Enjoying Retirement
Discussion
We were snowed in until I got the tractor out and dug us out on Saturday so that Mrs S could go to a Christmas market thing about an hour away.
Then is rained like hell on Sunday night and we woke on Monday morning to no snow to speak of and a swing in temperature of about 10 degrees, it seems a bit crazy to me.
Yesterday we went out to a favourite breakfast haunt and I decided against the large breakfast and went for the small…..
Today I have been out trimming some of the trees along the drive as the snow has bent some of the branches a little lower and they needed tidying up. Temperature wise it is currently -3c but a lovely crisp day for being outside.
This afternoon will mostly consist of finding a Christmas jumper for our trip south to see family.
Then is rained like hell on Sunday night and we woke on Monday morning to no snow to speak of and a swing in temperature of about 10 degrees, it seems a bit crazy to me.
Yesterday we went out to a favourite breakfast haunt and I decided against the large breakfast and went for the small…..
Today I have been out trimming some of the trees along the drive as the snow has bent some of the branches a little lower and they needed tidying up. Temperature wise it is currently -3c but a lovely crisp day for being outside.
This afternoon will mostly consist of finding a Christmas jumper for our trip south to see family.
We've been going for longer holidays. Had 4 weeks in Crete in September / October and 6 weeks in Spain from end of May until early July.
Crete was a 3 centre break, South West, South Centre and then East. Main focus was relaxing in the sun, of which there was plenty. It didn't rain once while we were there.
Spain was a circumnavigation of the Iberian Peninsula by car. Main focus was exploring. 10 different hotels and 3 AirBnb. The AirBnb were 5 days each and gave us a break from being in cities and eating out all the time.
We've got one more holiday planned, starting mid-feb next year - Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley etc, back to Vegas, New Orleans for Mardi Gras, then Miami and finishing with a week in the Bahamas (31 days in total). After that we're switching gears and focusing 100% on moving house. We want to be able to drop everything and go and view immediately any potential house that comes to our attention. We might squeeze in an "unplanned" holiday or two once we've got the sale / purchase tee'd up (in theory).
Not having time constraints for holidays is brilliant. The only real challenge is avoiding school holidays. With 6 weeks, you're going to stray into UK school holidays, and even at the beginning of October in Crete it became very clear that a large number of schools in Germany have holidays at that time.
Both recent holidays and the pending one were planned and booked many months in advance for a variety of reasons: cabin availability on long ferry crossings, villa availability, booking flights on airmiles and hotel availability during Mardi Gras being some of them. I do want to get out of this mode, and I think future Spanish driving holidays will involve Portsmouth -> St. Malo followed by a 7 hour drive, rather than Plymouth -> Santander and a 2 hour drive.
Crete was a 3 centre break, South West, South Centre and then East. Main focus was relaxing in the sun, of which there was plenty. It didn't rain once while we were there.
Spain was a circumnavigation of the Iberian Peninsula by car. Main focus was exploring. 10 different hotels and 3 AirBnb. The AirBnb were 5 days each and gave us a break from being in cities and eating out all the time.
We've got one more holiday planned, starting mid-feb next year - Las Vegas, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley etc, back to Vegas, New Orleans for Mardi Gras, then Miami and finishing with a week in the Bahamas (31 days in total). After that we're switching gears and focusing 100% on moving house. We want to be able to drop everything and go and view immediately any potential house that comes to our attention. We might squeeze in an "unplanned" holiday or two once we've got the sale / purchase tee'd up (in theory).
Not having time constraints for holidays is brilliant. The only real challenge is avoiding school holidays. With 6 weeks, you're going to stray into UK school holidays, and even at the beginning of October in Crete it became very clear that a large number of schools in Germany have holidays at that time.
Both recent holidays and the pending one were planned and booked many months in advance for a variety of reasons: cabin availability on long ferry crossings, villa availability, booking flights on airmiles and hotel availability during Mardi Gras being some of them. I do want to get out of this mode, and I think future Spanish driving holidays will involve Portsmouth -> St. Malo followed by a 7 hour drive, rather than Plymouth -> Santander and a 2 hour drive.
skeeterm5 said:
We were snowed in until I got the tractor out and dug us out on Saturday so that Mrs S could go to a Christmas market thing about an hour away.
Then is rained like hell on Sunday night and we woke on Monday morning to no snow to speak of and a swing in temperature of about 10 degrees, it seems a bit crazy to me.
Yesterday we went out to a favourite breakfast haunt and I decided against the large breakfast and went for the small…..
Today I have been out trimming some of the trees along the drive as the snow has bent some of the branches a little lower and they needed tidying up. Temperature wise it is currently -3c but a lovely crisp day for being outside.
This afternoon will mostly consist of finding a Christmas jumper for our trip south to see family.
I’ll up your breakfast Then is rained like hell on Sunday night and we woke on Monday morning to no snow to speak of and a swing in temperature of about 10 degrees, it seems a bit crazy to me.
Yesterday we went out to a favourite breakfast haunt and I decided against the large breakfast and went for the small…..
Today I have been out trimming some of the trees along the drive as the snow has bent some of the branches a little lower and they needed tidying up. Temperature wise it is currently -3c but a lovely crisp day for being outside.
This afternoon will mostly consist of finding a Christmas jumper for our trip south to see family.
This was from a few days ago to celebrate 29 years since we first met.We have been retired for 20-years next April.
We have a winter home in Southern Spain and so we are able to make the most of everyday. Yesterday, I had an early cycle ride along the sea front for a coffee. On my return, I discovered that my laptop decided to disconnect from WiFi, that needed me to summon-up a lot of dead brain cells to fix it. In the 90s fixing things in Windows was second nature, but I now mainly use my iPad for simple surfing and emails.
Lunchtime was a fish restaurant in the harbour with our Belgium neighbours. He has just bought an AUDI SQ7 with a thumping 506bhp and so was desperate for us to have a look at it. We used to live in France so taking 3-hours over lunch to eat Octopus and Mackerel salads followed by Razor Clams, Monkfish and Cuttlefish was easy with a couple of bottles of descent wines and good conversation. Followed by another coffee in the sun, at another bar.
Afterwards, I had to get my mate’s printer working and signed up to HP InstantInk and have the stuff delivered to Spain - not as simple as you might expect, so lots of calls to HP UK and Spain.
I am a director for the Man Co for our apartment in the UK and so next was going through our budget for next year - looking for a 20% increase, Ouch! So a few calls and emails to fellow directors.
We started to watch the second episode of Cross, but I was falling asleep.
Next week we will return to UK just to remember what living in the cold, wind and rain is really like. But it is still good to catch up with old friends and former work colleagues as well as taking a short trip to London. After Christmas we will be well and truly ready to return here again on 3rd January to see us through to the end of March.
Eat, sleep, repeat - makes for a pretty good retirement.
We have a winter home in Southern Spain and so we are able to make the most of everyday. Yesterday, I had an early cycle ride along the sea front for a coffee. On my return, I discovered that my laptop decided to disconnect from WiFi, that needed me to summon-up a lot of dead brain cells to fix it. In the 90s fixing things in Windows was second nature, but I now mainly use my iPad for simple surfing and emails.
Lunchtime was a fish restaurant in the harbour with our Belgium neighbours. He has just bought an AUDI SQ7 with a thumping 506bhp and so was desperate for us to have a look at it. We used to live in France so taking 3-hours over lunch to eat Octopus and Mackerel salads followed by Razor Clams, Monkfish and Cuttlefish was easy with a couple of bottles of descent wines and good conversation. Followed by another coffee in the sun, at another bar.
Afterwards, I had to get my mate’s printer working and signed up to HP InstantInk and have the stuff delivered to Spain - not as simple as you might expect, so lots of calls to HP UK and Spain.
I am a director for the Man Co for our apartment in the UK and so next was going through our budget for next year - looking for a 20% increase, Ouch! So a few calls and emails to fellow directors.
We started to watch the second episode of Cross, but I was falling asleep.
Next week we will return to UK just to remember what living in the cold, wind and rain is really like. But it is still good to catch up with old friends and former work colleagues as well as taking a short trip to London. After Christmas we will be well and truly ready to return here again on 3rd January to see us through to the end of March.
Eat, sleep, repeat - makes for a pretty good retirement.
Director for a management company doesn’t sound like a retirement to me, but it clearly works for you!
Heading on from a mid-week break at The Manor Hotel Okehampton with 5 pals.
Our first trip, what a fun place!
Rifle- and pistol- shooting, archery, “ice” curling, padel & pickleball, hot spa, kubb, crafting (I only did a bit of pyrography, others did more).
Several frames of snooker, table tennis, a Christmas dinner and far too much food & drink. Tai chi, & others did Pilates and hula hooping.
Highly recommended!
We did note how we appeared to be amongst the youngest there this week: I guess out of season and cheaper rates make it ideal for retired folk.
Meeting up with a relative tonight, then on to the IOW for 10 days of proper relaxation: we are exhausted, need a break
Heading on from a mid-week break at The Manor Hotel Okehampton with 5 pals.
Our first trip, what a fun place!
Rifle- and pistol- shooting, archery, “ice” curling, padel & pickleball, hot spa, kubb, crafting (I only did a bit of pyrography, others did more).
Several frames of snooker, table tennis, a Christmas dinner and far too much food & drink. Tai chi, & others did Pilates and hula hooping.
Highly recommended!
We did note how we appeared to be amongst the youngest there this week: I guess out of season and cheaper rates make it ideal for retired folk.
Meeting up with a relative tonight, then on to the IOW for 10 days of proper relaxation: we are exhausted, need a break
Phil. said:
You’ll be needing to keep a check on your 90/180 days calculation at that rate
There are a few resources on the internet to help manage that problem. We have managed 178 days in the last year, since I retired. Make sure your house insurance and travel insurance allows you to be away for more than 30 days.
Edited by SMar on Thursday 28th November 18:09
SMar said:
Phil. said:
You’ll be needing to keep a check on your 90/180 days calculation at that rate
There are a few resources on the internet to help manage that problem. We have managed 178 days in the last year, since I retired. Make sure your house insurance and travel insurance allows you to be away for more than 30 days.
Edited by SMar on Thursday 28th November 18:09
Agree, to ensure house insurance covers longer periods away from home.
mikeiow said:
Director for a management company doesn’t sound like a retirement to me, but it clearly works for you!
:
We moved apartment in May and the finances have been left in a mess. There is an appointed management co to do the heavy lifting so the 3-directors, in theory, just set objectives and monitor performance.:
The Man Co were appointed because they are cheap - pay peanuts employ monkeys etc. So its a bit harder than it should be, but nothing remotely arduous. Just more than I expected.
rdjohn said:
We have been retired for 20-years next April.
We have a winter home in Southern Spain and so we are able to make the most of everyday. Yesterday, I had an early cycle ride along the sea front for a coffee. On my return, I discovered that my laptop decided to disconnect from WiFi, that needed me to summon-up a lot of dead brain cells to fix it. In the 90s fixing things in Windows was second nature, but I now mainly use my iPad for simple surfing and emails.
Lunchtime was a fish restaurant in the harbour with our Belgium neighbours. He has just bought an AUDI SQ7 with a thumping 506bhp and so was desperate for us to have a look at it. We used to live in France so taking 3-hours over lunch to eat Octopus and Mackerel salads followed by Razor Clams, Monkfish and Cuttlefish was easy with a couple of bottles of descent wines and good conversation. Followed by another coffee in the sun, at another bar.
Afterwards, I had to get my mate’s printer working and signed up to HP InstantInk and have the stuff delivered to Spain - not as simple as you might expect, so lots of calls to HP UK and Spain.
I am a director for the Man Co for our apartment in the UK and so next was going through our budget for next year - looking for a 20% increase, Ouch! So a few calls and emails to fellow directors.
We started to watch the second episode of Cross, but I was falling asleep.
Next week we will return to UK just to remember what living in the cold, wind and rain is really like. But it is still good to catch up with old friends and former work colleagues as well as taking a short trip to London. After Christmas we will be well and truly ready to return here again on 3rd January to see us through to the end of March.
Eat, sleep, repeat - makes for a pretty good retirement.
Looks like you’re having a great time Rodger! Glad it all worked out for you.We have a winter home in Southern Spain and so we are able to make the most of everyday. Yesterday, I had an early cycle ride along the sea front for a coffee. On my return, I discovered that my laptop decided to disconnect from WiFi, that needed me to summon-up a lot of dead brain cells to fix it. In the 90s fixing things in Windows was second nature, but I now mainly use my iPad for simple surfing and emails.
Lunchtime was a fish restaurant in the harbour with our Belgium neighbours. He has just bought an AUDI SQ7 with a thumping 506bhp and so was desperate for us to have a look at it. We used to live in France so taking 3-hours over lunch to eat Octopus and Mackerel salads followed by Razor Clams, Monkfish and Cuttlefish was easy with a couple of bottles of descent wines and good conversation. Followed by another coffee in the sun, at another bar.
Afterwards, I had to get my mate’s printer working and signed up to HP InstantInk and have the stuff delivered to Spain - not as simple as you might expect, so lots of calls to HP UK and Spain.
I am a director for the Man Co for our apartment in the UK and so next was going through our budget for next year - looking for a 20% increase, Ouch! So a few calls and emails to fellow directors.
We started to watch the second episode of Cross, but I was falling asleep.
Next week we will return to UK just to remember what living in the cold, wind and rain is really like. But it is still good to catch up with old friends and former work colleagues as well as taking a short trip to London. After Christmas we will be well and truly ready to return here again on 3rd January to see us through to the end of March.
Eat, sleep, repeat - makes for a pretty good retirement.
Mr Magooagain said:
Looks like you’re having a great time Rodger! Glad it all worked out for you.
I hope that you are also settling into a nice steady groove. Going to France for the first 17-years was the perfect step from working flat-chat, full time to being busy doing nothing, in particular.
worldwidewebs said:
Logged off for the last time this morning - laptop is boxed up and now waiting for DHL to collect.
45 mins into retirement. Finally...
Congratulations. 45 mins into retirement. Finally...
Nice bright day here, just off for my Friday coffee meet up with the guys. Got a busy weekend as the first of three gigs starts tomorrow night...slightly nervous with this one as I'm singing as well as guitar since we lost our singer. Should be fine once we get the first song started.
rdjohn said:
Mr Magooagain said:
Looks like you’re having a great time Rodger! Glad it all worked out for you.
I hope that you are also settling into a nice steady groove. Going to France for the first 17-years was the perfect step from working flat-chat, full time to being busy doing nothing, in particular.
Uk pensions have started so it’s easy enough.
I’ve sold the track Fiat last September as I was slowly not using it. I had interest in it from Scotland and a deal was done over emails!
I delivered it back into the Uk to a haulier to take it the rest of the way.
I’ve bought some woodland and another nice piece of land close to my barn so there’s plenty of up keep etc.
Plan is to sell it all once Mrs Magoo retires and resume our travels.
We took a few days last week to warm up (and miss Storm Bert). Google flights show destinations and prices, so ended up in Rabat, Morocco.
Nice town, some ancient bits to look at, and good accommodation in a house in the old town, proper locals place. 29C too - so able to warm up for a while… if like me, 25C is about the minimum acceptable temperature, unless skiing.
It’s the beauty of being retired - able to go for a few days away without having to plan like D-Day. Left the dog at home with youngest, who can drive and school had “inset” days, meaning no teaching. Job jobbed!
Busy weekend coming up - planting nearly 100 standard roses along our church path, so I’ll need another break after that
Nice town, some ancient bits to look at, and good accommodation in a house in the old town, proper locals place. 29C too - so able to warm up for a while… if like me, 25C is about the minimum acceptable temperature, unless skiing.
It’s the beauty of being retired - able to go for a few days away without having to plan like D-Day. Left the dog at home with youngest, who can drive and school had “inset” days, meaning no teaching. Job jobbed!
Busy weekend coming up - planting nearly 100 standard roses along our church path, so I’ll need another break after that
worldwidewebs said:
Logged off for the last time this morning - laptop is boxed up and now waiting for DHL to collect.
45 mins into retirement. Finally...
Similar to my last day. It was during covid so the whole team were WFH. It felt strange to end my working life by sticking my laptop in a box and giving it to a courier. 45 mins into retirement. Finally...
No leaving beers, no fanfare, no goodbyes to colleagues.
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