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Age is just a number

(70 Posts)
Whitewavemark2 Tue 01-Jul-25 07:11:02

We’ve just returned from a weeks holiday, where we met and clicked with two other couples. We have never had so much fun and laughter “till we cried” for a long time.

We walked in airless 35c temperature, sat in an open top boat in the same temperature, and did everything older people are advised against, like eating late at night and drinking quantities of alcohol.

Their ages?

98, 95, 89, and 81.

They were full of laughter, zest for living, and enthusiasm. (It helps that we shared the same politics😊).

I shall miss them so much.

grumppa Wed 02-Jul-25 18:04:59

It was a lovely and joyous post, Whitewavemark2, and I am sure you would have enjoyed each others' company even if your politics had turned out not to coincide. My oldest friend (60 years) voted for Brexit, but we have not let that spoil our relationship.

foxie48 Wed 02-Jul-25 18:20:16

I've met some really lovely Americans of all ages on holiday and almost without exception they have raised the issue of Trump and the fact they didn't vote for him. TBH I get the impression that they have felt that being in a different country they have felt free to speak. This has often led to a "political" discussion and for me a greater understanding of a completely different culture which adds greatly to my holiday.

AmberGran Wed 02-Jul-25 18:36:32

Crossstitchfan

Happilyretired123

Lovely post🙂 and nothing wrong with sharing similar political views! Life too short to be all doom and gloom🥂

Agree in principle but why on earth talk politics on holiday? Some people need to get a life!

As OP mentioned - it lasted for about two minutes and was probably to do with something that had happened recently, Maybe even something that made them laugh. Politics is part of our everyday lives - decisions made affect us all in many different ways and sometimes those changes are discussed amongst friends whether on holiday or not.

Sounds like the OP has an extremely good life already.

Mollygo Wed 02-Jul-25 18:39:42

foxie48
Even back when we had a Johnson and they had a Trump, the Americans we met were always keen to talk politics.
We learned by experience to greet their
What do you think of Trump?
with Well you know more about him, what do you think?
That was after one couple were voluble in their support for Trump and objected to any comparison with BJ.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 02-Jul-25 18:40:18

Yes it just comes up as the holiday goes along.

We were stopped by the German border force from entering Germany from Switzerland because the poor coach driver didn’t have the correct paperwork. We were stopped for an hour and a half, whilst everyone else whizzed through.

That brought on much laughter about brexit as you might imagine.

lafergar Wed 02-Jul-25 18:40:20

So happy for you WW2. I wonder why we all turn into much nicer people on holiday?

Multiple reasons, I suppose.
Disengaging from SM may play a part.

valdavi Wed 02-Jul-25 18:42:14

It's really nice to hear of you all living each moment at that age. My Dad would be 92 but he died of an MI as did so many others, in 1990.
Mustn't let getting old dim your joie de vivre.

Age isn't just a number though, for most of us (me & friends) physical resilience and mental resilience are not what they once were. Luckily, less is expected of us so the extra hours we have make up for the fact that we can't go at it like we once could.

4allweknow Wed 02-Jul-25 23:21:32

Fun and laughter isn't reserved for the young. Sounds like you've had a holiday you will remember.

whywhywhy Wed 02-Jul-25 23:39:16

Mam used to say that youth was wasted on the young! How true. Us oldies know how to have a laugh and party! 🥳

Wyllow3 Thu 03-Jul-25 00:11:57

Chocolatelovinggran

Brilliant WWM- a wonderful example of ageing and retaining a zest for life.
I'd like that to be me if/ when I reach that age.

Me too. I've always liked older people as friends. Unless they have "given up", which is terribly sad, but life can push one into doing that. top O/P.

"when I am old, I shall wear purple"

first, the words

www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/warning/

then an "Only in the UK!" version -enjoy (if you like the poem)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWrPVqOUKGk&list=RDrWrPVqOUKGk&start_radio=1

Whitewavemark2 Thu 03-Jul-25 09:13:06

lafergar

So happy for you WW2. I wonder why we all turn into much nicer people on holiday?

Multiple reasons, I suppose.
Disengaging from SM may play a part.

😄. I don’t think the 98 year old has ever been engaged with SM. But he was as sharp as a knife where being informed was concerned.

We floated past the EU parliament building and to much merriment he gave a running commentary on Farage. Goodness knows what the people on the bank thought. There was this boat full of English who were laughing uproariously.

Wyllow3 Thu 03-Jul-25 10:49:04

Oh my, terrific, WWM. I wish I had been there, I will order a magic carpet if you alert me.

Taichinan Fri 04-Jul-25 11:25:06

Wyllow I just loved your OP! What a super crowd! And I bet the reason they're so sprightly and young compared to their chronological age is that they laugh and enjoy life. I bet they do have aches and pains, but equally I bet you'd never know!

Wyllow3 Fri 04-Jul-25 12:31:10

Oh thank you! I did enjoy doing it a great deal and hoped it would be appreciated x

Wyllow3 Fri 04-Jul-25 12:32:06

It takes a little patience to view the whole U tube, but it picks up as it goes through and gets more and more witty. lol.

Usedtobeblonde Fri 04-Jul-25 12:33:20

I shall be 88 next Saturday and while I don’t go on long holidays anymore I do have several small breaks every year.
Recently went from Manchester to W Sussex by train alone but using assistance and just love a cocktail or three, G&T and a couple of glasses of wine.
My GC who I visited then remarked that I get into conversation with strangers every time we are out, it is true, I just love people and they nearly always respond.

I eat out with a friend twice a month, Chinese buffet tomorrow evening and only visit my GP when called for.
I keep my politics to myself as my friend and I are very opposite in our views as I know by the placards she displays in her garden at election time on behalf of her chosen party, I just keep quiet.

Mollygo Fri 04-Jul-25 14:59:27

Usedtobeblonde
I keep my politics to myself as my friend and I are very opposite in our views as I know by the placards she displays in her garden at election time on behalf of her chosen party, I just keep quiet.
Very wise. Unless you know others are in agreement with you, then best to leave politics alone and talk about other things that interest you.
You can see on GN how things get once politics is brought in.

lafergar Fri 04-Jul-25 17:31:29

Whitewavemark2

lafergar

So happy for you WW2. I wonder why we all turn into much nicer people on holiday?

Multiple reasons, I suppose.
Disengaging from SM may play a part.

😄. I don’t think the 98 year old has ever been engaged with SM. But he was as sharp as a knife where being informed was concerned.

We floated past the EU parliament building and to much merriment he gave a running commentary on Farage. Goodness knows what the people on the bank thought. There was this boat full of English who were laughing uproariously.

Sounds grand and good luck to him.

Allira Fri 04-Jul-25 23:07:50

Mollygo

Usedtobeblonde
I keep my politics to myself as my friend and I are very opposite in our views as I know by the placards she displays in her garden at election time on behalf of her chosen party, I just keep quiet.
Very wise. Unless you know others are in agreement with you, then best to leave politics alone and talk about other things that interest you.
You can see on GN how things get once politics is brought in.

Never discuss money or politics!!