Gransnet forums

Chat

What’s still on your bucket list

(63 Posts)
boo12 Mon 02-Mar-26 21:03:42

Iv had children and grandchildren, happily married . I have some serious chronic health issues that mean I ā€œretiredā€ early . My husband still works so despite living on disability and his earnings I hope to enjoy my next few years .
We hope to

Visit various counties
Weekends away
Sort the house and garden into a sanctuary rather than functional.
Read and cook more
Enjoy hobbies, and iv discovered another in fine art .
I found it difficult at first but I’m trying to embrace the freedom .
And iv just bought a snake šŸ a life long dream

Coconut Sun 08-Mar-26 16:37:00

I’ve been so very lucky to be able to have lots of ticks on my bucket list, since my 5 GC are all grown up: jazz tour to New Orleans, Rio Carnival, iguaza Falls, Tango show in Argentina, Salsa dancing in Cuba, Godfather Tour in Sicily, then Sardinia, Madeira, lots of Italy trips, Caribbean cruise, northern Lights and the whales and my fave has been a month long South Sea Island cruise from Sydney, to NZ, then Bora Bora, Tahiti and on to Hawaii. I’ve done this with Singles travel companies as I’ve never been lucky in love, have had some awful times, and this has all been about my dreams. Still have a few more things to do and I keep adding things too, so while I have good health I shall keep going. Life’s for living ……

Susieq62 Sun 08-Mar-26 16:28:21

Oh and dance the tango in Argentina

Susieq62 Sun 08-Mar-26 16:27:36

Japan
Costa Rica
Albania by train
A cruise to the north of Norway

A reading retreat.

Ktsmum Sun 08-Mar-26 16:05:54

Christmss afternoon tea at The Ritz😃

GolferGrandma Sun 08-Mar-26 15:31:22

My motto has always been ā€œCARPE DIEMā€ and so fortunate to have ā€œseized the dayā€ until last year when I was diagnosed with a rare and stage 4 (terminal) cancer. I am 79 and hopeful to reach the 80th birthday, but late in the year, November, so trying hard to think positively that will be achievable.

I had a bucket list wish and achieved most on it, many cruises (Med, Caribbean, Baltic, Pacific- Hawaii & Kiribati, Arctic - Northern Lights, holidays to China, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Jordan (Petra), Egypt, many European countries. So, not much left except the top one I’ll never manage now, being Iguazu Falls.
So, in reality I have nothing to complain about and have wonderful memories. Twice we have cruised round British Isles and can certainly recommend these. One included Orkneys, the other Shetlands, also took boat trip to Fingles Cave from Mull.
This is not me intending to brag but endorsing what a wonderful life travelling I’ve had, and at this stage, to have only one bucket list item remaining.
I will repeat ā€œCARPE DIEMā€ to you all. X

Tooyoungytobeagrandma Sun 08-Mar-26 15:26:04

....apart from..... not sure where spare came from, darn autocorrect šŸ™„

Tooyoungytobeagrandma Sun 08-Mar-26 15:24:23

Blacktabby2

I too would like a very small pussycat tattoo!

I had my first tattoo at 63 and it was just a small one. Now some years later & for very personal reasons Im having it covered with a much larger cat surrounded by watercolour flowers. I don't really have a bucket list and spare from visiting a holiday home as often as possible my want to travel is negligible as no longer enjoy long haul. There are a few countries in Europe I'd like to visit but DH health issues have put a halt to that for now. Im just happy to wake up everyday, be able to get around fairly easily, arthritis allowing, and just enjoy the place I live with my new DH.

LaCrepescule Sun 08-Mar-26 15:16:32

I think bucket lists are counter-productive and frankly a bit well, meh.
I have things I’d like to achieve - improve my piano-playing, singing, painting skills, foreign languages, learn more about history….
I strive to improve myself in everything I do and that’s what matters to me.

gillyknits Sun 08-Mar-26 15:11:44

A tiny mouse tattoo!

lizzypopbottle Sun 08-Mar-26 14:19:35

Learn to dance the Viennese waltz...

Norah Sun 08-Mar-26 14:19:23

seasider

@Basgetti . Iceland is stunning don’t miss out on a visit .

I agree. Well worth a short trip.

knspol Sun 08-Mar-26 14:19:15

Always wanted to go to Jerusalem/Bethlehem. Late DH and I booked once but had to cancel because of outbreak of trouble. Did also want to go to Antarctic and Machu Picchu but not trips I'd want to make on my own. Have not travelled since DH passed away, can't face it but we travelled widely for many years so have been very lucky.

Jess20 Sun 08-Mar-26 14:14:57

Basgetti, yes, Iceland and northern lights, also concerned about getting stuck after the the time one of their volcano erupted - my partner was abroad for work at the time and couldn't get a flight home, he was somewhere interesting and ended up with an extra week off to go exploring all paid for by his company and had a lovely holiday, but not sure I'd be as relaxed about it.

Fallingstar Sun 08-Mar-26 14:10:00

For me just having peaceful relaxing moments in lovely surroundings is enough.
Have travelled and done so many exciting and wonderful things with my DH since we retired but since his stroke we can’t do much but little things can be just as good.

twinnytwin Sun 08-Mar-26 14:09:52

Visiting Petra in Jordan has always been on my travel bucket list and we've booked for October but I think we'll give it a miss for this year. We'll maybe put the deposit paid already towards a trip to South Africa instead or a trip to Athens to see the Acropolis which is another on my list.
My heart goes out to all of you who've had to cancel or curtail your travelling due to illness, your own or a loved one. we're told endlessly to spend the kids' inheritance on ourselves whilst we can.

sandye Sun 08-Mar-26 13:57:30

Visit Cambodia, unfortunately I'm not not able to do it as cannot walk well. Had a good life and have done quite a lot of traveling. Quiet happily both of us retired now.

Blacktabby2 Sun 08-Mar-26 13:51:40

I too would like a very small pussycat tattoo!

Missiseff Sun 08-Mar-26 13:48:04

I haven't got one, I think they're pointless

BlueBelle Thu 05-Mar-26 13:17:02

Life not night, oh for an edit button !!! šŸ™„

BlueBelle Thu 05-Mar-26 13:16:11

Never had a bucket list
I agree with the voluntary work, 20 hours a week and I love it and feel so empty when I don’t go to it.
I ve done plenty of travelling when I was younger now I enjoy seeing my grandkids do the same, even going to some places, I went to, I have two photos taken a few years apart of grandkids in exactly the position I was in about 50 plus years ago
I don’t like or feel the need to have anything to aspire to apart from a reasonably peaceful night

Rosiebee Thu 05-Mar-26 11:09:34

We retired together, I was 58 and DH was 60. No particular plans in mind. A month later DH was diagnosed with throat and neck cancer. Surgery and Radiotherapy followed and we eventually came through. My dear mum in law died towards the end of the treatment. I think the shock of her son having cancer brought on a very rapid decline. A year later we did our first "big trip" to San Francisco, Hawaii and Lad Vegas. We've since been to all the places we wanted to go to, despite a further unrelated diagnosis of prostate cancer. If you can, and I absolutely acknowledge that we have been fortunate, do what you dream of while and if you are able. The cancer really made us think of how we wanted our life to be. Now in our mid 70s, we're content to potter, but I do have a yearning to return to Australia and New Zealand for a protracted holiday. Can't see it coming -health/finances but that would be my last bucket wish.

JamesandJon33 Wed 04-Mar-26 11:02:40

Oh and I forgot to add ….a very small tattoo

Basgetti Wed 04-Mar-26 11:01:49

JamesandJon33

Basgetti They cruise Shetland and Orkneys too. Plus Ireland I believe .

Thank you, will certainly look into it!

JamesandJon33 Tue 03-Mar-26 18:02:26

Basgetti They cruise Shetland and Orkneys too. Plus Ireland I believe .

TwiceAsNice Tue 03-Mar-26 16:44:13

My bucket list on travel is on hold at the moment as waiting for major back op and in too much pain to do much whilst I’m waiting .

Still working part time and luckily live with family who can help me. Am enjoying what I can do and planning in my head some new things when I’ve recovered . Music and reading helps me relax and time spent with friends .

Travel hopes are Poland and Italy as I’ve never got there and going back to my beloved Wales . I have a favourite Airbnb . I’ve explained to the host that I won’t be able to be there for a bit and she’s sent me a lovely message and some photos of her New Year referb. It was already lovely and now can’t wait to go back to stay