How much time apart?

[Helen Ariel]

In keeping with Valentine's day and with me sitting pondering in the sun, enjoying one last basking session before heading back to chilly UK, I have a question for other motor homing couples.

How much time apart do you have from your partner when you're away travelling? I'm thinking more of the longer trips of a few months, as I think it's pretty normal to spend 24 7 together when you're just on a short break.

I've just realised that on this trip we've probably had only a few hours apart in 2 months. We're no Romeo and Juliet but it just ends up that way and I'm sure we'd actually benefit from making more time to have our own space. Probably less silly bickering incidents but when we travel we tend to move about a lot and when we get to new destinations we will go hiking, biking or out for a meal. Thinking about it when we had a dog with us it was a good incentive for popping out for a little solo time 1st or last thing in the day. Maybe it's time for a new dog

Happy valentine's!

 

[Mikey RV]

I need time alone so I go off mountain biking, hiking, surfing. It’s my time which i have to have. I think it’s important.

 

[Lenny HB]

Being retired no different to being at home.

 

[Carpmart]

We try and consciously spend as much time apart as possible. The reality is you never achieve all the individual time you each need, so aiming for it helps to at least get some time apart!

When you’re in such close proximity 24/7 and away for nearly 300 days as we are, you’re never apart enough to get quality individual time, which I think is important.

I also think she secretly hates me as she’s always excited when I go and fairly non plussed when I return.

 

[Mikeco]

My wife insists that I play golf three mornings a week.

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[Ingwe]

I also think she secretly hates me as she’s always excited when I go and fairly non plussed when I return.

It’s when you return and she says, “remind me of your name again” that one starts to worry.

 

[G-RMPS]

Virtually no “me” time when away. That’s why I have an airport, a plane, and fellow aviators to visit when I’m home.

 

[lorger]

During our recent 60 day retirement trip we did wonder how we’d go with being in each others pockets 24/7, although we’re coming up to 35 years married we always have our own interests and work so plenty to talk to each other about. Although during the trip we spent most of our time together I would still go for a cycle on my own a couple of times a week while Lorraine would do whatever she fancied which usually meant sunbathing

 

[Brains]

We met in 1986, 5 years later we bought a house together.

It took us 8 years before we spent 30 consecutive days together.
It took us 11 years before we did Christmas together.
It took us 15 years to get married.

And since we both effectively retired in 2020 we have spent more time together in the last 5 years than we did in the 30 years before combined!

 

[Pappy]

My wife encourages me to go fishing. She likes a little me time.

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[Mr porky]

We spend 9 months together in a very small space then 3 months apart.
Works for us.

 

[carolyn]

So far our longest trips have been about 2 months and some have involved organised tours. We do 2 or 3 a year. For us that’s about right. Nick likes to play golf at home and I have my circle of friends at the gym etc . I think I’d get restless if I was away longer.

 

[Helen Ariel]

So far from the replies I deduce that I am not going against the norm if I insist Paul takes up golf/fishing next trip so I can stay home and sunbathe. Only problem is we're usually in a carpark somewhere in Spain and that would break the no camping rule.

 

[lorger]

So far from the replies I deduce that I am not going against the norm if I insist Paul takes up golf/fishing next trip so I can stay home and sunbathe. Only problem is we're usually in a carpark somewhere in Spain and that would break the no camping rule.

If we’re parked on an Aire that doesn’t allow camping behaviour we just take our chairs to the beach or park

 

[nicholsong]

We spent 4 months on a MH trip last year and were probably only aoart for the occasional hour when Basia was going shopping for presents or walking when my back was giving trouble.

We can be in our own worlds even when together.

But we have only been together for 14 years.

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[VXman]

Not much time apart at all. Occasionally i will go for a walk on my own or if she wants to do a bit of relaxing in the sun I will go elsewhere as I can't sit still for that long and dislike the sun.

Being retired we are pretty much together all the time anyway except for a few things we do separately at home. After 40 years together we are used to it!

 

[grasscutter]

We've been together 47 years and started working together in 1999. We then retired together so this will be our 26th year of being together 24/7. Fortunately we both enjoy the same things so no problems.

 

[PaulW2]

Can't you just tune each other out as the situation dictates? May also be cheaper than a dog

 

[royandsharont]

We’ve been together for 50 years this year, married for 46 in June. Since retiring/giving up work 15 years ago we have almost been glued at the hip. The only real time apart was when I was sailing when we lived in Spain and volunteer work at a hospice when home. We love it and wouldn’t want it any other way. I know it would not suit many, but it does us, and both always happy . Life’s too short to be otherwise.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Courted Jennifer... National service stopped that courtship..... " Bad boy me " came back and fate had us meet about a year after i had done my two years..... Obstacles put in our way............. So we eloped.... Married '63.
Getting on now.. Me a '39'er... Jennifer 1942. Spent a lot of time away from home/long hours... but there are LOTS of jobs that do that.......... Every moment is precious . It would seem some people are joined at the hip,she has given me/allowed me to have everything i have ,i will be forever in her debt. Me time ? No........ OUR time .. There again,it works for us.
Tea Bag.
PS. Song "Kisses sweeter than wine.....? ." " .... oh lordy well i'd do it all again,because she had kisses sweeter than wine......."

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[Helen Ariel]

If we’re parked on an Aire that doesn’t allow camping behaviour we just take our chairs to the beach or park

Yes I think more time at the beach is in order!

 

[Helen Ariel]

We spent 4 months on a MH trip last year and were probably only aoart for the occasional hour when Basia was going shopping for presents or walking when my back was giving trouble.

We can be in our own worlds even when together.

But we have only been together for 14 years.

Same as us the worlds and the length of time

 

[pelican]

So far from the replies I deduce that I am not going against the norm if I insist Paul takes up golf/fishing next trip so I can stay home and sunbathe. Only problem is we're usually in a carpark somewhere in Spain and that would break the no camping rule.

Sounds like a good idea to pay up for camp sites if it gave the other half freedom

 

[Helen Ariel]

Can't you just tune each other out as the situation dictates? May also be cheaper than a dog

Lol we do certainly. Half of our disagreements are probably one of us telling the other 'i already told you that. Weren't you listening?'

 

[Helen Ariel]

Sounds like a good idea to pay up for camp sites if it gave the other half freedom

Yes I think that could be a plan for next year. Still learning. Only been doing this mh malarkey for 5 years.

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[jumar]

Before retirement we were like ships in the night...then in 1998 we retired and left the UK to travel....and we have not been apart since then, other than the odd few days....we both enjoy the same outdoor activities, so it works well for us, we do have his and hers headphones...mine are currently listening to the footie that's on TV...Judith's are on standby...

 

[MitchandJenny]

We are a lot like Teabag joined at the hip and
very happy with it. 90 days this trip in Morocco never apart . Back home Jenny swims on Tuesdays with a friend and I do what I feel like..
I’ve known her 50 years and we have been married for 15. Love it

Mitch

 

[pelican]

Just sat at the dining table having a Valentine's meal with more wine. Wife announces " There are lots of nice things I would like to do with that big bed" I looked at her bemused and she said I'm watching "Gardens World on TV"
True story.

 

[scotzsue]

We can be in our own worlds even when together.

that sums us up well. I will be reading or knitting or both John will be watching sport on tv or the news.
We do things together, cycling a bit of walking, shopping even but also may do those on our own.
We were like ships that passed in the night at first, Jon Mon-Friday, me night shifts, full time, no rota. Did a lot of communicating by note sometimes think we should still do that.
Was not easy when we both retired and were at home, despite having other things to do.
Now at home, had a nice meal, no wine I did hint but it wasn't taken up. No idea what he is watching on tv, he might not even be watching, might be reading. I am in my snug, alternately reading watching tv on here. we are all different, makes for an interesting life.

 

[Reallyretired]

We have been together for 18 years 15 of these retired so we are together a lot. I have an hour or so me time every morning taking the dog to the woods or the beach. She goes shopping on her own. Evenings she watches TV, me youtube on PC or a film on my big projection screen in my study two floors up from her.
When away we are together pretty much all the time but mainly outdoors.

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