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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 19, 2019 6:40:00 GMT
Thread title chosen.
Countdown now just short of a week.
I’m a little...not nervous, but mildly apprehensive, as this will be the first time in my 54 years that I’ve holidayed alone.
I’m a creature of solitude, so I’m not at all worried about laying by the pool/sea and reading a book or listening to my music without anyone beside me. But the meals on a night may feel a little strange.
Anyway, cue the music. Dennis, it’s a bit bangy-thumpy.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 19, 2019 6:50:22 GMT
Every holiday starts with the prep. Previous years we’ve had a bit of a problem with electrical devices. Four of us, and a plethora of e-readers, walkpersons (people?), mobile phones, and so on. And unlike Ye Olden Dayes™ they don’t take batteries, they require charging. So that’s a huge assortment of EU-UK adaptors, charging plugs and 4 gangs (in one instance a 10 gang). But this time, even though there’s only going to be me, I’ve invested in one of these. www.amazon.co.uk/Extension-Outlets-Adapters-Required-Version/dp/B07HM8F9MTEU plug fitted. 6 USB connectors. Job done. I can charge my phone, my music player, my kindle e-reader, and my kindle tablet all at once. Still have 2 USBs and 3 plugs left over.
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Post by dennisn on Sept 19, 2019 8:26:13 GMT
So you can phone home with background music whilst reading a good book and tabletting. Handy.
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Post by bvrc on Sept 19, 2019 8:31:55 GMT
When organised, like you most likely are, I love the preparation of a holiday 😄. It’s not so good when you find yourself in the awful situation of not a thing packed, lots of stuff on, busy at work with a Thursday evening finish and due out of Gatwick at 0700 on a Friday morning 😢 This year we went on the Tuesday after BH Monday, I so enjoyed that sunny BH weekend and no stress!
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amy115
Full Member
Posts: 340
Visits to Skiathos: 5
Accommodation Stayed At: Thymis House Hotel
Dream House
Elizabeth Studios
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Post by amy115 on Sept 19, 2019 8:32:42 GMT
I remember my first solo holiday YM my feelings veered between elation and terror, right up to the day I flew. Comments I had from friends, family and colleagues, that I was brave, it was exciting, I would be fine, etc and from those that had gone solo themselves, that they would not holiday with anyone again, they had such a good time on their own, helped to boost my confidence.
Having finally arrived at my hotel and checked in following a long day of travel - plane diverted due to a storm and a very, very long transfer from the airport, I sat in the bar overlooking the bay, the sun was shining, I ordered my first meal of the holiday and sat there smiling like the Cheshire cat. I had done it and couldn't be happier.
I also embraced some excellent advice given to me by a friend at the time and that was to say good morning to people when I went down to breakfast. At first I would get muttered good mornings back but within a couple of days people were actually wishing me a good morning when I entered the restaurant area and even asking me to join them for breakfast!
Evenings I would take my phone and kindle out with me. I found that on the whole the staff in most restaurants I went into were friendly and took the time to chat with me. On the odd occasion it was just a case of taking my order and serving my food but that was fine, I had something to occupy myself with, if it wasn't the kindle it was my sister and friend driving me nuts with their constant texts; where was I, what was I doing, had I been out to dinner, had I met any nice people that day, what had I done that day, etc! I certainly didn't feel alone or lonely.
That holiday was the best of my life. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, I met some great people and at the end of the holiday I wished I had been braver and booked two weeks instead of one.
If I may offer some advice it would be this, be friendly - a smile, good morning/afternoon/evening etc may lead to a conversation and if dining alone in a taverna, don't isolate yourself, sit close to occupied tables, you never know, you may make some holiday friends. 😆
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Post by dennisn on Sept 19, 2019 14:42:45 GMT
Superlative advice, Amy.
Only one other bit to add - don’t put bangy thumpy music in your posts (in fact, just put Chopin and Shostakovich in).
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 19, 2019 15:36:54 GMT
So you can phone home with background music whilst reading a good book and tabletting. Handy. I quite like splitting the beach day into quarters. Listen to an album, read a few chapters, then lunch, then repeat the above. Superlative advice, Amy. Only one other bit to add - don’t put bangy thumpy music in your posts (in fact, just put Chopin and Shostakovich in). I have a plan. If it comes to fruition you may get a mixture of the two. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 19, 2019 16:04:53 GMT
I remember my first solo holiday YM my feelings veered between elation and terror, right up to the day I flew. Comments I had from friends, family and colleagues, that I was brave, it was exciting, I would be fine, etc and from those that had gone solo themselves, that they would not holiday with anyone again, they had such a good time on their own, helped to boost my confidence. Having finally arrived at my hotel and checked in following a long day of travel - plane diverted due to a storm and a very, very long transfer from the airport, I sat in the bar overlooking the bay, the sun was shining, I ordered my first meal of the holiday and sat there smiling like the Cheshire cat. I had done it and couldn't be happier. I also embraced some excellent advice given to me by a friend at the time and that was to say good morning to people when I went down to breakfast. At first I would get muttered good mornings back but within a couple of days people were actually wishing me a good morning when I entered the restaurant area and even asking me to join them for breakfast! Evenings I would take my phone and kindle out with me. I found that on the whole the staff in most restaurants I went into were friendly and took the time to chat with me. On the odd occasion it was just a case of taking my order and serving my food but that was fine, I had something to occupy myself with, if it wasn't the kindle it was my sister and friend driving me nuts with their constant texts; where was I, what was I doing, had I been out to dinner, had I met any nice people that day, what had I done that day, etc! I certainly didn't feel alone or lonely. That holiday was the best of my life. I could do what I wanted, when I wanted, I met some great people and at the end of the holiday I wished I had been braver and booked two weeks instead of one. If I may offer some advice it would be this, be friendly - a smile, good morning/afternoon/evening etc may lead to a conversation and if dining alone in a taverna, don't isolate yourself, sit close to occupied tables, you never know, you may make some holiday friends. 😆 You are of course co-responsible for the thread title, along with Dennis. What a great post. It’s helped me a lot to read that, and is full of sound advice. Fortunately part of my job is saying good morning to around a thousand people as they stream past me. It should stand me in good stead. Many thanks.
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Post by cariad23 on Sept 19, 2019 18:31:26 GMT
Thats a brilliant gadget , one thingy instead of loads plugs , will get one before next year
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Post by katet on Sept 19, 2019 20:16:22 GMT
You’ll be absolutely fine YM ..... I was planning to see if you wanted to meet us for dinner anytime during our overlap, but we’ve (very sadly) had to cancel. Will post about it when I can.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 20, 2019 6:20:18 GMT
You’ll be absolutely fine YM ..... I was planning to see if you wanted to meet us for dinner anytime during our overlap, but we’ve (very sadly) had to cancel. Will post about it when I can. Oh, gutted. Hope you’re okay. I was looking forward to at least a Mythos with you.
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 25, 2019 6:35:31 GMT
Add a power bank to that list of electronics.
I’ve also bought a new DAC/headphone amp to listen to music from my iPhone, but it uses the iPhone’s power, so no charging needed.
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Post by dennisn on Sept 25, 2019 10:23:46 GMT
I go away on holiday to get away from bangy thumpy music!
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Post by yorkshiremouth on Sept 25, 2019 18:03:42 GMT
I go away on holiday to get away from bangy thumpy music! I note that Shostakovich: 24 Preludes & Fugues is available in the UHD (better than CD quality) standard. Music can be quite beautiful, even though we have different tastes. And on a beach on Skiathos it’s just that much better.
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Post by dennisn on Sept 25, 2019 19:23:37 GMT
Two wonderful pieces by Shostakovich
Romance from The Gadfly
Waltz number two from Jazz suite number two.
The first brings me to tears, second to foot tapping and humming like a maniac.
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