LIFE AS A RETIREE
Until
recently I was unsure about an “idle” lifestyle. I was worried I about having
to plan an entire day’s slate of activities in retirement. It was daunting. I
was more comfortable wading through a myriad of work details and tasks. Before,
I lived only for a future that would never arrive and which sadly is never
guaranteed, and I was obsessed and worried over a past with its inevitable
mistakes that are a part of the process of living. The present was completely overlooked.
Well,
that all may seem ponderous doesn’t it, but truthfully it took a good while of
adjusting and considering being elsewhere and enjoying the day rather than just
surviving it. Janet helped immensely with a few well-timed slaps to the head and
more than one kick in the pants. She is a deep well of support and tough love. The
relaxed nature of our lives now allows us to be elsewhere whenever the mood, or
the price, is right. Where once life was guided by stringent rules it now waifs
along with serendipity and chance.
That’s
why we’re currently in England visiting family. A few months back an air fare
alert email from JustFly.com came to Janet. Air to Manchester from Philadelphia
was $452, which is very cheap. Not having to think about logistics we jumped on
the fare and now we’re back in the south Chesire town of Nantwich.
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| THE BAR AT THE CROWN HOTEL |
Readers
of this blog know that we have been coming here since her daughter’s marriage
in 2011. Their English wedding was held at the Crown Hotel, a place that dates
from the 1500’s (or so).
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| CROWN HOTEL |
Every
time we arrive the in-laws say we’ll be bored here, but I have yet to tire of
Nantwich. Yes, it’s a big world out there and someone has to see it, but
Nantwich is a lovely jumping off point for everywhere else. This little town has
become a second home for us. When here, the day brims with playtime with the grandchildren,
drinks with the in-laws, toddling into town for a coffee and to listen for the
bells of St. Mary’s marking the hour, or to market for the day’s supplies. That’s
a lot to do! Of course Janet comes here more often. She was just here in
January, but our current air fare was too inviting to pass up on a trip less
than 4 months later. Since the wedding this is my fifth time here, with two
trips here during the Christmas holidays and an extended trip in the summer of
2016.
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| ST. MARY;S NANTWICH |
Of course
we plan little side trips while here, sometimes with the kids, sometimes on our
own. Since our first trip we’ve visited Liverpool, traveled to Belgium to drink
beer, crossed the Pennines to stay in York and spent a blur of an afternoon in
Chester.
This year
we’re off for a two-day trip to Lancaster, and Windermere in the Lake District.
This will
be two weeks of family time, which sadly was an entire lifetime more than I allowed myself when
working furiously.
