Bank holidays

Yes, also weekends. Friends naturally want to spend the time with their families so it is not unusual for me to go from Friday to Monday without seeing or speaking to anyone.

Yes, I am more aware of my isolation at these times

Indeed yes,the same goes for those house bound.The press emphasise that the roads are heaving with traffic,the rail service cannot cope with the hordes,flights are delayed because of the immense pressures....................and so it goes on.......they make sure you are made well aware that the public are all on the move!!!
So there you are stuck at home ........alone or house bound and it can get to you.

However quite frankly home can be that sanctuary,a haven because you have all comforts at hand, the larder and fridge nicely stocked and you can switch on the T.V,radio or enjoy a magazine or newspaper without fear of being trampled underfoot by the masses!

Best thinking positive I have found.

Yup. So far I have painted the bathroom and tidied the shed. I try to have a plan to do a job. I know I’m lucky to be fit and able.

Weekends and bank holidays are lonely for me too. I see my family and GCs during the week but at weekends they have their family time. I sat in the sun and read a book yesterday and today I will potter in the garden. They would be here if I need them.
I sometimes wonder if they think I live alone because I like it (divorced) when actually I live alone because that’s how it’s turned out!

YES! I hate Bank Holidays. Everyone seems to be off doing something lovely with their families and being alone seems somehow much worse on Bank Holidays.

Yes they can be, but I don’t help myself a lot of the time. I could get out a there and find some company, but when it comes to it I tend to stick to my own. Sometimes it just gets a bit too much being the spare at a gathering.

I dislike Bank Holidays & weekends too. Friends are with their families & family have to have time for themselves as a family. So I volunteer in a Charity shop on Sundays or I would go 'Stir Crazy'!

I have always disliked Bank Holidays, even before I lost my husband - now I loathe them.

on the other hand, if the sun is shining where you are - you could pretend you are abroad, and sit out with a drink and a good book and what the hell? (that probably only applies to this weekend though - bet it rains on the next bank holiday).

I love bank holidays. I work full time and look forward too them. I lived on my own for 11 years but always found things to do.
Did O/P and others always dislike bank holidays,or has this dislike only happened since you retired or lived on your own?
When I lived on my own weekends and bank holidays were the same for me sometimes, but I still looked forward to them as a rest from work.

Yes, bank holidays and weekends are difficult, especially when I think of what DH (who died in February) and I would have been doing (a nice drive out to sit in the sun, have a drink and some lunch). Saturday I went to the final rugby match of the season; DD and SIL also had tickets, so they picked me up and brought me home. Yesterday I pottered in the garden, then cooked a nice steak and had a glass (or two!) of red wine. This afternoon I shall take myself to the park to listen to the band, probably have an ice cream and some wine, and enjoy the music. Luckily I don't mind my own company.

All who are feeling lonely, please check to see if there are over 50’s MeetUp groups in your area. I get daily emails and the ladies are planning all sorts .... lunch, walks on the seafront, cinema trips etc I personally am taking a book and a glass of wine out in the garden to swing on my hammock in the sunshine !

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.

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’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!!

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?

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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!

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.

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