It has been some time since I made any sort of contribution to The Mitre and I considered it about time I made some extra effort this year. In fact, for various reasons, it has been a few years since I managed to drag myself, kicking and screaming, to the Annual Reunion in October for which I feel suitably guilty. So for 2001 I thought I would attempt to put some things right in my life and not only write an article but also keep the 2001 Reunion Weekend free.
Retirement came a little bit earlier than planned and it has taken Angela and me some time to adjust our lives to this new extravagant life style. Extravagant did I say? Good God. I know we are beginning to enter unknown territory when we begin to take notice of “THREE FOR THE PRICE OF TWO” and “LOOK OUT FOR TODAY’S BEST OFFERS”. It is a brand new world!!
So, because Ian Botham tells us that eating three Shredded Wheat will strengthen my heart and may “buy” me a longer life, if any of you are interested in buying a box or two, please let me know!
Since I successfully passed the 57 years old line back in April this year I find I am thinking more and more about the 60th year looming up across the horizon and mind boggling subjects like “Investments” and “Pensions”. Is there any hope for me whatsoever? More seriously is the fact that I truly believe I am beginning to develop the “Victor Meldrew Syndrome”. Now, this is serious stuff.
I have not yet filled my toilet bowl with compost and as far as I am aware I don’t think we have had a lamppost through the front bedroom window. No, I am able to categorically state that, to the best of my knowledge, I have not locked my 85 year old mother-in-law up the attic, but then these tablets are a bit on the strong side.
The Victor Meldrew Syndrome does effect us and will effect us all during the passage of time (I wish I had not used that expression) and there is much sympathy I am able to reflect on, as life goes on, similar to those experienced by Victor himself.
To pinch a book title from Terry Wogan himself and apologise for doing so: “Is it me?” Is the whole world going completely bonkers or I am I in the minority?
I hire a skip and have it parked outside the house and spend the majority of the night getting in and out of bed hoping to catch some poor soul emptying the contents of their dustbin! Sad.
I confiscate the ball from the kids playing in the street just because it accidentally falls foul of my front garden. Sad.
I watch with astonishment as children purposefully throw sweet papers, cans and sometimes the whole contents from their pockets onto pavements when within an arms length there is a beautiful litterbin just waiting to be filled. Do I intervene?
Oh! Come come. Life is really not too bad.
Ever since I gave back the Company Car I realised that the normal activity is to pay thousands of pounds to a Dealer for the privilege of owning a car of your own. Then there are the Insurance premiums that are really attractive to the 50+ age group.
Hang on a mo…………………What’s all this business about having to pay for your own fuel to run the car? Nearly £4 a gallon! On your bike. The car can stay on the driveway.
Do I really want to go on a SAGA Holiday?
Angela tells me that falling down the stairs during the night about two months ago did me very little good simply because I did not hit my head. Since, to my best knowledge, alcohol was not the cause, I am still mystified why I turned right instead of left on the top landing and tried to fly!!
Wait a minute………………..Skies are clearing, the sun is appearing, it has stopped raining……….no, really, it has; and all of a sudden life is looking really good.
What will I do with my time today. Looks good enough to play Golf and later in the day maybe a spot of gardening. That’s a lot better.
Something has just clattered through the letterbox. Just another pile of brochures trying to persuade me to take another Cruise.
All of a sudden the aches and pains have subsided and the winter blues have gone for another season. Life is not so bad after all and if all else fails, there is always the car to be cleaned and polished………..again.
Have fun whatever you are up to and please remember, Make the most of life because you are only here once and every day should be considered to be sacrosanct.
Best wishes to you all
