I've done a number of long solo trips over the decades since Mrs B-O-B and I married but I'd be loath to give you general advice as it 'all depends'. I've picked and chosen my times based on our circumstances and twice cancelled long planned trips at the last moment (once on the morning of departure) when things changed. What I've never done is announce over breakfast I'm off somewhere in a week or two and can you look after the toddlers, pay the mortgage and, oh, sorry about your mother's terminal care needs. I should be back in six months or so. You have to turn it round and think how would you feel if she announced she's off to a spiritual retreat in the Hebrides for three months and dumped everything on you.

The reason I've been able to do it is that we have a similar outlook on things. Not identical but similar. So when I say I'm planning a trip to West Africa I know it'll be solo trip as she doesn't have any interest in going there. But I know she'll understand why I want to do it so if we can work through the practical difficulties it'll cause it won't be embargoed on principal. For other destinations she'll be as enthusiastic as me - we've done several long bike trips in the US together, toured China and should have been in Japan next month were it not for Covid.

Solo travel can be psychologically difficult and not everybody is suited to it. Only you will know whether it's something you can take in your stride or whether you'll find it too difficult a few weeks in. It is easier if you have someone to bounce your worries off of. For me though it has most definately been worth it. I've got a short (2-3 week) solo Eurotrip in the pipeline for next month - CV-19 permitting - and I should have been finishing off a 4 week solo trip (all of August) at the moment. That was Covid cancelled and rescheduled for next year but it may then become the two of us going as she's getting more and more interested in my idea.