Six months to go...

kidmugsy

Gers wrote: »

Perhaps there is a place with a balance?

Nelson, northern end of South Island NZ. Bliss.

Gers

I liked the climate in Tasmania, but here on a clear day I have a wonderful view of Jura and on a cloudy day I have to resort to looking at the picture of it on my bottle of 'superspition'. Both grand options.

Gers

Thought I'd do a update - a year and a bit on from the last post.

I did a quick trip in August to very sunny Brisbane for the 30th birthday of my youngest nephew. It was a surprise party and I was the main surprise. I found it gratifying that he cried tears of joy when he saw me.

In early April I had to do another trip, this time to Melbourne, though it was for the funeral of the eldest Australian nephew who was found dead in his bed aged 34 years. More tears but not of joy this time.

However, in general my early retirement is turning out really well, I'm so pleased I made the leap. I've picked up two part time jobs and one casual one which keeps my mind active and my skills up to date. I can please myself more or less, money is coming in and I feel secure with that and my occupational pension. State pension still three years away but I'm doing nicely without it so far. I was able to fly to Australia both times upstairs on the airplane without any guilt at all. One of my fellow passengers showed me an email from one of his family which was a picture of a sign saying 'fly first class otherwise your heirs will'.

All the advice here was great and I can only recommend early retirement if it's financially available.

Jura still appears every morning if the cloud base allows it and it's a continuing joy.

madeinireland_2

Good to hear things are going well - I hope to be joining you in retirement sometime in the next few months - just waiting for my next company voluntary redundancy scheme.