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Heaven is.....

(82 Posts)
Greatnan Wed 14-Aug-13 12:52:21

Eating foie gras whilst listening to the sound of trumpets, according to Sidney Smith. ( I approve of the trumpets but not the foie gras.)
For me this morning, heaven was sitting on a hillside in the sun, surrounded by wild flowers and looking down on my block of flats, about 100' below. I had walked for two hours in the forest behind my home, got nicely lost, as usual, found a logging track and figured it must lead somewhere and emerged onto the hillside. I had a picnic (I always carry one now, having had one episode of feeling faint as my bp dropped through exertion and dehydration). I could very faintly hear the sound of the Matchbox cars crawling on the road below, but the only sounds nearby were cowbells and the hum of insects. There were clouds of butterflies, mainly settling on some flowers that looked like cornflowers, but were lavender.
I have lived here for three years now and loved every minute. If it were not for my wish to be near my daughter in New Zealand, I would stay here until I died, or at least as long as I was able to live independently.

MiceElf Fri 16-Aug-13 13:31:57

Moved, I put over 60s as that's (roughly) retirement age. It's then possible to take up, or restart activities for which there has been insufficient time during a full time working career. The other reason is that this seems to be the age when certain health problems appear. Osteoporosis, meaning that falling or tripping must be avoided at all costs, osteoarthritis, which can be restricting, eyes need regular testing, the weight might have crept on and there might increasing balance problems.

When I was 25 I climbed Kilimanjaro, the very thought makes feel faint now and I know I need to return to a more active lifestyle. Greatnan's blog / post was just what I needed with wise, but not restricting advice.

soop Fri 16-Aug-13 13:51:32

Greatnan I am filled with admiration for your boundless spirit and energy. flowers

Greatnan Fri 16-Aug-13 14:49:21

I can return that compliment very sincerely, Soop!

Butty Fri 16-Aug-13 15:08:47

Walking through a beech wood on a sun-dappled trail. That always lifts my spirits. smile

soop Fri 16-Aug-13 16:29:33

Standing on the sea shore and listening to chuckle of waves as they play alongside the pebbles. smile

Stansgran Fri 16-Aug-13 22:09:51

Walking slowly in a wood below CatBells listening to the silence