Progress not Perfection

katsu

As a mostly lurker I wanted to pop in to say do think about the transport and the hobbies you want.  I've got relatives who can't go anywhere except by taxi as the bus stop is too far to walk and/or runs once a day.  Getting older in a rural area if you don't drive can be a real issue and could leave you more isolated so do think about the feasibility of getting to the train station to go out and see friends etc.

I don't have any interest in retiring to a place like that as I'm very familiar with visiting too-small places and I know I want to be able to get places easily and have places I would want to go.  If I had to move I would go to a bigger not smaller town!

Good luck with whatever suits you add a retirement plan. 

Sun_Addict

Thank you for all your comments. I think the best thing in my circumstances would be to live closer to the sea but in a small town with easy access, say about 30 minutes to an hour, to the coast. Then I'd still have the amenities but could get my sea fix when needed. The friend I went to see on Friday lives about an hour's train ride from the coast in a lovely bustling market town, she is equally an hour away from London if she needs a big city fix. Someone I used to work with retired to the coast and she did thorough research with lots of visits before she made the move. We used to laugh at her researching hospitals and medical facilities but realise why. 10 years later she loves it and doesn't regret her decision at all. 

It's something to think about but probably just a dream and won't come off. Mr SA's lack of mobility makes it very difficult to go anywhere or do anything that most people take for granted. 

WFH today and tomorrow. Decided to mix my office days up as Thursday will be like a Friday this week and I can do the Lid! shop I usually do on a Friday on the way home to take advantage of the discount coupons and the cheap veg.

Had a Mr M delivery this morning and managed to get the 8p carrots, swede and parsnips. 

Finishing work early today to take the dog to the vets, will be an expensive visit as she's nearly out of her meds. 

The weather has certainly changed - my fault for getting sandals out and ordering new cushions for the patio set 😆

Today's exercise will be taking the dog on the park this morning then walking to/from the vets. 

I need to sort out something for tonight's dinner but it will involve chickpeas, have a few things in mind. 

Sun_Addict

Ticked a couple of holiday things from the to do list this lunchtime. Mr SA's mobility scooter has been booked. I'd already tried a couple of companies over there and they were fully booked so was starting to think I'd left it too late. Anyway all sorted now and I took out the damage insurance for an extra €10 as Mr SA has form for damaging scooters. Last year I had to buy some superglue to glue a part back on where he crashed into a bollard - it was a brand new scooter too!

Also checked in online and downloaded the boarding passes. All that's left to do now is order and pick up the currency - a job for next week, I always leave it to the last minute just in case. 

RelievedSheff

Retiring to the coast does have its appeal. We would love to retire to Norfolk or Suffolk but when you look at it practically it realistically won't happen. The road network is terrible, getting anywhere requires a car and house prices are so much higher than where we lie now we would end up with a much smaller property.

So exciting that your holiday is coming up fast now. I'm just looking forward to the long weekend this weekend. It seems to have been a long slog from Christmas to Easter this year with no breaks!!

doingitanyway

I am like your friend SA! 
Medical care is so important as we get older. I researched our GPs and hospitals. Our local hospital is 15 minutes away by bus at the top of my road and it has an 'outstanding' CQC report. A friend moved somewhere rural and discovered the medical care is appalling.

Makingabobor2

That is one reason we won't move back to the south coast to be close to my dad and sister. The NHS down  there is appalling. The nearest hospital is actually one of the worst on England and trying to get a GP appointment is impossible for them.  I'd much rather be by the coast, but our hospitals, Dr, Dentist and all other things are excellent here.  So not sure we would move, although it is something we keep discussing.  A friend of mine has decided to up sticks and move to Spain, she is 71 and her husband a couple of years younger. I think she is very brave. They have to take out a good medical plan. But they currently live on the NE coast near Newcastle, and have fantastic facilities there.  It would certainly worry me. 

Sun_Addict

What an awful afternoon. The dog has got to have the polyp in her ear looked at under anaesthetic when we come back from holiday as it has grown significantly since the last time they saw her. They might be able to remove it or she might have to have her whole ear canal removed. They also need to test it to find out if it’s cancerous. The vet isn’t concerned about anaesthetic even though she’s 13 as she’s a JRT and is otherwise healthy with a strong heart. So we have that hanging over us for the next 3 weeks. 

Got home, Mr SA went for a shower and I heard the most almighty crash. He’s slipped in the shower and can’t get up. So we are now waiting for an ambulance which will take up to 8 hours. 

peb

Oh no, what a day. 🤗

foxgloves

Oh no, so sorry to hear that. Hope Mr SA is ok. I wouldn't be able to lift Mr F up if he fell & in any case, I know it's not always a good idea to move people in case they'te injured. I do hope it won't be 8 hours. Fingers crossed here that they get to you much sooner than that.
F

ladyholly

Do you by any chance have a small stable step ladder that he could climb up in stages. If you have make sure you hold on to it so it doesn't move. Just a thought. I hope you don't have to wait 8hours and I hope he isn't hurt 
I concur with foxgloves, never try to move someone who has fallen. You can injure both the person and yourself.