After two months of throwing ideas into the cauldron, combining them, which stirred up other thoughts to be dropped into the mix, we have had a very positive week.

Hastings week kicked off with a trip to the classic car show. Very close to my hubby’s heart. All shiny bumpers and polished leather seats, huge bonnets and shining engines. Unfortunately it was a bit miserable and wet and the show was very diminished and quiet. Most of the exhibitors were huddled in their beautiful cars, sheltering from the weather. Such a pity.

We had a quick look before heading along the prom to meet friends joining us for the amazing local Oktoberfest. Morris dancers and a pole dancer kicked off proceedings, whilst the crowd commenced their drinking fest. Then the Oompah band got the crowd going with their take on a lot of popular songs. Brass instruments and lots of crowd participation. The beer was flowing in large steins 🍻 and there were plenty of locals in Bavarian dress and men in lederhosen, sharing their knackwurst.

The evening was rounded off by brilliant local band MT Vessels, non stop for two hours of music and dancing. If this is just a taster of how the Germans celebrate, a trip to the home of bratwurst may well be on the cards. Maybe not next year, but it’s definitely in the plan.

The week continued at great speed. Friends bought my hubby an annual membership to the local theatre 🎭 for his birthday. So we have started to enjoy the benefits by going to see the fabulous Lulu on Tuesday. The auditorium was a sea of silver hair. Not much dancing in the aisles, more swinging in their seats. But what a show and what energy. She certainly showed us pensioners how to rock .

Hastings week continued on Wednesday with a lovely meal at The New Inn Westfield, who were continuing the traditional Hastings Week, two meals for the princely sum of £10.66. Good menu and lovely atmosphere. Got to love a bargain. Fantastic evening spent with our long time friends and travelling companions, discussing life and future plans.

We still have a couple of long weekends to enjoy this year and 2018 is already starting to fill up. Us two ladies have our birthdays within a week of each other in February and we are hoping to spend some time on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. We are looking to visit the war cemetery at Monte Cassino, to pay our respects to those brave young men, especially our friend’s Grandfather, who is resting in the cemetery. Then there’s Pompeii, Naples and Sorrento where you can pop over to the island of Capri. We may even get to see the magnificent view from the top of Vesuvius.  Bellissimo

The four of us are like minded in respect of the benefits of a camper van. Rather than go headlong into buying one, we are planning to hire one between us towards the end of April or early May and maybe head up to North Wales and/or Scotland. We can experience the freedom of the road, decide whether us girls are comfortable driving the beast, coping with living in a confined space and how to hook up to the facilities on a camp site. It will give us an insight into the equipment we would need to purchase, the storage facilities we might need and whether it is something that we think the Grandkids might enjoy with us. We may even have purchased our cycles by that time and can take them along for the ride too, together with the walking boots and waterproofs for trekking in the hills.

We have also discussed a world cruise 🚢 . As most world trips leave the U.K. in January, 2018 is a little too soon to get organised for, and our travel buddies need to be around early 2019 to help plan their daughters wedding, even if it is just to hand over the cheques 💵 💰 😂😂. So we are going to spend some time planning where we would like to visit and research lots of cruise companies to find the best option for us and head off either in 2020 when we would be reaching our Ruby wedding anniversary or 2021 to celebrate three of our 60th birthdays.

This week we’ve also managed to squeeze in a trip to watch the film Gifted, take a tissue if you go to watch, at the over 55’s cinema . Such a bargain for us thrifty retirees at £3 a showing, including a huge cup of tea or coffee and a bickie.

Then tonight, we’re back to the theatre to see an ELO tribute band. Here’s hoping for another rocking evening.

Lastly tomorrow evening brings the finale to Hastings week, with the bonfire boys procession and fireworks 💥 🔥.

Phew!!!!

Loving retirement and so so much to look forward to in the coming months and years.