Bank holidays

I haven’t read all the replies but there are of course different ways of looking at Bank Holidays! Now that most shops are open at least part of the day, they can be treated like any other Monday
Personally the last place I would head to on a BH would be the seaside or any major tourist attraction. Why ever?Now that I am retired I am free to go midweek or whever I feel like it.
This weekend I chose to head off on Friday morning visit my B and Sis in law for a couple of days then call in at DD’s (about midway, 75 miles) for yesterday afternoon and today, (leaving after lunch) as the little ones were off school and SIL was at home.
I didn’t actually register the fact that it was a BH except that there were more people out and about, sitting outside cafes and in the park. All very friendly!
I too have been on my own for the last 6 months now and it was frankly an effort to go away, but once done I have enjoyed it and feel Paw would have approved.
If you do choose to sit in the garden you can always make it a bit more special with extra special picnic food and drink, a new paperback (I know, I do live in the fast lane!) or if wet, treat myself to a DVD of a film I haven’t seen.
Life is for living, not wishing the days away. And contrary to the advance advertising or the media, the rest of the world are not frolicking on the beach showing off their super sleek figures!

Allygran1 Those of us who are alone don't want to impose on friends who are spending time with their families. Since being widowed I have also found the invitations to parties, BBQs and the like have dried up. I was always aware that the invites were mainly for my DH (he was the life and soul of the party) but to find out that neighbours have invited other neighbours and not me is hurtful, especially when they instruct those delivering parcels to leave them with me, ask me to watch their house when they are on holiday etc.

I do go out - a lot - but during a Bank Holiday to wander around alone when everyone else is enjoying family time is difficult - so please have some compassion.

Yes, I think they are a bit. Weekends aren't so bad but they tag on another day, don't they? It may be anathema to many of you but I do my big shop on Sundays, then I generally go until Tuesday until I see another person. I haven't shopped this week due to unusual circumstances. I'm being taken to a hospital appointment on Tuesday so things are a bit different.
Bank holidays seem to have a different feel to them which I can't explain. It's nice and quiet in the garden.

Pamdixon, I am abroad. It is raining and thundering, so I can't even sit outside!

Sorry Sunny82z that you feel I am being harsh. My view is that being alone does not mean you have to be lonely. We are all different. But it does not help to encourage ones loneliness by indulging in being more lonely because it is a bank holiday, they are just days. Go out visit friends. Have a walk, do the garden, go on a coach trip, do what you would do normally. Don't assume I don't know something about this.

I loathe bank holidays - always have, even though I have DH at home. But this one is passing me by as I had a hip replacement 10 days ago so am alternating between pain and drug induced stupors!

I'm one of the lucky ones - have always been happy in my own company. My husband died over 11 years ago. Initially my two children were still based at home, but although I am now alone, I rarely suffer from loneliness.

Yes, my husband has just said he will be home late from work this evening so I am annoyed at the thought of spending the evening on my own. Anyone like to come round for drinks then go out for an Italian meal?
Don't have any sherry will have to be gin and tonic. No lemon either but do have ice.perhaps there should be a Bank Holiday Club.

I actively dislike Bank Holidays, none of the normal events are on, most people are involved with family, the roads are jammed. However nothing compares with the awfulness of Christmas and New Year, so I am just counting the blessings of a sunny May Day. For a start its only one day, not an entire week and a half, and the weather is about as good as it ever gets - in the UK or abroad. 25 degrees, blue sky, no wind, cool nights, no bugs and all the trees in their beautiful brand new spring green foliage.

I don't go out on Bank Holidays & rarely at the weekend unless it's to visit my DD & family or a Saturday/Sunday Lunch with a Meet Up group.

I prefer not too go out (unless it's to the local shop) as I live in a busy small Town on the edge of Dartmoor National Park & I'm about 8 miles from the coast.

I have spent the weekend pottering about in my garden, fortunately I like my own company. I hate getting stuck in traffic jams. Allygran I totally agree with you, no need to feel lonely although it is difficult if you're housebound or have no transport.

A trifle harsh Allygran1? Possibly us ladies that are alone were "having a moment", it happens. When I am feeling a bit down about being on my own I put an Abba CD on and have a bop round the sitting room.

No. Bank holidays are just days. All the shops are open, our friends still live where they live, the telephone still works. Gransnet is still operating, the newspapers are still on sale.

Stop looking for reasons to feel lonely. It is not a good thing to do to yourselves.

sarahellenwhitney Thank you for reminding me that i am not so strange don't forget shops might close early today.
Nanny27
I think there is forum with local groups but I cant ever find anything in my area but I am in South East of England SO1 area if anyone wants to start anything.

Saturday morning I felt so sad being on my own for the weekend I could of cried.
But that won’t help I told myself and painted my bedroom.
It helped but it’s sad for so many people but we all have each other on here.
Thank goodness x

Is there a forum on gransnet where people can meet others in their area? I've looked at the local ones but can't find anything anywhere near me

pinkjj27
You and me both and no doubt many more..However I managed to get dressed.
I need to go out and get a few items for my fridge, not likely to starve, but dread it as I can imagine what the roads are like.

I too find Bank Holidays drag somewhat since I retired as I live alone. I am very active in the WI and also a member of several Meetup dining groups but I have restricted mobility due to arthritis so cannot take part in many summer activities which involve walking!

Last year I decided to treat myself to a patio awning as although I love sunny weather, I do not like to sit in direct sunlight. It did not get much use last year as it was fitted later in the summer but I was racing to go this week with all this lovely sunshine. I got a sun lounger out of the garage, took all my bits and bobs outside in preparation for an afternoon reading and crocheting then got the awning out - it is electric so only needs a press of a button!

But then the fun started! It has a wind sensor so that if it suddenly gets windy, it will retract so as not to damage the fabric. But it must be too sensitive as the damn thing was going up with even a slight hint of a breeze. After several goes up and down, I gave up and called the shop I bought it from. I now have a technician coming on Wednesday to remove the sensor and apparently I have to sign a form informing me that the company are not responsible for any wind damage! Which I am happy to do it it means I can use it!

I am going to try again today but I might have to wait until late afternoon to go outside when the sun moves off the patio. Hey ho, the joys of technology!

Hm999
Thank you I could go and buy cat food but I probably have to buy a cat first.
I do suffer anxiety so yes it plays its part. I am dressed now and going to get out that door thank you to you and the gran that send me a private message.

So sorry Pinkjj to hear that.

When I felt like that, I used to deliberately only buy cat food for one day at a time, so I had to get dressed and go out to the corner shop. (Not getting dressed in the morning is sometimes a sign of depression - fight it.)

Luckily I still have my DH so enjoy Bank Holidays although he will spend much of the day messing about in the garden and his greenhouse - so glad not to have to do anything, entertain visitors, travel - its too hot to go out anyway- I hope if/when he pops off that I will still be contented - but who knows.

Since I lost my husband I find every day difficult but yes today seems extra hard. I had convinced my self I was going to go out but still sat here in my pjs.

Off Topic! My friend remarked this morning 'Why do they call it a Bank Holiday when there are no longer any Banks left in the town?

I’ve hated bank holidays since I was a kid. The upheaval...the need to do something...the traffic... the five brothers and sisters all moaning... the car sickness...the rude ‘other people’..... why do it!!??!! Sit in your garden ..wander in and out of house...stroll to shops (they’re mostly open) drink wine ...cool if it it’s hot outside! Home bod me!!

Trapped in village on Bank Holidays.

There is no public transport in this rural area in the evenings, on Sundays and bank holidays so, unless I order a taxi well ahead, I can go nowhere after giving up driving because of disability.
I looked to see if I could get to the seaside by rail. This involved a taxi to nearest rail station (£13.20 one way) four changes of train and almost five hours of travel to get to Southwold about sixty miles away.
Dr Beeching has much to answer for. Those responsible for constant cutting of bus services (national government and local councils) have no conception of travelling except by car, as I once had. Yet there is constant news of the effect of loneliness on health and ageing. If

I dread bank holidays like other GN I see my family during the week and I work part-time but I feel weekends and bank holidays lonely it's about the only time I feel like this roll on Tuesday back to work.