Solo Christmas

MeAndMyDogs
MeAndMyDogs Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited October 2021 in Solo Caravanning & Touring #1

Any solos fancy getting together over Christmas? I’m thinking of a few days away, maybe arrange a Christmas lunch in a pub - or perhaps organise our own buffet?

Comments

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited October 2021 #2

    Where are you located I am in Scotland 

  • MeAndMyDogs
    MeAndMyDogs Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited October 2021 #3

    I’m in south west England.... happy to travel midway?

  • redface
    redface Forum Participant Posts: 1,701
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    edited November 2021 #4

    With such extremes of residences why not arrange a meet using, say, Midlands D A.s and checking out their campsites/contacts to see if any are available?

    Assuming more than 5 wish to attend otherwise perhaps a CL.

  • Collingham
    Collingham Forum Participant Posts: 7
    edited April 2022 #5

    Just seen your post.  I went on my own to Woodland Waters for Christmas.  Nice pitch overlooking the lake, but weather was awful.  However, had a fantastic Christmas day dinner in the restaurant.  5 courses including port with cheese course.  All for £64. Would have no hesitation booking again.  Some company would be nice.

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited June 2022 #6

    Is solo camping a thing of the past

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited June 2022 #7

    ‘A thing of the past’, if a person identifies as solo they are solo-past & present🤷🏻‍♂️

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited July 2022 #8

    Any solo campers up for a meet now summers here 

  • Graydjames
    Graydjames Forum Participant Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2022 #9

    Interesting that you asked this? 

    On the contrary, as a solo camper, in various motor homes, since 1987, I am perfectly certain that there are significantly more solo campers now than then.

    Moreover, it is more accepted and understood than it used to be in the 1980s and 1990s when single campers could be viewed as odd. Certainly site managers do not react with surprise as they once tended to do.

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited July 2022 #10

    Good to hear so where are they this form doesn’t get many hits

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited July 2022 #11

    Out & about doing solo things & living their best life👍🏻😊

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #12

    This section used to be more active when there were a group that used to get together regularly but they seemed to moved their activities to other online groups. There are of course some well known solo groups out there. I get the impression that there are some solo touring  members that post on the forum generally but perhaps prefer to be solo rather than take part in a group? Also I think as other previously active solo members organising meets found it quite hard work to get it all organised. But this section is here for any solos who may wish to suggest any get togethers?

    David

  • Graydjames
    Graydjames Forum Participant Posts: 440 ✭✭✭
    edited July 2022 #13

    DK wrote:

    I get the impression that there are some solo touring members that post on the forum generally but perhaps prefer to be solo rather than take part in a group?

    This nails it entirely, both in a general sense, and, certainly, albeit anecdotally, in my case. 

    I don't do groups. I have several reasons for this, but it is not because I am anti-social.

    In fact, I am very sociable in one on ones or very small groups that do not impose any norms or expectations about what I might or might not do; if I do not get to chat with other campers when staying on site, especially my neighbours, then my stay is spoiled and not at all the same. I never fathom why some will avoid interaction at all costs. 

    Only recently, at Wirral Country Park, I met a man of similar age, recently widowed, who was there for a meet with a singles group. We had a lovely long chat, which was a delight; I explained why, as a solo motor-homer, I would not want to join a singles group and he understood. But it was obvious to me that, given that he had previously caravanned for many years with his wife, it was a great benefit to him, now that he was alone, to have the regular and friendly contact of others. I respect that and I am glad for him that he has that option. I suppose it is all about doing these things in an informal, casual, ad-hoc way or doing them more formally and based on agreed timings and procedures. The latter is not for me, the former I love to do.

    I do now understand the point behind free2419's question which, at first, baffled me. Postings on the Solo's thread have always been few and far between.    

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #14

    I think it's good that the solo section has kept going and gives people the opportunity to chat even if meet ups don't happen  There are often adverts for solo groups in the information rooms on sites, New Companions is one of them.

    Out of interest on our recent C&Cc THS (temporary holiday site) there were quite a few solos taking part and people were being quite sociable generally. A lot of rallies provide social interaction too.

    It's interesting to hear different view points. smile

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #15

    Look out for the August magazine, there is a useful solos article in there and some contributions from solo members. smile

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited July 2022 #16

    Well the article in the August magazine was a bit of a disappointment.  There was no mention of the New Companions Camping Club, which is the one which many of the people who previously used to post on here joined.  It is by far the most active club for people who camp alone.  Did nobody from the editorial team think to look on the solo chats on here to find out what groups were around.  If you look on the notice boards on most club sites the NCCC has information on them.

  • ScreenName4DD3D4EFA4
    ScreenName4DD3D4EFA4 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited July 2022 #17

    I have just started touring solo.  It wld be good to know what groups or solo meet ups are around?

    Like some people have mentioned - if u meet up with other solo tourers you can have company but also do things on your own too.  Based in Scotland but open to travel beyond - trip to Wales & England planned shortly

    Look fwd to replies

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    edited July 2022 #18

    You might like to change your number for a name via "my profile." We will be able to spot you more easily when you post.smile

    Hope you manage to connect up via the various groups mentioned. 

  • Biggarmac
    Biggarmac Forum Participant Posts: 364
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    edited August 2022 #19

    It used to be busy on here but most of the posters joined other groups such as the New Companions Camping Club.  The NCCC website is www.newcompanions.org.uk

    They have a magazine which you can get by email or a paper copy.  In that magazine there is information on meets you can join in different parts of the country.

    Solos also go to Centre rallies and meets and rallies of other forums and groups.  One meet I was at recently 32% of the units onsite were solos.

  • Navigateur
    Navigateur Forum Participant Posts: 3,880
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    edited August 2022 #20

    Any of us could become a solo at any time - willingly or not.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited September 2022 #21

    I get a lot more leave from work than my wife does and so regularly tour solo, usually in pursuance of a couple of hobbies that my wife doesn't particularly share.......

    I equally enjoy my trips whether solo or with someone. I tend to organise my day slightly differently if solo and really enjoy only having to factor in what I want to do.....

    I'm hoping my better half doesn't leave me, but I would still be an avid tourer whatever....smile

     

  • Finnberrys
    Finnberrys Forum Participant Posts: 42
    edited September 2022 #22

    It is also possible to be solo some of the time but not all the time. I usually travel with my husband but sometimes with one of my nieces. I also do several solo trips per year. Not sure what you would call me really: touring-fluid? socio-neutral? Contrary-Mary?

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited September 2022 #23

    Flighty Finberry😂

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
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    edited November 2022 #24

    cool I'm on the I.o.W solo again for Christmas & New Year. Each to their own !! undecided

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited January 2023 #25

    Christmas is over where are we all going know 

  • Westward Bound
    Westward Bound Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited March 2023 #26

    Hello, I've just joined this site  , my first posting. hope I'm in the right Area ! I am a Solo Caravanner  Glad I'm not alone  ! I had a 2004 Freedom   Bijoux bought 2016  sold after lots of maintenance in 2021

    I now have an  Eldiss  Xplore 2019.  Lots of room  for a solo Caravanner.  4 Berth and a motor mover too ! Weight approx. 1043   Kilos plus motor mover.  which could  be up to 30 extra kilos, but I might be wrong.

    It was a learning Curve with the  Freedom Bijoux. It was well over 10 years old .I really should have joined this club  back in 2016, when I bought  it .  It was my first Caravan. But that's another Story.

    I need to change my  Tow Car. My current one is  a kia Soul, 16.00 but now getting expensive to run. I'm thinking of  something  2 Litre,  possibly Skoda , or Ford , Or Seat   , but nothing ridiculously large .  Possibly second hand, no more than 4 years old.

    Any ideas ,  Folks,  Thank you

       

     

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,190 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #27

    Hello and welcome. Can't help with tow car, never towed. I'm sure someone will be along with some helpful tips before long. You might even want to start a thread of your own if you don't get feedback very soon. 

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2023 #28

    Welcome, WB.

    I think you might get more views and responses if you post in the Towcars & Towing section where there are several similar threads to read.

    Basically, the recommendation (not law) is that you need to make sure the fully laden weight of your van (MTPLM) as stated on its plate is round about 85% or less of the car's kerb weight (more or less its unladen weight). The weight of the mover is counted as part of your payload while the MTPLM is the weight that matters.

    2 litre sounds good 👍🏻

  • free2419
    free2419 Forum Participant Posts: 46
    edited March 2023 #29

    Try ssangyong korando 2.2liter good tow car