Residence Documentation : Schengen Visas!

Is there any country within the Schengen states that will allow me entry WITHOUT my Spouse being with me if I go on a short holiday to Europe?
Do I HAVE to have his passport to apply for a Schengen Visa or can I take his original Portuguese ID Card. Im a South African citizen..been living and working in the UK since Jan 07 with our daughter (6 yrs old), but he deserted us for life on ships. I can't travel to Europe cos I can't get his passport (he doesnt have one - only ID card). I know there was a law passed saying EU citizens spouses can travel freely in the Schengen states - but the catch is that you have to be with your spouse. I did go to Italy once for a weekend without him and they let me in!

You have to be joining or accompanying your EEA spouse for you to be allowed to enter a member state with your RC only.

You say that your husband "deserted you and your daughter for life on ships"; are you both divorced, separated or what?

There may be a few member states that allow that. But you would have to go through their web pages or better read their implementations of the Directive. Some of those laws do indeed not mention the "joining or acompanying" bit but I do not know what that could possibly mean in your situation. Your experience with Italy may just have been luck. Did they actually ask you about your spouse?

Will you not be facing problems when re-entering the UK?

Will UKBA not want to make sure you are joining husband in the UK?