Big birthday weekend alternatives

[blondeassassin]

I have a big birthday coming up. It ends with 0 is all I'll say. I want to mark it by doing something completely different just for me. Not for the kids or husband and I really don't want a party. It would just be stressful. I don't want to go out and get hammered because I no longer drink and this is something really really important to me. It has to fit into a weekend or long weekend as I can't take time off work at that time of year (summer).

So can you inspire me with quirky interesting selfish birthday weekend ideas that don't include alcohol. I love travelling but unsure about weekend places. I love sun and sea and swimming. I love trying new things. But I suppose I'm just not aware of adventurous things to do as my life used to revolve around drinking and parties. Im fairly fit and healthy and newly brave so HIT ME!!!

Water sport weekend.

Or a mixture of things brunch with friends, dinner with family, massage.

Do you have childcare. I remember pre kids being on holiday and there was a couple who were on a holiday for 4 days, the place we were staying was a bit of a faff to get to and I didn’t understand the point of it. Now I have kids and zero childcare I completely understand why they did it.

Oh and I'm UK based in a big city

Yes I have young children and I love them dearly . But I don't want them involved in my birthday

@Pissinthepottyplease

Water sport weekend.

Or a mixture of things brunch with friends, dinner with family, massage.

Do you have childcare. I remember pre kids being on holiday and there was a couple who were on a holiday for 4 days, the place we were staying was a bit of a faff to get to and I didn’t understand the point of it. Now I have kids and zero childcare I completely understand why they did it.

Water sport weekend like kayaking or something. I've never done ANYTHING like that - it sounds fun.

Go off and learn to scuba dive. You could do the theory and pool training in two days but then you'd need a few more days to do the open water bit.

I suggest you book a short break somewhere like Malta for your next solo adventure, but you can do it in a quarry in the UK also.

How about something like this? www.cumulusoutdoors.com/adventure/coasteering/

My friends have done it and had a brilliant time.

Weekend away with SwimTrek or Sea Swim Cornwall? I know people who have been on breaks with them and had lovely times (a friend recently did the Isles of Scilly on a swim holiday) - there are also some swim/ paddleboard/ yoga ones around. I'd booked myself a weekend learning to sew my own swimming costumes which was combined with swimming in the sea (and then got pinged) as a treat.
The outdoor swimming society on FB is a great community to find these sort of things if it is something you'd like to do

For my 40th my husband paid for me to go Coasteering and then kayaking, all in one day! I was exhausted! Loved the Coasteering but hated the kayaking (but probably because I was exhausted from the morning and had no energy to paddle). I thought I was fit. This proved I wasn't!

@ArtyFartyQueen

How about something like this? www.cumulusoutdoors.com/adventure/coasteering/

My friends have done it and had a brilliant time.

That looks perfect!!!

@CMOTDibbler

Weekend away with SwimTrek or Sea Swim Cornwall? I know people who have been on breaks with them and had lovely times (a friend recently did the Isles of Scilly on a swim holiday) - there are also some swim/ paddleboard/ yoga ones around. I'd booked myself a weekend learning to sew my own swimming costumes which was combined with swimming in the sea (and then got pinged) as a treat. The outdoor swimming society on FB is a great community to find these sort of things if it is something you'd like to do

Fantastic!!! I love the idea of those

@Karatema

For my 40th my husband paid for me to go Coasteering and then kayaking, all in one day! I was exhausted! Loved the Coasteering but hated the kayaking (but probably because I was exhausted from the morning and had no energy to paddle). I thought I was fit. This proved I wasn't!

Maybe I'll just do one then!

When will you be going? what is the weather most likely to be like?
If a chance of good weather then do outdoors but if not plan something indoors I would say to minimise the risk of it being ruined.

Don't learn to squba dive in a weekend in a horrible pit in the UK, save that for sunnier places with clear water etc.

Do you like cooking? A weekend at a cookery school in Italy or France? or even the UK.

I do think the watersports ideas are good, how about taking a sailing course over a weekend?

It will be June. I do love cooking but I would worry cooking in france would lead to wine. All excellent ideas! I am excited now.

Strange as it may seem, doing nothing, going nowhere, just being at home and not making a thing of it could be an option. Sitting in the garden, having family make the meals that day (if they don't normally).

Or the canoeing/kayaking.

Lol! Love this thread, I came on to suggest a water sports/wild swim type activity.

If you are in the N of England, Swim the Lakes do adventure swim days/weekends too

In N Wales, Plas y Brenin do all sorts out outdoor pursuits.

My 0 birthday was in the winter lockdown. I went for 2 wild swims, a walk and a bike ride over the course of 3 days with 4 different friends.

I hope you find something wonderful to celebrate.