Just joined so I'm introducing myself.
Watch this postI will be 67 next month and retired from the many different jobs in my working life. I guess that I didn’t ever find my calling. I went to university at age 59 but when it was over it was too late to launch a new career. I wanted to lecture but students don’t want to listen to old fogies, so sadly I put aside that idea and settled into life as an eccentric dog owner.
I live in a beautiful Lancashire valley surrounded by hills that demand they be walked/climbed, how could I refuse?
I would like to do a bit of cycle touring but a recent diagnosis of spondylosis and some hip pain means that I may not be doing a world tour anytime soon!
I’m keen to make some friends as I have been on my own for a very long time now, my daughters don’t bother much with me and I don’t have a partner.I didn’t expect to be so isolated at this time in my life, isn’t it strange the way family and friends seem to forget us when we get past 60?
I will pop in regularly and hope to strike up some friendships.
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I’m so sad that you feel isolated. I’m lucky to still have my husband and good friends from work days. Hope you manage to find some friends nearby through this forum.
I wasn’t ready really to retire completely. My husband still works full time. He’s 63 and retired from RBS at 55. After 2 years they rang him and asked him to go back for a few months to help with a project. He’s still there and not ready to finish! I think if he was retired I would have settled and we could have done things together. We like to walk, travel, go to the gym, do Pilates and yoga. Keeps us flexible! No cycling though! You are lucky to be surrounded by hills. Where we are is good though for getting into Derbyshire for walking plus there are some good places to walk around Bolton. We spend a lot of time in the Lake District. I was born in West Cumbria and still have family there- so like to be in that part of the world. Do fell walking when we can. Love to stay in Grasmere or Buttermere.
I’ve got a stepson and two small grandchildren- but also an elderly widowed Mum. My Dad died just before Christmas and she’s bereft. So life is busy- with lots of high and low points at the moment. I think I will retire again when Mike decides to stop.
Hope you are all well
Welcome to Silversurfers! Plenty of friendly people on this site and lots of topics which you can join in with. Whereabouts do you live and what are your interests?
Christine
I think you must be very brave to consider going on a trip with someone whom you have never met except on the internet.
I understand the need for a travel companion as I too am sick of paying double as a single traveller.
I think you have to know someone really well to be able to enjoy a holiday together.
Best of luck with it and I would love to hear of your success.
Ian
I too am looking for a travelling companion, and in my early 70's, and fit and healthy, however I agree with Ian Blair, I think it would be risky arranging a holiday with someone you hardly know. One answer to this problem could be to try to get a group of people to travel together.
I live in the York area.
It would be good to hear how you get on with your search
Eileen
I'm 62, veryhappily married to my second husband of 11 years (I divorced the first one after 32 years), and between us we have 4 adult children, three live near us and one lives in America. They all get along happily. We have 10 grandchildren, mainly teenagers (oh God!), and they keep us young and up to speed with modern life.
We see a lot of them all....and where the teenagers are concerned, my home is often bouncing to modern music!
I'm a born and bred Cockney and happy to be so. I love everything about London, with its diversity, energy and entertainment.
We did try living in. Sussex village for a few years, but boredom drive me nuts, so we moved back to a leafy south London/NW Kent suburb, that's near to central London, but a short drive from countryside, so ideal for us.
Husband and I are both retired, as we retired early on health grounds. Our health issues are a nuisance, but we muddle along with a mixture of black humour (and some swearing.,,)
Politically, I used to get involved, but now think they are all useless so it passes me by. I do still vote though.
I don't do any religion, but if others wish to follow their various Gods, then, as long as they are peaceful, all good.
We have a wide circle of friends, young, old, both sexes, and of various backgrounds, and enjoy eating out, comedy stand up, and going to nice pubs. I like nice white wine, and I smoke (and thoroughly enjoy both!)
I do like reading.
I haven't got anything much to moan about really, am a naturally positive person, but I don't like those who just moan for the sake of it. I'm not keen on anyone judgemental or those who stereotype others. Horses for courses, I say!
I love animals, and have kept many varieties, over the years, but am now animal free, as we go away a lot for weekends etc.
I must admit to in no way being creative - I can't knit, sew, crochet, keep plants alive, or draw.....and I don't bake cakes (that's why God invented M&S food halls, in my view.....)
Anyway, nice to read about you all.
I live in Brooklin (coastal) Maine with my husband and our meagerie of dogs. What kind of dogs do you have? We just acquired a new dog - a 3-yr old English Mastiff yesterday. She is lovely.
Nice to hear from you.
Rxk
I like dogs and all animals and have eight dogs and three cats. I play the piano very occasionally and enjoy reading about reincarnation and karma.
Would love to hear from people who can help me find my retirement "niche" because basically, I'm not sure why even bother getting up every morning with nothing to do every day.
So would love to chat with anyone.
I am new to the site so would just like to introduce myself. I am 68 and was a primary school teacher in a previous life. In 2000, my partner and I went to live and work in Spain and then retired to France. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2016 so I now live alone, with my wonderful shih tsu dogs, in rural Devon. I like reading, gardening and knitting and try to keep abreast of modern technology and current events......not always too successfully!! I have six wonderful grandchildren who live in London so I do not see them as often as I would like.
I would love to hear from anyone who might be on a similar wavelength!!
Thank you for reading this!
If nothing else, it is good to know there are people on the same wave length on here.
Peter ( Everyoung)
I got into photography in the era of film... hours spent in the loft playing with trays of chemicals and very cold evenings,.so much easy in the digital age. I moved a few years ago to using software (mostly photoshop ) to not only edit my shots,but also to create from scratch what I consider to be art. In doing so I got into modernist art ( from1880s to 1970s ).
I love learning new stuff. Every time I get near to becoming an"expert" I change to learning anew subject. I suppose it is the challenge of learning that drives me rather than the satisfaction of knowing things itself.
I do a lot of charity work now can choose what I do cos nobody is paying me. I am a Trustee of Citizens Advice, having retired as Chair of Trustees last year after almost years. I am also mentor and a trainer for The Princes Trust. That is so satisfying to work with amazing young people and help them get what they deserve from life.
Why am I on here ? Well I am honestly afraid of getting isolated as I get older. Kids have grown up and both getting married within the next 12 months. I need my brain stimulating and challenging. So that is my request to all of you on here. Answer my plea and challenge and stimulate me. I am ready willing and able.
Peter