian Caravan Club has a solo chapter, and say their clubs welcome solo travellers.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Sunday 19th of November 2023 01:43:40 PM

Toeknee and Cheza · Member

thankyou