Gransnet forums

Relationships

Unfaithful husband?

(149 Posts)
ClareAB Wed 21-Jan-26 08:13:35

My husband is 78, I am 60. We've been together for 17 years. He was always into a bit of kink between us, and I didn't mind. About 10 years ago he became impotent. He lost all interest in sex, and I didn't push it as I didn't want him to feel humiliated. I leant into the marriage as it was and accepted that sex was not on the agenda. A few times I have found him watching porn which has upset me, not because I'm a prude, but because he clearly still has a libido just not with me. We've talked about it, but then it gets dropped and life carries on.
We have a cleaner who comes for a few hours per week. Had her for 8 years, and grown to love her dearly, as has my husband, we joke that she's our adopted daughter. She's into humming birds big time, so birthdays etc I try find something humming bird related. So, today I was in my utility room and wanted something off the top shelf. I have to stand on a stool, so I do and see a box on top of the cupboard, open the box, it's a beautiful bone China hand painted cup and saucer, with humming birds on it... I think ok, put it back in the box and then see an old fashioned school masters cane next to it. I think there's something going on, or am I going mad?

sixandahalf Tue 27-Jan-26 15:05:18

LucyAnna5

The Hummingbird Mysteries

Cosy crime?

I think not!

JamesandJon33 Mon 26-Jan-26 15:55:08

Plus prequel and sequel .

LucyAnna5 Mon 26-Jan-26 14:01:13

The Hummingbird Mysteries

JamesandJon33 Mon 26-Jan-26 12:07:08

I’ve designed my own book covers. I”ll give that a good when the time is right.

LucyAnna5 Mon 26-Jan-26 08:26:46

Oh yes, I can imagine it as a series.…..😀

JamesandJon33 Mon 26-Jan-26 07:41:06

And don’t forget the cane sixandahalf …perhaps down the spine

ClareAB Mon 26-Jan-26 01:52:08

Thank you.

sixandahalf Sun 25-Jan-26 20:11:49

I can picture the book cover now. An embossed hummingbird pink and gold on the upper right side.

LucyAnna5 Sun 25-Jan-26 19:02:32

kittylester

JamesandJon33

Storm in a teacup.

Boom boom!gringrin

Good title for the story though grin!

kittylester Sun 25-Jan-26 16:55:45

JamesandJon33

Storm in a teacup.

Boom boom!gringrin

Allira Sun 25-Jan-26 16:26:43

I'd start looking for a care home.
Stay in the house, Clare!

Newatthis Sun 25-Jan-26 16:24:16

Make yourself a cuppa in it, leave the empty box where he can see it and start using the walking cane making the excuse that you have hurt your ankle.

Millie22 Sun 25-Jan-26 15:37:38

ClareAB
Well you've managed to keep this nonsense going for 6 pages.

Don't you have any hobbies?

Applegran Sun 25-Jan-26 15:37:20

ClareAB I am sorry if you have been hurt . It is a very strange set of circumstances. My inclination is to say you clearly do not have a happy marriage, you do not love your husband, you can visualise a happier life living on your own, and could manage OK financially. If all that is true, the cup and saucer and the cane are not the key issue - you sound as if you want to leave anyway. So I wish you well and hope you can soon find a way ahead where you are much happier.

Basgetti Sun 25-Jan-26 14:38:59

ClareAB

Thank you. It's going to be a tough year ahead. Walking away from my dream cottage I've spent 8 years renovating as my home for life is gonna be a wrench. But it feels like a gilded cage now. Im not frightened to have a small house and income. I bought up 3 boys on my own on a nurses salary. I now have 3 gorgeous granddaughters. So I'm walking towards independence and peace. It will be fine ultimately ✊️

Why the hell do you have to walk away? Kick his sorry arse out!

LucyAnna5 Sun 25-Jan-26 12:33:19

Yes, good luck with the fiction writing - but don’t give up the day job……

VANECAM Sun 25-Jan-26 11:39:34

Well that filled a gap in my Sunday morning.
Onto the next one.
Good luck with the writing.

Allira Sun 25-Jan-26 10:54:44

Crete is Greece. wink
Shirley went to Mykonos, I think.

Do you think Tom Conti is still there? I might go myself, although I suppose he is what you might term 'elderly' now.

eazybee Sun 25-Jan-26 10:44:36

Was it Greece or Crete Shirley Valentine went to ?

That story has already been written.

JamesandJon33 Sun 25-Jan-26 10:43:33

Storm in a teacup.

Lathyrus3 Sun 25-Jan-26 10:28:00

Oh well, I didn’t have anything much else to do . It’s been horrible weather…….

Allira Sun 25-Jan-26 10:07:01

LucyAnna5

ClareAB

David49

I really cant comment on your situation, only you can decide what is tolerable and what isnt, I remarried 3 yrs ago and will recount my wifes story
She divorced her husband at 60, we had a few dates, curiously I asked why she left, "we did nothing together and I havnt had a cuddle for 10 yrs". That sounds pretty grim to me, so we make sure we cuddle a lot and we share a lot of common interests.

My only comment on a month in Crete is " absence makes the heart wander", it sounds like you are well on the way to separate lives already.

'I can't comment' yet you did. Im so happy for you in your smug contentment.

Rather unpleasant

It is, isn't it!

I do think now that this is one of those unbelievable stories because it seems to be not credible, then, when advice is given, the OP turn on posters.

It happens and we waste our time.

Allira Sun 25-Jan-26 10:03:31

Goodness, that must have taken a bit of searching!
Do you have a link, please?

ClareAB Sun 25-Jan-26 00:59:14

I've just googled Gransnet. The reviews state they're great for pension advice, but tend to pile on posters who ask for emotional support in complex situations in relationships. And this has proved the point.

David49 Sat 24-Jan-26 19:33:12

SORES

VERY unpleasant !
after David49 shared

Clare - perhaps you could take this sorry tale of yours
over to Mumsnet, see what the barracuddas decide ?!

I know exactly what the barracudas on Mumsnet will say. LTB
Leave the Bastard.
We often only hear one side of the story, your comment tell a lot about the other side, maybe something you said put him off.