Thank you, yes, I suppose it doesn't have to be expensive. It must also be in part to do with my attitude - I feel a bit crap about my home, and need to deal with that first, really. It's a perfectly reasonable housing association property, I just haven't forgiven myself for not being able to purchase something marvellous (along with the rest of the fairytale). I had serious health problems on and off for many years, which put paid to a career...so far! Am about to start training to be a PA. I do see that wasn't my fault, objectively, I seem to still be able to give myself a really hard time about it. I am going to try to focus on making it smarter and tidier and better, making the best of what I have and all that.
Glitch, the citysocialising is a website that operates in 50 cities nationwide, it seems. They host (or members do) drinks out, curry nights, ghost walks, cinema trips, lots of stuff, that you RSVP to and if you pay the monthly subscription (minimum £9.99/month, which I think is quite steep tbh) you can attend what you like, and obviously pay on top for the drinks and curries and so on. They do have one free social for each member, and I am going to try their new members drinks night in Guildford this month. It seems to have lots of women, particularly, and apparently often appeals to newly singles, empty nesters, relocators and those who have found that all their friends have got partnered up and started having families. It seems quite young and vibrant. We shall see. Somehow I've got it into my head that it should be pretty non-threatening, though roomfuls of complete strangers have been known to seem pretty threatening to me in the past! Will of course post how it goes. Don't suppose any of you are near Guildford and want to come on the 13th do you? Long shot!