Gransnet forums

Sponsored discussions

   Please note: This topic is for discussions paid for by Gransnet clients. If you'd like to have your own paid for discussion thread, please feel free to mail us at [email protected]. If you are a journalist, start-up or student and you want to request feedback from gransnetters, please post in Media Requests.

Share how you spend your spare time with McCarthy and Stone - £100 voucher to be won

(407 Posts)
LucyBGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 01-Sept-20 10:12:11

We all know the blissful feeling of having a spare hour or two of precious me-time to do the things that make us feel good. While some might feel productive and get a few tasks done around the house, others may prefer to cook up a storm in the kitchen, have a coffee and a cake with friends or just do nothing in peace and quiet. With this in mind, McCarthy and Stone would like to know how you like to spend your spare time.

Here’s what McCarthy & Stone have to say: “At McCarthy & Stone we offer much more than bricks and mortar, we offer a lifestyle, somewhere you can feel safe and secure, make friends and socialise, enjoy the outdoors and have easy access to local amenities like shops, pubs and restaurants. From rural retreats and seaside living, to vibrant city centres and tranquil suburbs, our developments offer something for every taste.

With over 40 years’ experience of building tight-knit retirement communities, you can be confident that we can help find the perfect environment for you. Right now we’re offering to pay up to 100% of your service charge for up to 8 years* or give you 2 months’ rent free* on selected properties, don’t miss out this is a strictly time limited offer.”

*Terms and conditions apply

So, we are asking you: How do you love using your spare time? Do you prefer to keep an active mind and body, or prefer to indulge in leisurely activities to relax? Perhaps you love to go out in nature or maybe you prefer to wander around the high street and visit your favourite shops and restaurants nearby? Is there plenty of choice of things to do to occupy your spare time where you live? How important is it to you to be near to family and friends, and how do you share your spare time with them?

Whatever you do to keep yourself busy when you’ve got a spare hour or two, share on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky Gransnetter will win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
GNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

stewaris Sun 06-Sept-20 15:05:32

Gardening, beekeeping and reading. I love the bees . The buzz from the hive when I open it is very soothing and the girls are very gentle.

angela121262 Sun 06-Sept-20 15:06:12

I like to read books and keep up with the news and do crosswords

Michelleoliver Sun 06-Sept-20 15:09:46

I love participating in Yoga and meditation it clears my mind and has opened up many friendships from the classes I attend. Since lockdown has eased I have been attending a couple of yoga sessions in the instructors garden. We have been so lucky with the weather this year!!

Claire11 Sun 06-Sept-20 15:14:38

I love cooking. Cleaning, reading and spending time with my family

Misslayed Sun 06-Sept-20 15:19:12

Going back to bed for a 'lie down' in the afternoon ?

grannydarkhair Sun 06-Sept-20 15:21:07

Reading, with a pot of tea to hand. Watching DVDs, especially box-sets. YouTube, can spend hours going from one thing to another. Crosswords. Logic Puzzle magazines. Other word puzzles, e.g. Only Connect. Competitions. Family and friends, unfortunately not a lot of that over the last few months.

flamingtoaster Sun 06-Sept-20 15:31:19

During lockdown my husband and I started doing exercise videos on YouTube and we're continuing with that any day we do not manage to get out for a long walk in the local park. In previous years we have been bodyboarding but because no-one will categorically say you can't get Covid-19 from sea water we haven't bodyboarded this year (the issue is that you can trace Covid-19 in sewage which sometimes ends up in the sea particularly in times of lots of rain). We also do gardening, catch up with family and friends on Facebook and Skype - and socially distanced meetings, read, watch favourite Sci-Fi series, etc.

amsquared Sun 06-Sept-20 15:31:45

Genealogy for myself, family and friends I can get so absorbed in my research that I lose track of time and its 2am and I'm talking to somebody in California or Australia.

Scottieboi Sun 06-Sept-20 15:34:55

I spend my free time taking my dog Archie out for walks, to play ball which he loves and taking him to the coffee shop, as Nantwich is quite dog friendly smile
Also love spending time cooking and love the finer things, including nice wines to go with the meals wine
Like to swim a few times a week, so missed this a lot during lock down. Hopefully get back to it soon.
That’s about me wink

rachelmccraith Sun 06-Sept-20 15:53:15

I love doing all sorts of arts and crafts. I'm currently making a quilt

gandalf1 Sun 06-Sept-20 15:55:46

Chilling out in the garden

jhocknull Sun 06-Sept-20 15:58:40

Gardening is a joy in my spare time. I love growing plants and flowers from seeds and cuttings when I have time. Friends and family often benefit from my over eagerness in the greenhouse as often have too many to plant in the garden.

maryandbuzz1 Sun 06-Sept-20 16:00:39

I love the outdoor life. Walking the dog and gardening are two of my favourite pastimes. I also enjoy keeping fit and reading.

Ranworth1 Sun 06-Sept-20 16:03:19

Knitting
Doing competitions
Table Tennis

Hameringham Sun 06-Sept-20 16:14:10

I am a member of a walking group and enjoy walking in the Peak District with likeminded companions. I also enjoy being labelled a “Hobby Artist” and have taken up the relatively new hobby of Rock Painting.

purpleskull Sun 06-Sept-20 16:14:22

If I get free time I'll read or do some knitting. I also like to go out for a walk locally if the weather is ok.

pennwood Sun 06-Sept-20 16:19:21

I always try to go for a local walk in my beautiful rural setting which combines exercise, and appreciation of nature, as well as social interaction as usually meet other people along the way.

beckyinman Sun 06-Sept-20 16:30:34

Baking (but not eating, trying to be good)

gd Sun 06-Sept-20 16:38:28

Walking the dogs and baking

pattiesplum Sun 06-Sept-20 16:40:31

I love baking bread, eat some ,freeze some and give lots away. Friends and neighbours have given flour, sausage rolls and plants for my garden in exchange so very lucky.

Read alot of books during lockdown too.

AndrewRodwell Sun 06-Sept-20 16:42:53

Entering internet competitions to keep my mind active, reading in local parks to connect with nature, going for long walks and in normal time going to music events and theatre.

kpdchudleigh Sun 06-Sept-20 16:44:43

I love to get out with my walking group but if at home then I can happily while away a couple of hours online. The correct answer, however, should be that I catch up with my filing!

Rowsie Sun 06-Sept-20 16:46:16

I like to go swimming and of course, during lock down I could not do this. Last week I started this again and I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to be back in the pool twice a week! It is invigorating and gives me so much energy. I have really missed it. To compensate for not doing this during lock down, I walked all around my local area. I live in London but we have so many places to walk, green chain walk and Thames path being two of them. Now I am walking AND swimming each week. For the more quiet times I like to read and also like to find competitions on line (you have to be in it to win it!)

shellywkd Sun 06-Sept-20 16:55:41

I like to unwind in the bath and put on some music and just relax

blimpy Sun 06-Sept-20 16:59:33

Reading and gardening