An update from me

[skid112]

Morning all,

A few things here. I am amazed at how many people there are on this forum now, when I first came it was in the low 100's now we should soon hit 10,000. Thanks to all the contributors for their invaluable help to everyone.

So, the day has finally come to walk out of work and, well, do nothing. I finish April 30th, they have been very good to me, a generous package allowing me to pick my date of leaving. All is good.

First plan, fly to Spain, some of you know i go there often walking in the hills and getting plenty of sunshine and exercise. This time round a little different, aiming to walk up Mulhacen, highest peak in the Sierra Nevada at 3482 metres. A little different to the sponsored walk over Hadrian Wall from last October. (Sorry BHF this is for pleasure no sponsorship) After that, I just don't know, cant be sitting on my rear all day so some sort of work I would guess, certainly not full time though.

Mark

[Shar28]

Morning Mark, how fantastic that you can retire from work. I’m sure you’ll soon fill your days with things you want to do - including “nothing”. Hope you have a lovely walking holiday in Spain.

Best wishes

Sharon

[stevejb1810]

Hi Mark

Congratulations on your imminent retirement - it's a state I can heartily recommend. You'll quickly find that your days will fill and you'll have plenty to do and now is the time to do all the things you thought you might want to have a go at. Go and spend the kids inheritance, you've earned the right to do so

Steve

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to stevejb1810]

Hi Steve, thank you, am hoping it goes the same way as yours

[Twobells]

Lovely to hear from you again and that you are OK. I had to stop work due to my health and to be honest I don't know how I ever fitted into my life. There is always something to do. I continue at the gym thee times a week. Walk my dog on long walks. I have a couple of voluntary jobs one of them an Ambassador ole for Guide Dogs fighting for causes that affectt the visual impaired.

I cannot believe its 2 years since my bypass, but although I am doing OK I still have the dark days. I no longer recognise who I have become. I keep busy, but when I have a good day doing lots it takes me days to get over it. Last week we had a walking holiday in Cornwall it is now Wednesday and I am still like a zombie, no energy I just want to sleep. This is something that really frustrates me because I was always active, working exercising raising the children. Sick to death of going to GP. Although they have diagnosed anaemia which causes deep fatigue they give iron injections and that causes other problems. Its like a roller coaster going round and round and I have got to the stage where I just want it to stop. It maybe the fact that its the anniversary. I have never been to Spain, but it is a sunny climate which also helps.

Stay well, enjoy your time as always.

You help enormously as you ae slightly ahead of me in terms of time scales.

Take Care

FRAN

[skid112 Heart Star]

Hi Fran, I still get days when I am wiped out, still have the many 8.30 bed times and you sound as busy as ever. Sorry to hear about the anemia, I have a friend who suffers that and the iron injections too not nice at all.

Are you still on beta blockers? Maybe time for a re think on these

[Zena166]

Hi Mark. Brilliant news for you. Enjoy every minute of it. I can highly recommend it. I do a lot of volunteering in terms of commenting on research as well as being involved with health watch and all sorts of other stuff. It’s great because I can pick and choose and if I have a bad day I can send my apologies without feeling too guilty! And of course there is the gym and some days I just have a pyjama day!! Enjoy Spain and your retirement. Take care. Zena x

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Well Mark I hope you have a long and happy retirement. Have you done Camino de Santiago? A friend did it a few years ago. He said he will never do it again but like a marathon was glad he did it (the once). How do you find the altitude affects you? Cheers, Michael...

[skid112 Heart Star in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael,

Thank you and its on the wish list. I admit I struggle at altitude, but the air is that little bit cleaner so its not so bad.

cheers