A Retirement Blog by Caree Risover: A Week in Which....

INTRODUCTION

There seems to be a scarcity of UK retirement blogs out there (other than those proffering financial advice) and in the absence of my being able to read about other people's experiences, I instead offer you my own "Great Big Retirement Adventure."

My husband (Mister E) and I have moved from the initial concept through the planning stages to implementation and this site is intended to record the whole process. What I am seeking from retirement is now very different to what I thought I was planning and has gradually developed into a quest for fitness and a desire for simplification, with a transition away from both a highly organised lifestyle and the personality traits reflecting a pedantic professional career. Indeed I recently described myself as "a goofy idiot" who enjoys smiling at sunflowers; a far cry from the pre-retirement professional and an indication of just how far I have travelled.

Please visit from time to time and do add your comments. The blog is in reverse chronological order but popular posts and those highlighting our journey are specifically pinpointed below on the right hand side together with a list of topics covered. Alternatively you may prefer to look at the summary or wisdom we have acquired or even our have done list with its retirement atlas and dip in and out of the blog using the links given.

Friday, 15 April 2016

A Week in Which....

I have survived a non-stop week in which:

I met my MP to lobby for support with Save the Children's campaign for proper investment in nursery education;

I had an induction to be able to provide emergency cover for regular volunteers in Save the Children's local shop;

I attended three Pilates classes, one Yoga class; two Body Blitz sessions and did a gym workout;

I came face to face with Leonardo da Vinci or rather some of his original drawings at an exhibition from the Royal Collection at the Laing Art Gallery in Newcastle;

I prepared, clerked and then typed the minutes for a Parish Council meeting;

I went on a wonderful walk in the Yorkshire Dales, still a little soggy from all the winter's rain but, with a blue sky and a breeze, it was invigorating and the views were magnificent;

I caught a return ferry to Amsterdam to see the bulbs in bloom in the flower fields and be dazzled by the wonderful displays in the Keukenhof Gardens.

When you play hard, it's not like working hard. You may still need a rest in retirement but flopping in brain-dead mode or with a head reeling with facts and figures that just won't go away is no longer on the menu. Instead and buoyed by exhilaration, it's time to plan the next activity.