Hob's forum blog on retirement this week is pertinent to me today. I signed the formal documents today to end my career at the end of September for good We've planned an early retirement since we were in our 20's but now it's here, it feels just a little scary!! He's 56 and I am 54 and we have a very long bucket list, so we should be busy (although, I won't be on a pension income for a while, so it will be on a budget lol).

We leave for European madness (literally!) for 7 weeks next week, including:

1. Driving to Switzerland with a *ing enormous boxed treadmill weighing the equivalent of 2 people in the T5 to take to a relative's place in Switzerland, meaning we cant really stop en route and doing god knows what to our petrol consumption, on top of towing the Eriba for he first time
2. Doing what I consider to be one of the worst double hairpin mountain bends in the world to get to relative's place, whilst towing the Eriba for he first time
3. Meeting and assisting elder son to ride 2000m + mountain passes in Switzerland and Italy on his bike (pedal) for a week
4. Driving over the Simplon pass to the lakes towing an Eriba for the first time
5. Encountering Italian drivers whilst towing a caravan for the first time
6. Picking daughter up from Milan and entertaining her for 3 weeks, starting down the East coast of Italy from Venice to Rimini
7. Meeting up with friends in their white fridge on wheels on Garda for 4 days.... on time!
8.Driving back over the Alps via St Bernard with the Eriba
9. Visiting family (having to do the double hairpin again!)
10. Dropping daughter off in Geneva

Then for 3 weeks we lie down in a dark Eriba somewhere in France to get over it all, before I go back to work for 2 weeks!!

And breathe!

I'll add to that all the campsites in Italy in August being almost 50 Euros per night We'll be doing the off season thing in Europe next year and coming home for the school summer holidays!

Fabulous - young enough, spirited enough - just get on and enjoy it ! (great tow vehicle, great new Eriba - can't go wrong ) :)

Have fun, and report back !

Congratulations Leslie, you've earned it.
Now go forth and enjoy!

I was made redundant when I was 55 we reappraised our situation and I made the decision to retire on the day I was told about the redundancy.

I had planned to retire at 60 but 5 years earlier was a BIG bonus. We have good savings, a good pension (24 years in the Army) and no debts! We own everything we have, we also had another endowment due out when I was 60 (due to pre planning) this bought us a newer car last year.

I can honestly say it's the best thing thats happened to us, we are happier, contented, feel no pressure, young enough to enjoy retirement, and fit enough to live it. I cannot recommend it enough, I see so many who "chase" the latest and greatest, have to "help the kids" our only child, our daughter Becky paid for her own wedding! Which cost less than £2k she was / is extremely happy knowing she will inherit more when we fade away.

We are away all year except school holidays thats not down to the kids! It's down to the parents who can't keep tbem under control

Anyway if you can afford to do it, just do it. I won 't get a bus pass until I'm 63.5 but I will qualify for old age pension at 65 (minted)

Sounds like retirement might be busier than working

Quote: hob wrote in post #7

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Sounds like retirement might be busier than working

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Hopefully I am not far behind I may be made redundant March next year 58 years young fingers crossed. We have also planned this for around 30 years so house well in order. Our only problem then is my wife's business flower shop I am sure we can sort its either sell, rent or carry on for a year or two. We will see but our plans are similar to a lot of yours get out and enjoy.
Morphy

You'll be needing a bigger van then Steve!
I would suggest that an Eriba Triton 420GT was just right for 2 people and 2 small dogs!
Tony & Frances

Hiya Frantone,
I am on with that started to look around now going to try a familia first I like to move up slowly. Although I really do enjoy the puck and you know with that awning on its not a bad size.

Who was it who said size does not matter?
Morphy

Quote: Morphy wrote in post #11

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Who was it who said size does not matter?

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We live on fresh air - in more ways than one! Wouldn't swap it.

I retired 5yrs ago at 62yrs of age after being offered a 'package' to retire early. That was the best thing that I have ever done. I wish now that I had made the move years ago.
I have been able to do so many things that I have wanted to do for a long time, including riding my (push) bike through Ten Countries in Ten Days(UK to Italy) last year.
I am now planning on some other adventures that will involve the Eriba....
My advise to anyone thinking of making that move from the working life into retirement is don't hesitate...just do it!

Emjoy your retirement both of you.