I need to spend a week ALONE somewhere. Any suggestions?

[moondog]

I've spent far too much time with my kids and dh has spent far too much time without them and not enough time in sole charge so am orf.

I don't care about lying on beaches (just done that) but want something involving improving mind and/or body (no 'spas' frequented by vapid blonde 'therapists' called Debs bleating about exfoliation and dehydration, no yoga (shudder) and on no account no emotional workshops or 'group work'.

I am mysteriously drawn to bracing walking pilgrimages in North of Spain accompanied by tweedy spinsters or poss. breadmaking courses.

Any ideas?

And if so, what's your idea of fun?

SW - any recommendations (sorry MD - slight hijack...) re accomodation in San Sebastian? Cheap and cheerful is fine (we are hoping to Arzaks again - swoon)

Twas a joke, moondoggie

although i am thinking of horse riding in wales (am 28, is that too old?)

Have strong puritannical streak as you know WWW.
I can do unashamed pleasure but only for few days at a time.

Just back form debauched weekend out in middle of nowhere with friends which ended in me collapsing in heap around the fire pit,rollie in one hand,flagon of wine in t'other.

Most unwell all of yesterday.

My idea of fun is sex drugs fags and booze in paallel world.

At mo is cooking,keeping fit,seeing new stuff.

Like most folk.

oh good lord no, I went there 16 years ago with my bezzie mate, got a flight to pamplona for 39 notes ...... it just made a big impression that's all.

I have used those Paradores a few times and they are superb.

I do indeed know about yer puritanical streak Moondog!

a short cookery course somewhere gorgeous?

taking you very literally

A friend did this walk alone and said it was great. Lots of people to talk to doing the same walk, and if they bore you, you just zoom off.

Oranges,yes thinking on those lines. Read hilarious Tim Moore book about it recently and thoguht stsyed with me.
Off for an ice cream with the kids.
Thanks all,willl follow up and any more suggestions gratefully received.

I've done nowt but learn languages me whole life DS.
Ray Mears stylee appeals.I want to do one of those berry/mushroom/samphire picking things.Am well into all that but idea of paying for it seems at odds with the ethos.

As for WOMAD....would rather poke me eyes out. Afrocelt bloody sound system bound to make appearence and will be plethora of wiry 50 something women with long grey plaits and brillo pads under arms dancing like loons alone at front of stage.

I need solo activity. Music festival alone would be very lame.

hey my buddhist sista has brillo pads under her armpits and long plaits flowing down her back.......youve obviously met her before..

she even claims to have started the whole mooncup explosion (mooncup explosion?? eewwww, that would be gross)

Lol lol lol
Am a latent brillo pad woman meself but keep it under control with lashings of nail polish and occasional outings of make up bag.

Dh has banned me from making further tye dye purchases though.

Go and stay with my mat in very undeveloped area of Italy?
She has a farm place that needs lots of work doing on it and taks WOOFers there in return for full board. then you can sit and drink lots in the evenins or go and find a nubile young Italian to ogle.
Tis a very nice place actually. She and her husband are hoping to open a sa retreat/yoga relaxation place next yera.

YHA have a special interests section on their website eg, Pig roast and beer tasting night or Gourmet Cumbrian Food and Drink Weekend.

But it wouldn't be exactly solo.

How solo do you want to be? All day? All night?

ROFL at wirey grey head brillo pad women.

i can second suzywong on the pardores, esp the one in leon. you could paradore hop doing the santiago pilgrim route...
or nick nairn has a cookery school which is meant to be amazing in scotland.

Woofing sounds great (although one such place about 10 miles up the road..) as does that YHA thing.I would happily stay home and do stuff here (lovely North Wales) but dh kindly pointed out that unless i leave him completely in charge,there will be no real chance of rest and recharging.

I would like to be surrounded by nice folk but not obliged to spend every minute with them iyswim.

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-trust/w-volunteering/ w-workingholidays.htm

working hols organised by Nat Trust

sounds like hell to me but a friend did a few days' worth of drystone walling and loved it

No, t'would be ace.

My Buddhist next door neighbour went on a month long solitary retreat in the mountains behind Denia on the Costa Blanca. He stayed in a hut with no gas or electricity and read improving books all day.

Bit grim Gruffle...

Puffle rather.
(Sounds like my lofe now only with mod cons and two kids!)

Moondog i justread one of your posts below. My next door neighbour is beardy, was formerly known as Dave and now known as Buddhashanti.