I may be sponsoring Torquay United

I once agreed to sponsor Dee's netball team but it was on condition that they'd have, 'you're goin' home in a f*cking ambulance' on the back of their tops ... suffice to say, it never came to pass, which I think is a real shame

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 8:55 pm

I may be sponsoring Torquay United

I once agreed to sponsor Dee's netball team but it was on condition that they'd have, 'you're goin' home in a f*cking ambulance' on the back of their tops ... suffice to say, it never came to pass, which I think is a real shame

I’ll make it happen

Cheery Saturday for me, a large amount of wet snow fell this morning which is now turning to slush ahead of tomorrows heat wave but rather than mope about (or get very wet on the bike) I set too for hopefully that last time on the suzooks lump. This has been a saga, largely down to my own incompetence, which I will refrain from boring you all about. Anyway, I think I've got it sorted now, although I said that the last time I tried it....

Looking like a shorts and t shirt bike ride tomorrow

Had a good Thursday and Friday

Thursday, blue sky in the clwydians, minus 5 according to the car and a nice solitude walk

Friday up Siabod, quite a few people out. Swirling snow, bit of a slog up the hill and zero views from the summit but some stunning scenes on the ascent

This raised a chuckle - perhaps Stu should check to see if any of his neighbours have a bounty on their head?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy151yk5dzo

Bearlegged wrote: ↑Thu Nov 28, 2024 3:25 pm This raised a chuckle - perhaps Stu should check to see if any of his neighbours have a bounty on their head?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy151yk5dzo

More evidence that it's perfectly reasonable to lie in a bivvy bag somewhere in the middle of nowhere, petrified that there may be some murderer wandering about in the vicinity...

Cheery Friday for me.

On my way to my bestie in Lincoln for a weekend of watching seal pups and parents doing wonderful seal things like, ermm, not a lot with the occasional flopping over; raclette, afternoon tea, and about a thousand cups of tea in between. And a few beers no doubt. Oh and cake. Of course.

And cheery because young Miss Z has after many years of working here and there managed to bag herself what definitely counts as a proper job. Good one too, with Transport for Wales, which comes with free train travel throughout Wales, and reduced elsewhere, lucky thing.

And it's only one more week to SWWB!!!!!

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Sun Nov 24, 2024 2:44 pm Had a good Thursday and Friday

Thursday, blue sky in the clwydians, minus 5 according to the car and a nice solitude walk

Friday up Siabod, quite a few people out. Swirling snow, bit of a slog up the hill and zero views from the summit but some stunning scenes on the ascent

Wow, that looks proper wintery!

Verena wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 11:10 am
And cheery because young Miss Z has after many years of working here and there managed to bag herself what definitely counts as a proper job. Good one too, with Transport for Wales, which comes with free train travel throughout Wales, and reduced elsewhere, lucky thing.

Good work! Can she put in a word for me pls? I could do train cleaning or something

And it's only one more week to SWWB!!!!!

Yep, get the snow booked...

Cheery Friday here as the dog's anal glands have been sorted out for a while Too much?

For those looking for a change of career, you'd be in line for getting £20 for 5mins work. Assuming you're a pro, that is.

Today marks the day 6 months ago, that the wife and I took early retirement.

It's been a fantastic 6 months and it's so much better than I thought it would be.

If you have hobbies, like being outside, enjoy travelling, have DIY projects and most importantly you are in a financial position to take early retirement, seriously consider the options and if you can afford to retire early do it.

JohnClimber wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:14 pm Today marks the day 6 months ago, that the wife and I took early retirement.

It's been a fantastic 6 months and it's so much better than I thought it would be.

If you have hobbies, like being outside, enjoy travelling, have DIY projects and most importantly you are in a financial position to take early retirement, seriously consider the options and if you can afford to retire early do it.

Thought this thread was cheery Friday and not “how to upset everyone else and make them envious when they have another 27 years to go before retirement” thread


Nice to hear it’s going well though, didn’t realise it was 6 months ago. Time flies!!

Or … be like me. I love my work and want to do it as long as I can and still enjoy it.

Amen John. A couple of years off for me but it's definitely happening!

Cheery for me as it's Friday, 'nuff said!

JohnClimber wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:14 pm Today marks the day 6 months ago, that the wife and I took early retirement.

It's been a fantastic 6 months and it's so much better than I thought it would be.

If you have hobbies, like being outside, enjoy travelling, have DIY projects and most importantly you are in a financial position to take early retirement, seriously consider the options and if you can afford to retire early do it.

Nice one John, just a few months to go for myself.

Dave Barter wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 7:34 pm Or … be like me. I love my work and want to do it as long as I can and still enjoy it.

And me! I reached state retirement age eleven years ago and I’m still an employee. I have reduced my hours by half though. The one thing I noticed, is that knowing I don’t have to be there makes it a lot easier to stay there.

And the money's nice.

whitestone wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:40 pm , just a few months to go for myself.

That's great news, mid week riding is so good and quiet.
Ride in a nice weather windows and being able to pick and choose is so good

I never know whether to envy or pity people who love work that much ; i am certainly not one of you and will retire as soon as I can

Edit: hopefully i wont.end up as soft as John . Commuting in this weather is not fun.

Lazarus wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:16 pm I never know whether to envy or pity people who love work that much ; i am certainly not one of you and will retire as soon as I can

Edit: hopefully i wont.end up as soft as John . Commuting in this weather is not fun.

Why would I spend 3/4 of my life which is precious and short doing something I don’t want to do. Pretty easy really. It’s not all been roses and I’ve taken massive risks but living in a town of retired people and listening to them in Coop I think I might be happier.

Why would I spend 3/4 of my life which is precious and short doing something I don’t want to do

to stop yourself from dying and to buy shinny bike shaped things? I dont hate my job, its allright , but if i did not need money I would not do it. Its nowhere near as much fun as fun things

Earlier this week, a woman from the bank asked if I'd like any assistance making plans for my retirement - I simply gave her a look of confusion and asked her what that was.

Contrary to popular belief, I didn't retire when I was 34 but have simply never had what you might call a 'normal' work life ... sometimes that's good but at other times, it can make everything feel like work. Careful out there because not all the grass is greener

I never utter the R word out loud. Too many people stop and drop dead the next week.

I'd say beware of focussing purely on self-centred pursuits once you've "done it" - it can very soon become an unfulfilling R word.

Cheery Friday to one and all! (one of my R 'volunteering' days )

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sat Nov 30, 2024 9:08 am Earlier this week, a woman from the bank asked if I'd like any assistance making plans for my retirement - I simply gave her a look of confusion and asked her what that was.

Contrary to popular belief, I didn't retire when I was 34 but have simply never had what you might call a 'normal' work life ... sometimes that's good but at other times, it can make everything feel like work. Careful out there because not all the grass is greener

Don't get me wrong Stu, I don't intend to simply "stop", I get "fidgety" doing nothing. I've been sorting out my pension recently (I could have done it nine months ago and started drawing it already) and noted to the advisor that I'd carry on working but in a reduced capacity, one or two days a week rather than two or three days a week. I like my work, dry stone walling plus various odd jobbing, I don't have to do it to pay "the man".

I've numerous friends who have quit "career jobs" for what might be termed "alternative" employment. Really they are doing something because they enjoy it not because they are pressured into chasing money. Interestingly many of them quit the financial/banking sector.

Lazarus wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:16 pm I never know whether to envy or pity people who love work that much…

Oh it’s not that I like work all that much, but I only work (if you can call it that) two days in eight. The job’s easy and I can do it with my eyes shut after so long. And they keep giving me money I get to see other faces that aren’t Mrs Frog or family and at least once a week I have to shave.

Add to that! If I’d fully retired when I could have, I’d be at least £160k poorer. Now, I haven’t noticed getting all that money, but I’m damned sure I would have missed it. F’rinstance it’s hard to change your car when you need to if you’ve only got a pension to live off, not to mention keeping the house warm.