My idea to separate has been an epic fail

[Caz49]

Thanks for the info Nicole, it's very useful.
I like to eat out but I'm just as happy when buying groceries to take back to the hotel. We are also walkers, so love to travel to places that have great walks and trails etc. We also don't mind travelling on local transport too.

That's wonderful you have a whole network of friends in Sweden, it's always nice to see familiar faces as well as new ones. I'm hoping if I start travelling alone or with my son I will make some new friends as I like to connect with people!

If you wish to travel the UK, I especially recommend the highlands of Scotland, Glencoe is one of my favourite places in the world and I've been to some lovely places. It's truly peaceful, atmospheric and genuine. If I move I'd either move there, Cumbria or Cornwall. My goal, when the children have moved on is to find my perfect cottage with a studio and meadow attached for my dogs (replace meadow with a bit of land according to how much spare cash I have!)

I understand your fear of moving with no support. Sometimes the fear of never doing something we've dreamed of is as bad. I need to get brave and listen to my own advice...

If my H won't join me in my future dreams I'm happy to dream alone. He always sidestepped, avoided or downright ignored me when I used to dream or talk about my dreams of moving. He was so obsessed with working, I felt his disdain when I would mention anything that didn't fit with his goal of staying in Germany for work and coming back here for a few stolen hours to 'catch up' with us. It literally would be as if I hadn't spoken. H was very adept at disregarding me.

You know, I'm looking forward to the holidays. My H was good during the Christmas break. He did make time for us...very generous gift wise...because he wanted that time as family time. He forgets there are many many more days in the year. And we don't just exist on summer holiday, Christmas and a few short hours on the weekend.
But we have our routines and traditions to fall back on which is comforting and I'm not unhappy with my own company if the children do spend time with H. I do wonder what he'll do or where he'll take them, but I won't be upset because I will actually look forward to some time alone. Plus my sister will be here Boxing Day.

I think it's more complicated when the children are younger. Will you be alone with your daughter or do you have plans settled for the holidays?