ONE IN A BED DOESN'T ADD UP

STEPH WILSON

That's the reality out in Travel Land. If you as a Singleton decide to go somewhere on your own, you will certainly have noticed some "froideur" and delineation between the price for the space you would like to occupy, and the charge for you plus one!

As a Singleton I gradually became aware that splendid hotels close to creamy stretches of unspoilt beaches were designed exclusively for "dream couples” or latterly, for partners.

Those who go on business put the extra for that privilege on their expense account, but singles taking a holiday, have had to pay an enforced "tax" for being alone. Whether the room was purpose-built for one or two.

I started out thinking that it was my imagination.. Not at all!

So what happened. ...

I spent a lot of time at home, which was perfectly nice, and gave in .... I stayed put - anything to avoid that more expensive, tacked on feeling of the ever-so tiny single room. Finally I joined an old friend. We booked single rooms for one ghastly night .We found ourselves not AT Heathrow, but IN it.

My room was really a ‘Cupboard-Combi’ of ‘Bed n’ Basin’!

I tell you getting in - or out - of the thing required long term planning and the agility of a cat burglar!

I wasn't about to retrain as an acrobat, so despite scrapes and bruises I managed.

We laughed about it afterwards, but it seared my soul; holidays no longer held that spontaneity.

The more I looked at brochures the more I dreamt of going away - and didn't . I resisted all temptation, even stopped scouring the Sunday papers for weeks.

Had I given up?

No. The reality of going on my own and staying in an unwelcome environment loomed each time, until I saw three lines at the bottom of a page about Suzy Cooper..

That sounds like advertising. It isn't.

Here is woman who knows what she wants. She had had enough of this Excise-the- Single-Market-Lark, and after a lot of researching had started her own business for singles on the Internet. Singular Travel is aimed specifically at those who want to take time out from partners, or singles who might want to join groups, or others who merely prefer go off on their own.

After a week or two I dug out the scrap of paper and logged on to Singular Travel.

I found it friendly, unthreatening, useful questions asked - and for a purpose. Did I want peace and quiet, night-life, the arts, serious walking?

Would that be in England or abroad?

Where would I choose to go; on my own, with a group or a partner ?

I sent off a sort of profile, received a spontaneous, enthusiastic reply from S. Cooper Manager, filled in some extra thoughts and ideas and asked if she would like to share her ideas with us at Panderjam.

Suzy Cooper is no amateur. She literally knows the Travel World inside out. She spent 8 years working as a Stewardess in BOAC, and loved it.

"The crews used to get a great deal more free time in those days, and whenever we landed I enjoyed taking in the culture, and looking round old buildings, or churches and art galleries. It was marvelous; what a way to discover all those wonderful things. After I married I used that experience and joined the Travel Department of the London Chamber of Commerce, then pursued studies in The History of Art, up to Masters level."

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