What are you all up to
Comments
-
Early v Late Retirement
I think the people that carry on working beyond retirement age tend to be doing jobs that have not really changed over the years. When you are of late working age it is usually change that creates the atmosphere of uncertainty. When younger and still progressing in a career it is easier to accept that challenge. In my early fifties I was parachuted into a job that I found a bit alien to what I had been used to and admit to struggling at first. Fortunately we started new computer system which really changed the way we did things and I was one of the lead implementers. However there was often talk of changing the structure of administration amalgamating departments which finally made me serious think about retiring at the age of 58. I didn't suffer too much pension wise and my company provided a temporary extra pension until the State Pension kicked in. After that I did undertake a part time administrative job where I was virtually a free agent which was mainly quite enjoyable!!!
Interestingly not so long after I retired the whole level of management that I was part of disappeared and a lot of younger colleagues had to start new careers.
David
0 -
That may well happen in the future, will depend on the parents!
He goes to Nursery every morning as both parents work full time, and that costs a fair bit, so we said we would do afternoons to keep the cost down for them, then the other grandparents said they would help out too, they are also now retired, so we have a rota.
DD is hoping to be allowed "flexible working" doing the same hours in 4.5 days, so is meantime using holidays to try it out by taking a half day every Friday, so we grandparents do 2 days each and can negotiate to swap days to take whole weeks off, it seems to be working fine.
DD and grandson are coming to join us in the van for a few days on our next trip, the length of stay will apparently depend on whether he keeps us and the rest of the site awake!! He is not a good sleeper unfortunately.
1 -
We've moved sites again today, arrived just before the lunchtime shutdown
site almost empty when we arrived, starting to fill up now though. We are at a site we found last September and liked but wanted to see it in the Spring time when all the rivers and waterfalls are full of water. They certainly are now. Weather sun and clouds but nice and warm, due to get better each day until the beginning of next week.
We took a drive yesterday afternoon to see a waterfall that looked good, boy that ended up a right roundabout trip we did. Found the waterfall fine then carried on over the Coll, got almost to the town we were to turn off back towards the campsite to find a diversion in place, 40 kilometres later we finally got to the other side of the town
lovely drive round another Coll with stunning views and more waterfalls. What started out as an easy drive ended up being over 3 hours 
no complaints from me and OH loves 'driving' We both retired early, I took a package from my employment and OH always knew he would have to go at 60, so it worked out great for us, I got 4 months to myself and then he retired, within days we were on a ferry to Europe, never stopped coming since, most years twice. We always say best job we've ever had
Triky, hope you manage to get fixed and away to Germany.
WN, good of you to give OH the day off
1 -
WN, good of you to give OH the day off
I didn't.
We did however compromise. Shopping in the morning (unfortunately we have to eat) then lunch followed a short(ish) walk to take a photo of a place she wants to paint when we get home, so Win-Win.I didn't have any choice in retiring. "You've got between 3-4 years before you keel over" tends to concentrate the mind so we decided to enjoy ourselves and hang the expense etc😀.
19 years later I'm thinking of suing the buggers. All that money I was earning gone to waste.
Hence our desire, and I stress our, to get out and enjoy every single day. Sometimes life becomes so much easier when you just get your priorities in the right place.
2 -
No need to cancel Wherenext, I think you will like it. There isn't alot of room between pitches, but the views towards Settle and the hills beyond are nice. I recommend trying the "Mainline Bitter" it's brewed in Settle. Hope you enjoy your time there.
1 -
Helen......have you considered retiring very soon? No idea how close to being able to retire you are, but I can advise that you grab it when you can!
KjellNN unfortunately I have at least 10 years to go
OH finished work at the end of March, although he he says he is only on a "career break" My job is only part time and pretty flexible so it's not all bad. 0 -
OH hadn't been in paid employment since prior to our daughter being born, and she'll be 50 this year. What I can't say is that she's not worked for the that length of time, or I'd be in deep trouble, again! I took VR over 18yrs ago, with the loss of a fair bit of my pension, but we've never regretted it. We manage well enough, and have spent over 250 nights away each year touring in our van. My aim is to be doing the same for as long as I was in work!!
1 -
A much better day weather wise, with no rain, some sunny periods but still a cool wind. Washing was delayed this morning as the site was having it's EHU's 3 yearly certification, so it was late start for us. We did manage a couple of walks, one as we headed to Spey Bay, and the other along the Spey way. Unfortunately we didn't see any Dolphins or Ospreys today, but saw lots of Goosanders, including a family group feeding together, Common Ferns, Eider Ducks and a,beautiful male Bullfinch. We ended the trip out restocking at Tesco and Lidl in Buckie.
3 -
Glad you've had better weather NTH, you've certainly had a rough time of it this year, hope it stays fine for the rest of your trip.
Ascension day here, so its a holiday. Being as its France they've all decided to break up for the weekend
site is just about full tonight. Lots of cyclist's in tents, we've got 6 on the pitch next to us and 4 on the next to that. Lots of motorbikers in the cabins, the weather is just perfect for it. Sunny and warm but with a nice cooling breeze off the mountains. The alpes in the distance still have snow on the tops, all looking very picturesque.Managed a few jobs this morning, washing, cleaning the van inside and giving the car a bit of a tidy out. This afternoon we went for a bike ride, all on very good cycle paths. Tomorrow we'll take the car out and drive into the mountains to find these waterfalls, the rivers are full of green glacial water so the falls should be good.
1 -
Nice to hear Tammy. Be interested to hear of decent sites in that area as you may recall we have a mind to head that way in September, weather depending. Heard there might be some walking around there.
Raining when we got up so donned full waterproof gear and walked into Keswick as Mrs WN decided she did in fact want of a couple of those Intense Ink Pads she didn't want a few days ago. Never mind, we had to do something with the day. Called in to Rohan for some essentials then caught the bus that passes the campsite back as the heavy rain arrived.
Off tomorrow. Really enjoyed our walking trip (don't know if anyone noticed). Hadrians Wall next.
1 -
Currently at Acsi 2244, lovely views over the lake with the mountains in the background. Cycle routes out from the site gates. Lots of Colls and waterfalls, walking is not something I can do much of especially uphill but I believe there are plenty of places you can do it from here. It was much quieter here last September.
Depending on weather might do a couple of days at Annecy when we leave here, then find somewhere quiet for the next weekend as its a long holiday weekend.
1 -
Vindolanda is my favourite HW museum. There are hundreds of shoe and sandal finds all displayed, a veritable Roman shoe shop! We popped into the new Visitor Centre called the Sill lastime we were up there, worth a visit and car parking is cheaper than up at Steel Rigg. Very nice shop inside, lots of displays. Have a lovely time WN.
Busy day getting things sorted for Wales.
1 -
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time Tammy. The French campsites are something to see on a bank holiday weekend aren't they!
Sorry that you are having such bad weather Nellie. You don't seem to have had many good days weather-wise. I hope it improves for you soon.
I bought my first pair of Sketchers shoes yesterday. They have opened a shop in Peterborough so I just went in to have a browse but I ended up buying a pair (as you do!) Gosh they are so comfortable. I got given a loyalty card. After I have bought 5 pairs I can get 50% off the 6th pair. As lovely as they are I can't see me needing 6 pairs!
Enjoy the Lakes Freddie. Such a lovely part of the world.
1 -
I typed too soon. Yesterday it rained with a vengeance. Pitch had its own pool! First blue sky for four days today and we can actually see the Alps now the weather has cleared. Visited the Zeppelin museum today. Hard to get ones head round the size of the thing. Makes an A380 look like a dinky toy. Off to the Dornier museum tomorrow. An aerial theme is developing. Have to keep my eyes open for a bit of "Triky spotting" over the coming days as we move on.
0 -
If you're up in the South Lakes this weekend, why not pop along here -
0 -
"What are you all up to today" ?
Trying to understand where 39 years went
3 -
We got up early and went to the Bath &West Show, excellent as usual. Had to get back for a dental appointment but glad we had a few hours out.
1 -
Thank you
0 -
Congratulations. I'm sure you both look the same. Mine was 35 years ago last Sunday, so you say a blink of an eye.
0 -
How did you know, neither of us have put on pound and can still fit in to the same clothes
Thank you
0 -
Is that the Retired Greyhound Trust, Brue?
Beautiful dogs.
0 -
Yes I think it was TW, a popular attraction too. Strangely enough we stepped out of the back of the cheese area and into a dog area which contained groups of dog breeds under threat, however the dogs in there were also totally "unthreatening" and there was a lot of patting and chatting going on. Skye Terriers, Pembroke Corgis, Manchester Terriers, Welsh Springers, Bearded Collies...I could go on and then just outside were the Greyhounds so it was a great area for dog lovers!
To be honest I was in animal heaven for most of the visit until OH spotted the plant marquee and let the moths out of his wallet...
1 -
Thank you.
I didn't exactly say how much of me still fits in that suit though
0 -
Congrats Milo. Hope you spent it in a better way than we did earlier this year. Ruby wedding and Mrs WN accompanies MiL to hospital as she has a brain scan.
My tongue still has the scar from the bite administered after MiL declared that they couldn't find anything!
0 -
Brue, sounds like a lovely time well spent. Mrs WN wants to adopt that Sheep.
Took us over an hour to move 6 miles this morning just after leaving Keswick due to roadworks.
Got to our Hexham site after 2 and pitched up.Place is packed. Anyone know of a quiet CL nearby? Off tomorrow to do some Hadrians Wall walking.Enjoy your weekend folks.
Hope the weather in the Lakes improves for you Freddy.
0
