Getting more out of life

Bijou

When my husband died I was 63 and after redecorating and renovating the furniture after the bungalow which had been let for twelve years whilst we were abroad I booked a coach tour holiday to Italy . Enjoyed it so much because everyone was so friendly because I was alone that for the next twenty years I went three times a year all over Europe.

Hi Bijou.. would you mind saying which travel company you used for the coach tour in Italy please

I wondered if you liked gardening , and know a little bit about it? You might find either someone who finds their garden too much for them now, where you could go and help a bit in the garden or take over a bit to grow what you like. A local allotment area also might have some possibilities. If that appeals at all you could put up a card in a supermarket or contact the gardening society locally. You could write things down to explain at first and then hopefully you would get to know people and have something in common with them. We have a church here that has a garden where volunteers go once a week and do various jobs and have coffee together and take their sandwiches etc. I dont know how fit you are, if you would cope with the bending etc. If you are a national trust member and have a property near you , that is another place where they are pleased to have volunteers and there are a variety of different jobs , so again I see that chance to help in the garden so that you got some fresh air and satisfaction of seeing something improve , without trying to struggle with talking too much in the beginnning. Do you have a clean driving license? There are often volunteers needed , for example meals on wheels, or delivering library books etc Were you involved with brownies or cubs or guides etc? I hope that something here strikes a chord with you or leads you on to think of something else. I would love to hear if any of this is helpful and wish you good luck and keep up with restless at least we can be in touch with each other.

Please could you explain what you mean by a hosting job? Thank you.

Hi Bijou, may I ask which coach tour company you would recommend? I like the idea of doing a trip by coach to Europe but like someone to recommend a good company. Thank you

What great comments. Loving the positively from everyone. Retirement on the horizon for me and enjoying so many of your ideas for life after work.

While on holiday in Kuala Lumpur a few years ago we met a lovely couple in their sixties who were travelling the world as house sitters. They specialised in long lets. Their base was in Australia and they were on their way to a house sitting job in USA. They regaled us with tales of the ups and downs of their last few years. I was quite taken with the idea but having the responsibility for beloved pets was a bit off putting. I think if we'd been younger we might have seriously considered it.

I recently met my nephew's new partner; she is a teach-on-call in western Australia and she has been living in house-sits for the last few years. She also tries to get longer term, and says after the first week she is settled in and comfortable.

I think it is a great way to travel. I see many house-sits involve animals, so that has to be taken into consideration, but if you are an animal lover it can be a great opportunity.

Thanks for giving me food for thought. House sitting is something I have never thought about, but if it helps me complete my bucket list I'd be thrilled.
Best of luck !!

rowyn

PS
I tried to reproduce LizIlkeston's message above my comment, but failed. Could someone tell me how it's done, for future reference?

rowyn
Press Quote (on the horizontal grey bar at the start of the person's message). Then just start typing your message....

THANKS VBOOO

I'd love to do that. Sadly my husband won't consider it 😕

Hetty58

LizIlkeston (the travel 'hosing' made me laugh) I too, am struggling to understand the 'huge sense of loss'. They are not your children, so your family 'mothering' duties are done. I'm glad you have other things planned. I've never felt 'loss', only huge relief when my four kids finally left, when my grandson went to live with his mother - and when I was free to get on with other interests. Maybe that's because I did a lot of childcare during my life, so occasional babysitting is quite enough for me.

Just out of interest Hetty58....how far away from you do your GC live?? 10 miles.?..100 miles?.....500 miles?? ....or thousands of miles? ?....And I'm sure OP is not only missing her grandchild...but also her child....I find it hard to see how someone with any empathy at all, would 'struggle to understand someone's sense of loss' 🙄

.

Thank you #Madeleine 45, I hadn't thought about library books, I will definitely look into it. I'm a bit creaky for gardening, sadly.

Such a positive post, good for you! Yes I miss family as mine live abroad, although grandchildren are here tbey are often with the paternal grandparents. So I keep busy with groups ect. You have really done something exciting though, so much better than sitting in and dwelling on situation. Best of luck I’m sure you’ll have lots of adventures and fun

tattygran14

Has anyone any suggestions for me to volunteer, as I'm extremely hard of hearing.
It's very isolating as I'm unable to telephone, even face to face chat is difficult.
I'm hoping for a cochlear implant, but it's taking ages. Any ideas? I did reception at CAB, and was a volunteer hospital driver before my hearing deteriorated drastically.

I wonder if you could learn signing to help you ...and then look into mentoring for young deaf children. A family with a deaf child. In a school. I know that deaf children benefit from communicating with other deaf people and the generation mixing is a bonus? Turn the deafness into an opportunity? I'm increasingly deaf so I do understand to some extent x

Congratulations Lizlikeston- you must be so pleased with yourself for taking the initiative and putting yourself out there; very well done indeed and thankyou for sharing.
While some of us might not have the freedom to do what you're doing you have made us start to ponder what new experiences we could be enjoying
Wishing you lots of joy.
You are an inspiring lady 💐

I know someone who completely changed when she joined a yummy mummy's group. She dictated to everyone what they should eat, say, feel, drink and how they should behave and became very judgmental of other people who did not follow her beliefs. What she did not pay attention to were her own serious weaknesses (won't say anymore) that impacted her children's lives far more than her 'woke' brainwashing by the group.

What IS a yummy mummy's group please?

faye17

What IS a yummy mummy's group please?

I am so sorry this should have been posted to another section. It is my darned eyesight playing up again.

It's like a courier except you're not in the resort for the season. I meet guests at the airport and then ensure their holiday is enjoyable, help book trips, sort problems with hotel, provide info in resort and area. I eat with the group breakfast and dinner.
Some time off every day but contactable for anything urgent.

Good for you!

One of my friends used to be a house sitter til covid hit. She has talked about going back to it.

You dont make a huge amount of money but its a good way for seeing different parts of the country (or other countries if you do it abroad) and also experiencing how "the other half" live. My friend has done some very grand homes.

I would advise doing thorough research beforehand and joining up with some of the websites. Many owners want you to look after their pets so you need to love animals. Sadly my friend had a much loved dog die on her - she was dreadfully upset. He was very old and had a heart condition but it was still a shock. Fortunately she had the number of an emergency vet and he dealt with everything.

You need to be a good combination of a "people pleaser" and assertive as well.

Biglouis.
Yes I'm registered with Housesitters UK and check out possible jobs carefully. I always get the vet details and info on any health conditions. I stick to dogs and cats, chickens which I'm confident with.
I don't get paid but free accommodation and bills in a nice area is reward enough or I'd be very limited in holidays.

Housesitters UK. In Australia Mindahome. Just Google housesitting jobs and you'll have a good choice.

Be aware that many of these contracts specify that the home can only be left empty for X hours a day, so you may not be able to just go off and explore the countryside. This is to cover for animals being fed and exercised and also the security aspect of the house appearing to be "occupied"

House sitting is great if you have some kind of hobby or occupation like writing, reading, studying for a degree etc. You will have plenty of time to do it. There may also be restrictions on using certain parts of the house (which may be locked) of on having your own visitors stay.