We’re Happy – the Brits told us so!

Retirement makes people feel happier and healthier than they had done at any point since their mid 30’s, we read in the paper recently.  A British study released by the Office for National Statistics shows that people in their late 60s feel like they are back in their prime.  That’s good to know, and presumably retired people down here in the colonies feel the same.

What makes us happy?  Getting away for trips in the caravan must rank very high in the happiness stakes, whether it is just a weekend away, or a longer trip.  In fact, weekend trips these days are only governed by our busy calendar.  If we have nothing else to stay home for, why not stay away a  few extra days either side of the weekend?  We do now – because we can! 

And there is nothing more satisfying than being tucked up in bed during the cold dark winter mornings with the wind blowing a gale and the rain belting down.  Gone are our days of rising at 5.00am every workday.  And we don’t miss all those years of public transport, waiting at bus stops and railway stations, jostling for a seat, and the long trip there and back.  Getting home late, lighting the fire, cooking tea, then before you know, it was time for bed and the next day was the same old grind.  Back then, I worked out that with all the travelling, a seven and half hour working day meant eleven and a half hours away from home each day.  No wonder it was such an effort day after day..

Our new home makes us very happy indeed, in fact, we never thought that we would ever own a brand new home at this time in our lives.  It is nice and sunny, well insulated, and just the right size for the two of us.  With a handyman who cuts the lawns, there is no problem with taking an extended holiday and worrying about the grass getting out of hand.  Not only that, but he washes the exterior windows regularly too!  On reflection, we probably should have moved years ago, but these big decisions take time to mull over, don’t they?

I’m a great believer in always having something planned to look forward to,  but the biggest thing in life is being together with the love of your life through thick and thin.  It just can’t get better than that, can it?