Just joined so I'm introducing myself.
Watch this postI will be 67 next month and retired from the many different jobs in my working life. I guess that I didn’t ever find my calling. I went to university at age 59 but when it was over it was too late to launch a new career. I wanted to lecture but students don’t want to listen to old fogies, so sadly I put aside that idea and settled into life as an eccentric dog owner.
I live in a beautiful Lancashire valley surrounded by hills that demand they be walked/climbed, how could I refuse?
I would like to do a bit of cycle touring but a recent diagnosis of spondylosis and some hip pain means that I may not be doing a world tour anytime soon!
I’m keen to make some friends as I have been on my own for a very long time now, my daughters don’t bother much with me and I don’t have a partner.I didn’t expect to be so isolated at this time in my life, isn’t it strange the way family and friends seem to forget us when we get past 60?
I will pop in regularly and hope to strike up some friendships.
Community Terms & Conditions
Content standards
These content standards apply to any and all material which you contribute to our site (contributions), and to any interactive services associated with it.
You must comply with the spirit of the following standards as well as the letter. The standards apply to each part of any contribution as well as to its whole.
Contributions must:
be accurate (where they state facts); be genuinely held (where they state opinions); and comply with applicable law in the UK and in any country from which they are posted.
Contributions must not:
contain any material which is defamatory of any person; or contain any material which is obscene, offensive, hateful or inflammatory; or promote sexually explicit material; or promote violence; promote discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; or infringe any copyright, database right or trade mark of any other person; or be likely to deceive any person; or be made in breach of any legal duty owed to a third party, such as a contractual duty or a duty of confidence; or promote any illegal activity; or be threatening, abuse or invade another’s privacy, or cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety; or be likely to harass, upset, embarrass, alarm or annoy any other person; or be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person; or give the impression that they emanate from us, if this is not the case; or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act such as (by way of example only) copyright infringement or computer misuse.
Nurturing a safe environment
Our Silversurfers community is designed to foster friendships, based on trust, honesty, integrity and loyalty and is underpinned by these values.
We don't tolerate swearing, and reserve the right to remove any posts which we feel may offend others... let's keep it friendly!
I just joined the site within the last hour. I was taken aback when yours was the first comment I read. Namely because I am the same age, have a similar living situation (albeit mine is in North Yorkshire near Thirsk, I have two daughters who haven't bothered me for years due to blaming me for the marriage breakup and I have had a distant relative of spondylosis since my late 20s (fortunately controlled by 3 to 5 monthly treatments (my MOT/service as I like to call it) by a cranial osteopath wherever I have lived in the country which has let me keep cycling and hill walking - within reason for over 30 years - God bless them!
My partner of 7 years left a few months ago when he and I had to acknowledge it had run out of steam as he wanted to sit on a sofa and I wanted to keep on being out and about in the countryside. Having said that, I am finding the loneliness soul destroying. I could try to blame lock down, which hasn't helped, but the truth is I just don't have friends who stay in touch - except my best friend from school days but she is in Cornwall - mostly due to my changing jobs, countries, homes more times than I don't know what.
I'm trying to move as cannot afford to run this big farmhouse on my own but cannot decide where to, etc. I love the northern hills so reluctant to live anywhere flat. I'm not a city person. I've taken a temp job just helping out in the local Holland and Barrett shop for a few weeks part time to get me out of the house - my two budgies and I have run out of conversation and the fish in the small aquarium aren't much company. I am desperate to get a dog again, mine died 18 months ago and ex would not let me get another one as we both worked full time. Landlady will insist it is kept outside but I will find way around it for a few weeks until I can leave when lock down is lifted as need to have the company of a dog again very quickly before I climb the walls completely. I am a volunteer dog walker with the Cinnamon Trust as just got an assignment to walk a collie each day whilst the owner recovers from an op so at least I have a lead in my hand again each day and she is lovely. Tell me more about your 4 legged friends when you have chance please.
Bye for now
Christine
Hi Yorkshire lass I hope you are still doing your volunteer dog walking and enjoying walking the Collie! I hope things are improving for you.
Hi Tricia 2756 I notice you said you work from home. I also work from home and like you, think I am glad it may now be a permanent option but think it is less social and I am sure it is good for us to pop out to the office and see people more, face to face. Very strange times don't you think? I agree the rain this week is putting the dampers on things and looking forward to the sun coming out again. Today has been a better day!
It looks like the post from Cetwich is from 5 years ago but it appears at the beginning of the thread. I am not sure she is still on the site according to some others. I saw your post and I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I am new to the site too. Lockdown has affected everyone's life in some way and is making us look at our lives. I have been through bereavement a few times and it is difficult. The lockdown and crisis has affected us being able to see people face to face and to go out in the ways we used to. Maybe you would like to chat sometime.
I'm new on here and just finding time to have a look around...
Read your post and can truly sympathise. I have a somewhat different viewpoint
of being 'old' ....you become invisible ! ...and yes, family certainly do seem to forget
us as we age |(or certainly seem to want to).
I would love to chat if you'd care to ...
p.s....Celtwitch ? ...tell me more.
Celtwitch disappeared from the site quite a while ago but there are plenty more people to chat to. I notice that you are from Scotland - whereabouts? I love coming up to Scotland and have always felt a particular affinity with the Dumfries & Galloway area so it was no surprise, when researching my family tree, to find that many of my ancestors lived there (Kirkinner, Newton Stewart).
Carole 🙂
sign off now.
Carobyloch
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
If you're still looking for new pen pals, I would be very interested in exchanging emails with you. I'm a man in his mid-seventies living alone here in Colorado, US, and I would enjoy chatting with you about anything that interests you. Having worked very briefly in Surrey several years ago, I became an incurable anglophile in search of anything English or Scottish or Welsh or Irish. (My ancestors on my father's side came here from Scotland a long time ago.) Your thoughts on current situations, travel, politics, history, religion, personal lifestyle, animals, and the like would certainly be enjoyable.
Joe
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
exchange views with you on various subjects. Probably best if we don't
comment on current respective leaders though !!
Yes, I do live next to the sea on West Coast of Scotland - both my parents were Scottish, but I was born and brought up in Yorkshire..... (o.k.a. Gods own country). Don't suppose you've heard of that though, being from the states.
So......Colorado ? You'll have to tell me more, never been, although have been to few states over there. Been several times to Chicago to stay with friend I met in Turkey (we were both friends with same Turkish friend). Been to Florida, very briefly, also New York, New Jersey, Iowa, Los Angeles, Michigan, oh, musn't forget Hawaii of course.
Will try to be brief now, as who knows, you may be getting lots of new mails!
Can assure you where I live is NOTHING like Surrey, although suppose they
both bring a lot their individual beauty to the U.K.
Tell me, whereabouts did your ancestors come from in Scotland....what was their name? There are old clan maps available that show which area of
Scotland certain names come from, but suppose you know that anyhow.
Well, would certainly love to exchange views, as you say, but you might have received lots of mail, so won't keep you any longer reading mine.
Would love to hear more from you.......bye for now.....
Carol.
Thank you for replying! It was a long shot that you might be interested, but learning all about you and your background and travels sounds really exciting. I hope I can offer enough in return to keep you interested because I have thousands of questions about what you think on so many things.
But first, something you said spurred an old memory and I burst out laughing: you mentioned meeting a friend in Turkey, with a Turkish friend in common, and then visiting your friend in Chicago. Do you remember the old James Bond 007 movie, From Russia with Love? In it, Bond's sidekick captures one of the Russian bad guys, ties him up, and then questions him: " So your mother wasn't Turkish. What a coincidence! My mother wasn't Turkish either!" That was funny! Just wanted to share it. : )
So, I worked briefly in Guildford and Redhill, BUT also in Izmir (Smyrna), and my mother isn't Turkish either. : ) Sorry, I'll quit being dumb. My job also took me to Egypt and Norway and Argentina and Dublin and Montreal and lots of US cities. Eritrea was also in the plans, but Ethiopia was bombing the airport at the time, so that got scrubbed. But I was never involved in any projects in Asia.
My gosh, you have traveled a lot in the US! You probably know more about this country than I do. I would really love to know what you think about those places. Most of them are among the 'good' places here, I feel.
Perhaps we could send emails from our own accounts to each other to keep our discussion less public, if that works well for you too. I guess the private chat allows messages so we can send email addresses? Do you know how that works?
I really look forward to talking more about your travels and Scotland and other questions you asked that I didn't answer in this message. This is a lot of fun!
Joe
PS. Since you lived in Yorkshire, are you considered a 'Geordie'?
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
The coronavirus has been hard on everyone. If you ever want to chat let me know. I am 52 and work in a public library in northern Illinois. I have a maltipom and three grown sons. My husband is an architect.
Take care of yourself,
Ali
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
Saw your mail when browsing through, would love to chat if you're agreeable.
I live on West Coast of Scotland, overlooking the sea - beautiful on good days
but we haven't been getting many of them lately !
Been to Chicago several times over the years to visit friend there...nice city !
I think its best at night, very beautiful with the skyscrapers all lit up. Had some
good times there.
Do feel free to respond, if you care to.........
Carol.
Is it impossible to remove this old post from celt witch....? Retaining it makes the site look SLOPPY.
I am also a senior (older young person) and I live in Chatsworth GA. I went to college at Brenau University. Loved the area.
I had an Auntie who lived in Albuquerque. She moved there as a young woman having married an American Serviceman she met in the UK unfortunately I lost touch with her many years ago after her Brother, my Father, passed away.
I'm a British ex pat living in Spain and I too have an elderly dog Simba, he's a mastiff x labrador and 13 now . Get in touch if you fancy a chat.
Stay safe Simbadog
I am also new to silversurfers and I joined to meet new people and enjoy the general chit chat friendship. I am 66 and retired from my work some 18 months ago.
I am finding however that retirement is not all what it’s meant to be as the literature says.
After reading some of the comments here regarding family, I can almost resonate with a lot of that.
It would probably help if I mention that I live in Sydney, Australia and I the youngest son of immigrants that travelled here from Europe seeking a better life after world war 2.
I hope to meet some friends through chatting.
I’ve noticed some of these comments date back quite some time anyhow I hope to hear from someone as I will pop in every now and again.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I hope this finds you in good health. I know there is a time difference, lol
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I'm a night bird after 25 years of working nights can't seem to get my body clock to work properly.
Hopefully we will be accepted on here, we don't have radical views but I am classed as a gruppy old man by our 5 grandchildren and I am British and quite proud of it.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I am also new on here and also going to enjoy general chit chat friendship. I am also 60. I agree with your comment about family and some friends forgetting about you once you reach 60. Hope you meet some friends on here even just chatting helps.
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
On Virgin Radio a couple of months ago someone said "you live every day & only die once" so I am trying to make this my mantra & learn something new every day. I have only just started reaching out via social media & found this so here goes.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
No-one gets out alive*
A friend Bernie used to quote this, he in turn got it from a work colleague (who is no longer) but I don't know who's quote it was originally. I shall have to look it up.
But it's good to have plans and that will 'keep you going'
I don't envy your current situation. I had a similar experience (but without the lockdown) that lasted for 3 months. It was bad enough. It's better to be amicable but some have no choice.
Remember, it's not a dress rehearsal.......
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
Similar happened to me. Partner left out of the blue. I decided to wait 3 months before deciding what I would do next and where. I've no family left and my best friend is in Cornwall so I can go wherever too. Decided on a move to another part of the Yorkshire Dales for a while by renting a mobile home for a while, started selling off furniture as much smaller place and bang came down the portcullis on moving, the caravan site closed and on the temp job I was doing for a few months.
I found another temp job part time for a few weeks to get me out of the house but otherwise completely stuck in limbo and very frustrated that is the situ so you have my sympathy for sure.
Christine
It’s getting rather boring now & lonely for me, even though I have many friends & family they all seem busy. I’m from the South East & being in total isolation isn’t much fun after 11 weeks!
I must admit I have being doing more gardening! & listening to some old vinyls of my mums! & anything to relieve the boredom!
Stay safe
Yes I am starting to formulate some plans and who knows I may find a like-minded person to share them with.
It's good to know that people like yourself do read these messages which is comforting when you feel alone & future prospects are daunting however I am well aware there are many a lot worse off.
My mantra (not mine of course) is "you live every day & only die once.
Yes I agree you have to believe to make things happen.
Hope all is well with you & you stay safe & happy.
Thanks for your response & please accept my apologies for my late reply only the notifications of messages were in a folder in my be Gmail account that I was not aware of.
So sorry to hear of your situation with your partner & job situation.
Lockdown hasn't been easy for anyone that's for sure but hopefully, it has given you some time to consider what you want out of life for yourself in the coming years, and perhaps while pursuing those activities you may meet a person with the same interests. If not at least you are pleasing yourself rather than conforming to someone else's wishes/demands.
It is comforting to know that there are other people on this site who take the time to express their views which is also very encouraging. Stay positive, the sun is shining more & lockdown is easing.
Perhaps plan a short break away in the not so distant future to give yourself something to look forward to.
Because I read you play the harmonica I wanted to send you a music link. You can check out the harmonica on this .
I saw these live a few years ago in Dorset. The singer told a tale of when Bob Dylan visited Woody Guthrie "the dust bowl Troubadour") when he had Parkinson's disease and was in a Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey.
It was their first meeting and Guthrie gave Dylan a card with the words "I ain't dead yet" on it.
This song is inspired by this event..
I Ain't Dead Yet - Giles Robson and the Dirty Aces. They play the blues circuits here and abroad and I had the best kind of night! I have posted this elsewhere on the music threads but you probably haven't navigated yet.
Cheers
Bees
Might help if I gave you the link
https://youtu.be/8OEwoleduU8
Yes it is a job to stay positive although I understand many people are keeping in touch & having fun with family & friends through skype/zoom calls although I haven't to date.
As I have a number of interests which in a normal situation especially when I'm working, I don't really have much time for, so what I find works for me is to write down what I want to do the next day & try to mix it up a little so I get some variety for example 2 hours sitting in the sun reading (trying to learn Spanish) then have a 15 minute break then play some guitar or keyboards for a couple of hours, have some lunch, more reading or housework for an hour or two, then do some exercise sorta basic yoga-type stretching with controlled breathing then go for a brisk walk or jog.
Have some tea & get online for a while, play some more music & later about 9 or so watch some TV supping a beer,
It is rewarding to see the progress you can make at a learning type activity which is encouraging & also quite relaxing.
Hang in there better days are on the horizon for us all.
I am an ex-drummer just learning harmonica which is very good for my breathing (heavy ex-smoker unfortunately) & have only in the last few months started using youtube for tutorials which is so much better than reading from a book.
Although I do appreciate what a legend Bob Dylan is there is quite a lot of his material that I am not that keen on however hos album " Desire" is, in my opinion, outstanding as is "Rumours " Fleetwood Mac & "Love & Affection" Joan Armatrading, amongst others.
Do you play an instrument at all or just a fan of good music? Singing & dancing is so good for the soul.
I don't think you can count Piano stage 1 as being musical...(I still have nightmares about that exam!) Having a Grandmother wave a £5 note in bribery was the start to my lessons. My older brother had very same bribe but got out quicker than I.
Of course now I regret not sticking to it. I regret also not having our piano anymore (Could've pretended to be Carole King or someone)
Joan Armatrading I can really listen to (fellow Brummie.....tho' I have lived on Dorset long time?) Everyone on earth had a copy of Rumours and grew up with it but I am a Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac fan...true to the roots.....
https://youtu.be/O8RhZDGLEXM
Oh Well
I love seeing bands. I have seen so many, I sometimes forget who. The last few people have been Neil Young at the 02( didn't like the venue),
Wilko Johnson, Robert Kray....oh Stan Webb's Chicken Shack (No Christine Perfect) Gino Washington, Climax Blues Band. All these daily locally, Frome and Salisbury...The band I have seen most of would be Jethro Tull (totalling 15 times. I have met Ian Anderson 3 times).
You must make your way to music posts such as 'Women In Music' (I just started that one) or 'Recommendations' or 'What are your tastes in Music' etc...have a nosey and tell us more.
Bees Knees
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
I live in Wisconsin, and know what your talking about with hip pain.
I just started silversurfers yesterday, so I really don't know my way around.
Please reply to me if you want.
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
Recently, the COV-19 does scare people to death.
You do variety of jobs as a temporary worker, is it for living or just to kill time?
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
I currently work for a European company that design and manufacture Medical Device.
Everything seems OK so far, but have a bit of mid-age thinking and try to figure out what life can be better in near future.
You are retired? So nice. Recently, the COV-19 does scare people to death.
Welcome and many thanks for your first comment in our Forum.
If you already know your way around, then we will leave you to it.
If you are looking for some lively discussions, head on over to the Forum homepage to see what's trending right now and feel free to join in the discussions, with all our friendly members, perhaps ask a question or even start your own post.
Pretty cat in your photo!
Welcome to the sight. I am relatively new to this. I have 2 cats one 11 months old she followed us home as a stray whilst walking our dog. We have just acquired a new kitten he's about 2 months old and again abandoned.. Luckily our aged dog doesn't mind.
I live in Menorca and love the outdoors
Please get in touch if you fancy a chat