Technically ‘we are’ not going. I am. But Cliff Richard didn’t write a song about going on holiday on your own.

I’m going on holiday. Although my holiday plan is going to plan in theory, the desired effect isn’t exactly kicking in. I’m not feeling fabulous after exercising. Meditation isn’t having its usual cheering effect. I’m still at home. I’m unable to chill out because of all the things that need doing around the flat. In short I’m trying to be positive and happy, but a fortnight of holiday without a holiday is just a very very long weekend at home.

So I’m going on a mini-break by myself. I will be spending two nights in York at the beginning of next week. I still don’t have the money back from the cancelled holiday that was due to be happening this week, but I figure it will all break even in the end. If I don’t get out of my flat for a couple of days I will probably end up returning to work feeling sorry for myself and I refuse to do that.

It’s not been easy deciding where to go. Did I want to hide away and write? Did I want to work out in the gym and chill by a pool and in a spa? Did I want to spend a couple of days enjoying and entertaining myself? I have spent a good few hours surfing the net and weighing up all the millions of options. I just wanted a website to say “Here is the holiday just for you, enjoy!”

In the end I decided on York. It’s a lovely city, which I remember enjoying as both a child and a teenager. I’m sure I will find more than enough to keep me entertained for just over 48 hours.

On top of all that trying to book a holiday for one is depressing. Once I am in York I will happily entertain myself. However the process of navigating single supplements and offers that apologise for my singleness  (“we’re sorry but that offer is only available for two or more travelers”) nearly made me give up on the whole thing.

My camera and I are going to visit all the exciting visitor attractions. I’m thinking my first night has to be the Ghost Tour, it’s almost a decade since I last went to York for our sixth form induction and I remember that being really good fun.

Day Two I have a York Pass so I can just amble around doing things like the Dungeons, York Minster and apparently there’s a Brewery Tour so that is a must. Then in the evening I will take myself out on a lovely date to a nice restaurant, eat nice food and indulge in a cocktail or two.

Before I leave on Day Three I will have to go and visit the National Railway Museum and see if my train namesake ‘Helen’ still exists and if it does ask a kind stranger to take a photo of me with it once again! (This time there will be no gold headband or shell suit unfortunately, it was a good look for me!)