Spending like drunken sailors on shore leave

 Well not quite but in trying to get all our ducks in a row ahead of retirement whilst also having a mind to not putting off everything nice until then we may just possibly have gone a little OTT.   It’s not like we don’t have some time to play with.  The current dates S is mooting are for him February 2031 ie at 64 with me going at the end of December 2030 at 65.  


What was a slow drip of those we know retiring has turned into, if not a flood, then a steady flow.  It is incredibly unsettling, not least, when trying to arrange a meet up and it is the retired ones who come back with “I’m just at ……………….I’ll check my diary when I’m home.”  The blank is never ‘mandatory training on (insert your own pet hate)’ or ‘sitting in traffic’ (though I have had a few “we’ll do lunch when Gallows Corner is sorted”).  No, it is “Queens”, “Ireland - we sailed over”, “………….. flower festival”, “………… village open garden day”, “that campsite you like in the South of France, come over”.  That is just a cross section of what we had over the course of one recent week.  


In what might arguably be viewed as an unsuccessful attempt to keep up with the (already retired) Joneses, we have so far this year, usual expenditure aside, clocked up a couple of not completely blow out but certainly not scrimped on holidays (though skiing is always a given).  We have booked a long weekend with (retired) friends in Madrid, I have a long weekend in London inc concert in a park with a (equally keen to retire but not quite there yet and putting plans in play) friend, we have a summer holiday booked for a mini villa/chalet at the aforementioned campsite in the South of France.  We have been to see the Royal Ballet (with retirees), Toyah Willcox, Othello at Hylands House (with retirees)  and have a RHS show booked (with retirees). 


We have had the house windows replaced and the builders (and scaffolders) are coming in to point the chimney stack.  We have new blinds up at 4 windows and new curtains ready to go up at another two.  We are ahead of the curve with regard winter heating provisions (chimney swept, kindling bins full, 2/3rd full coal bunker and enough wood split and stacked to see us through to the end of the year.  That last bit appeals to my inner prepper.  The collective of the earlier is coming close to giving cause for concern to my mean streak.


We have also put in an offer on a Motorhome.  We shall see if anything comes of that.


Can’t say we’ve neglected the fun stuff though the retired Joneses remain well ahead of us.  We have also got the house tweaks moving in the right direction, though curiously not massive inroads in to the jointly agreed ‘to do’ list as yet.  Maybe, however, we need to slow down a little or we may wear ourselves and our bank balance out before ‘R’ day arrives.


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