My husband died.Scared of touring alone.

Of course you should and the sooner the better. 

Ho bozzer and sorry for your loss.

First thing to do is get yourself on a towing course, there’s plenty of info on here.  Mrs One tows our van both here and over there.  She also knows how to set up everything and to pack away.  I would like to think that if I shuffled of this mortal coil she would continue.  

As you say there’s always someone around to help.

All the best and please let us know what you decide

Sorry for your loss bozzer, you must have had some tough times.

With regard to you towing...Of course you can do it!

As you rightly point out, there'll be others on sites and on this forum, who'll be around to help you and once you've got the confidence to tow your van, there'll be no stopping you.

Have you considered attending one of the Club's towing courses? My sister went on one as she had never towed and didn't particularly want to, but decided to 'take the plunge' if only in case of emergency. She loved it and it gave her the confidence to tow (and reverse their caravan onto a pitch)

There's also plenty of tips in the 'advice and training' section ^^^^^

If you prefer to try on your own, or with a friend and live near a business park, they can be fabulous places to practice at weekends. 

Good luck and I'm sure you'll have many happy memories still to make.

I'm sure someone who has experienced this will answer you soon, Your are used to towing so I suppose the problem is "what if something happens". For peace of mind I would join Mayday or similar, then you know someone is at the end of the phone, you might decide to attend the Solo's meets/rally you will have made contact before hand and swapped mobile no's, then you will know someone is waiting for you, and to help with setting up.  Your confidence will be lifted knowing you are not alone.

Hello Bozzer, have you had a look on the Solos section on here, there are many people out there who've had similar experiences and quite a few who have always towed solo. There are also some other solo groups who would welcome and encourage you. I think they are also listed in the solos section. 

I hope you can find the courage to give it a go as you obviously love going away in your van and there will be happier times ahead. 

As well as the solos group started on here by Vivien there is www.newcompanions.org.uk 

Hi!  I lost my husband 6 years ago suddenly, I sat for a year contemplating on can I ever go away again in the caravan?  I had been away to a center rally or to but felt very isolated so like I said, I sat and wondered.

On here a gent asked about going to Warwick racecourse CMC site and wondered what it was like, after a fashion both myself, the gent and 4 other Solos met up exactly 5 years ago this coming weekend. We also had a visitor on site that weekend, David S Brooke’s, one of the Mods here at CMC, it was a great weekend away, we sat, drank, ate and chatted more. We were all Widows/widowers, so knew how each other felt.

We went on to have further meet ups all over the country, from a few days away to two week holiday in Cornwall and Scotland Isles etc. Some sites have been hard standing, some grass, but we all helped each other regardless as and when. The largest meet was at Clumber CMC site where over 17 people attended.

We are not a club, no membership or details are held. We have a sign you print off and this works two ways. If on a site on your own you see a sign in the window, you know they are a Solo and would like a chat, plus it helps at a meet to recognise who is who as we do not park in a huddle, you book and park as and where you want.

Now!  I used to do the odd bit of towing before my husband passed away. I had a refresher course and plucked up courage to venture 20 miles from home to a site I knew very well. I cried all the way there, I knew my husband would be proud that I have continued something we loved. I arrived and everything went smooth, I did not rush at anything.  It was strange but I enjoyed the trip plus was proud of myself!   

Since that first trip away I have covered thousands of miles towing, enjoying each and every site I have visited.

Now I know there are Solos near to you, but I do not have their details, it’s not what we do, but I do know they also belong to New Companions. I too am a member, both New Companions and Solos seem to work alongside each other offering opportunities to let people go away and not always alone.

I hope you do book into somewhere local and just take your time and enjoy!  Perhaps we may meet on a site somewhere soon?

Please go to the front page of this sections and you will see Solos and also diary dates. Sparse at the moment but does change as the year goes on!

I have always wanted a caravan but due to the amount of traffic these days making me rather nervous of towing, after a legacy 5 years  ago, decided to buy a motorhome instead. I take my 2 dogs with me and have never had any problems apart from the occasional, ignorant Lewis Hamilton wannabe who think that they own the road, but you can come across them anywhere and whatever vehicle or outfit you are driving.  I have always stayed on either C&MHC  or C&CC sites and find that the wardens and most of the other members are very helpful and friendly.  Good luck to you as I am sure you will enjoy your trips.

So sorry to hear of your loss Bozzer. I'm not a solo caranner but just a thought. When we go away we do chat to others on-site and sometimes offer to help if a neighbour looks to be having difficulty with, say, an awning. However knowing how reserved we as a nation are we do tend to keep ourselves to ourselves. Several times we have spotted 'solo' caranners or motorhomers and have wanted to be a bit more friendly but have been reticent at making the first move. On several occasions we have struck up a conversation with a 'solo' after several days of wondering 'I wonder if they would like a chat rather than a simple hello'. Almost always we have found that yes, they really wanted to chat but didn't want to be the first to initiate the exchange. So, maybe us 'non solos' need to be a bit more forward and spotting someone on their own on-site go out of their way to be a bit more friendly. I'll try to practise this next time we are away.

Hi Bozzer, you have my sympathies for your loss. I was widowed over 20 years ago with two young children. 

Although I now have a partner, he is self employed and can't take the amount of holidays I get as a teaching assistant. I decided in 2015 that I wanted a caravan so had a look around and bought myself one! I booked on a towing course too.

Since then I am now on my third van and have towed all over the country. I spend 6 weeks in the summer in Cornwall, most of this on my own with my three little dogs. Roger joins me when work allows.

I would say to go for it. As long as you are physically fit enough to do the setting up you will be fine. I was always reticent to accept help, but now I realise if people are kind enough to offer then I'll accept! A good suggestion from someone to join Mayday, you have peace of mind then.

I had a lovely Easter last year at the North Yorks Moors site where I met a lady of 80+ years who was solo. She has a big Bailey with a fixed bed and like she said it was her home from home.

Im sure you won't regret it, but if you want to ask any questions, I'd be happy to help!

Gill