What are your hobbies and pastimes

[Marijn]

I would like to know what people's hobbies are and why they enjoy them. I would like to have hobbies or enjoyable things to do to pass the time as I feel I am too reliant on the company of friends to entertain me, as
friend's spare time doesn't always coincide with mine and I feel I should be more independent.

[mrs_overall]

Card making/scrapbooking
Research your family tree
Cycling
Knitting
Cross stitch
Quizzes/crosswords/sudoko
Exercise class
Swimming
Aquarobics

[zzxxee]

i love ghost hunting they do go busting weekends in castles old houses ect really interesting

[Marijn]

That's lovely sandmaster.
And Mrs Overall - I like the idea of cycling, thanks
Any more? :-)

[lilwhiskers]

What about art - painting, sketching and drawing. You don't have to be good to start and there are loads of books that give you ideas. I'm not very good but I find sitting down and trying to paint a watercolour very relaxing and the time flies by.

I have been to evening classes in the past and these were very helpful with the basics of painting and drawing. Also, you can take yourself off out somewhere with a sketch pad and draw. To progress it one stage further you can paint little pictures and then turn them into greetings cards to send to friends, they make a very thoughtful card, much better than the shop bought cards.

[Squitty]

I have an allotment - good for keeping fit and with fresh food benefits too. The location is peacful and a real escape. It has been a real boon with the recent weather. If its raining there is always planning ahead and planting in the greenhouse to do.

[Marijn]

Thank you all for your inspiration.
Any more ideas most welcome.

[mrs_overall]

I love cycling. After a hard day at work I head out alone on my bike if the weather is nice. There is a disused railway track near me I use often. On Sunday I went for a ride and spotted a mole, a fox, primroses, frog spawn, the gorse in bloom and lots of birds including a sparrow hawk. Brilliant!

Another suggestion is get an allotment! We grow all our own veg and it is a fantastic place to escape to if you're feeling stressed.

[mrs_overall]

Snap squitty!

[no-knowledge]

poking ABers with a sh*tty stick

[Marijn]

Sounds lovely Mrs Overall.
Thank you everybody so far.

[Marijn]

Ideas please

[terambulan]

my solitary moments are with guitar - practising.

[Marijn]

That sounds good too. maybe I'll try learning to play the drums.

[pinktwink]

i like reading crossword/mind games, writing poetry, swimming etc

have you thought of learning a language, doing a course, writing, dressmaking, embroidery, tapestry, interior design, cookery

[Dollychris]

We have 2 gorgeous dogs that we show. We meet a lot of really nice people and it gets us out in the fresh air. We also keep realatively fit with all the dog walking and meet lots of people - dogs are a great conversation opener. You sound as if you have lots of friends anyway but also I read a lot, knit (self taught when I was having my first baby) and lovetaking advantage of cheap hotel deals with my husband. Loads to do but not enough hours in a day.............. Hope you find something interesting and keep trying different hobbies until something clicks.

[Marijn]

Some more good ideas, thank you.
If I could find a gym nearer to home I'll probably join that instead as I'd be more likely to go.

[mrs.chappie]

I enjoy cardmaking and I use the computer for some of them. I also like crochet.

My hubby likes painting.

[christine847]

Love gardening in the summer,photography and crosswords

[Marijn]

I enjoy crosswords.
Card making sounds nice.

[Nummy]

looking into your family tree could be a good hobby to do by yourself.

are you good with your hands? cake decorating could be an option...or card making or jewellery making. it all depends what you like, dislike or are willing to give a go.

if you are looking to maybe go travelling on your own, building up confidence to go out by yourself will be invaluable. so maybe going to the cinema could be good for you. i go to the cinema by myself though I tend to go mid-week, as you get lots of couples and groups at the weekend. or see if there's an independent cinema near you, which is much less likely to get big groups of people in.

swimming or cycling are good solitary activities if you prefer to get out the house.

there are thousands of hobbies out there...what kid of thing do you like?