Way back in February 2020 as I approached my 59th birthday, I started to contemplate how I could celebrate the next big birthday. After a suggestion from the Bestie, and with her help, I compiled a list of things I’d like to experience as I started the countdown to the big 60.
Little did we know that within a month, the World would come to a grinding halt, and we would be confined to our own little spaces, interacting with extended family and friends by the magic of “zoom”. We spent the next year, emerging and re entering lockdown and as the ‘big day’ arrived we were once again confined to quarters 🙄, although by then we had an addition to our household, with our eldest daughter having become part of our ‘bubble’. With a multigenerational household of 10, my birthday was never going to pass without celebrating. However I wasn’t quite prepared for the effort, they and other family and friends had gone to to make it such a lovely day.
By November of 2021, having fulfilled just a few of my wishes, I contemplated abandoning my Countdown list, but then thought, maybe I should not only extend the list, but extend the timescale until my next significant birthday 65. And so my 60’s Countdown became a Countdown to 65.
Now as I approach my 62nd birthday, 🤦♀️ and we are free to travel far and wide, to once again explore and experience life to the full, I have been lucky enough, with a little help from friends and family, to slowly start ticking off my wishes 🍀
Over the past 12 months I have been fortunate enough to experience 8 of those hopes, which I have shared with you, together with 3, shall we say more personal, less blog worthy ideas.
Countdown to 65 – blogged
16 – Try Sushi ✅
22 – Visit Bletchley Park ✅
32 – Visit Portmeirion Village ✅
33 – Have an Oggi in St Davids ✅
39 – Revisit Warwickshire ✅
42 – Take another tour of Wales ✅
47 – Get out on our bikes ✅
62 – See Vesuvius & Find Pompeii ✅
I have also enjoyed:-
49 – The odd date night – with the hubby, escaping the mayhem that is our household and finding time to talk to each other, uninterrupted 🤣
52 – Walking more – Restrictions found us exploring more of our local area for long walks, initially just the two of us and when allowed with the Besties. The hubby and I often walk 5 miles along our promenade to get a bit of fresh , sea air alongside the exercise.
Once every month I also enjoy a walk and catch up with girlfriends. It’s usually at a more leisurely pace than with the hubby, otherwise we wouldn’t be able to natter so much 🤣
Most of our walking has, over the last year, been around our many wonderful National Trust visits and our several city breaks with friends. These lovely trips have certainly increased the old step count alongside the smiles 😊
55 – Trying out a new hairstyle. – The initial lockdown enforced a longer flow, however it was a bit unruly, so I had it chopped as soon as was possible. Although I had quite a bit taken off, I kept it longer for a few months, but decided to revert to my old easy to manage style when we started venturing away on holiday. I have recently though decided to try again, with a longer albeit choppier style. The trouble with my hair is it grows so so quickly and I’m finding myself having to visit my hairdresser every three weeks to keep it in check 😁. But I think I’m going to persevere for at least a wee while longer.
What a lucky 🍀 lady I have been, 2 years on from my 60th birthday, 26 of my 65 wishes have been ticked off, just 39 remaining. With a little help from my family and friends, I’m hopeful I can experience a few more 🤞
We are fortunate to already have one City on my list, booked for 2023 and the possibility later in the year to maybe tick off a further 5 wishes.
As the Bestie also hits the BIG 60 in a few days, I’m sure the coming year will include a few more fabulous adventures.
The Retirement Journey has reignited.
🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂