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Just joined so I'm introducing myself.

I 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.


Created By on 09/03/2015

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[deleted]
25th Oct 2021 14:22:34
0
Thanks for voting!
[deleted]
Response from Sally - Silversurfer's Editor made on 25th Oct 2021 15:09:10
Hi Ursula14,

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.

Response from Safariman made on 25th Oct 2021 17:05:53
Hi Ursula14, hope that you find lots of friends to chat with on this site. I
have only been a member for a few weeks but have chatted with a number of people who had replied to my posts. I expect Dublin seems
a world away from your homeland, I have been to South Africa many
times and love it there, especially Cape Town a place I keep going back
to, I think that I know it more than the town I live in now. I expect that
the house seems empty now your last child has gone off to college so
you will need to fill the void with chatting to people from all walks of
life.So good look luck, take care and stay safe, best wishes, Terry.
Response from Safariman made on 28th Oct 2021 19:19:27
Hi Ursula, thank you for your reply, this site is not so easy, so not to
worry about delay in getting back to me, I am pleased to see that
you seem to have a few replys to your original post. Sorry that you
havnt been back to Cape Town for so long, I used to go twice a year
but with the restrictions have not been back for a couple of years. I
first got to Cape Town after spending 18 weeks on a truck traveling
from Cairo to Cape Town visiting 13 countries along the way, I was
so in love with the city that I decided to go back, and the rest is
history. I usually stay in a backpackers hostel in New Church Street
in Tamberskloof called the Zebra Crossing, it's a lovely place and
very friendly toward the overland crowd. I did once take the bus
'Itercape' to Port Elizabeth along the garden route, very lovely along
there. Hope to go back to Cape Town in March or April next year, I
find that this is the best time to visit, as prices seem to go down.
Well had better finish off for now, hope you can keep in touch, take
care and stay safe, best wishes, Terry.
Response from Safariman made on 29th Oct 2021 09:42:30
Goeiemore Ursula, hoe gann dit? Dankie for your reply, sorry about
my Afrikaans, but I don't know much. I am a lot older than you(73) so
have been around longer, and I haven't had to bring up a family. I
like you, can talk for hours about Africa, not just S Africa but further
North, places like Malawi,Namibia and many more that I have had
the pleasure of visiting. I have not been to Kwa Zulu Natal, the
nearest I got was when I was in the Army at the age of 17 I was
posted to Swaziland ( now called Eswatini) and from there we had
a trip to the Kruger National Park.I would love to visit that part of
S Africa, but time is not on my side ha ha. I have not been to Dublin
or the south of Ireland, but was in the North during the troubles. I
hope that you are getting used to the different way of life there as
opposed to Cape Town. I also hope that the messages that you get
on this site take up a bit of your time, and help you through the
lonely hours now that you are on your own. Well had better finish
off for now as I have a bit of shopping to do in town (Southampton)
so will write again as long as you don't mind chatting to an older
person. Take care and stay safe, best wishes, Terry. PS just started
to rain here as well.
Response from Safariman made on 29th Oct 2021 14:00:20
Hello again Ursula, thank you for welcome reply, I have done my shopping and the rain has stopped so happy days. I have had my
lunch and a cup of tea so ready to go again. No I did not grow up
in S Africa, I was in the British Army and Swaziland was a protectorate at the time, the names of some of the country's have
changed since I visited them as a young man, Basutoland is now
call Lesotho and Bechuanaland is now called Botswana. I have been
to Botswana again to the ocavango delta in a mokoro and also took
a flight over it as well. I also love to visit Lake Malawi end enjoy watching the fishermen bringing in their catch and laying them out
to dry, the people are very poor but they are very happy with life
and very friendly.. On of my other great loves are the Victoria Falls
and I have been lucky to have seen them from the Zambian and
Zimbabwean sides, I have also sat in the Devils pool on top of the
falls, luckily it was when the flow of water going over was quite low.
When you finish full time work,would you consider going back to
live in Cape Town again? or are you planning to stay in Ireland for
Good? You see what I mean about rambling on, once I get started
off I go. Well had better finish off for now or you will get fed up with
me.So cheerio for now,take care, and thank you for your comment
about the age difference. Terry.
Response from Safariman made on 29th Oct 2021 18:30:32
Hi Ursula, me again, I said that once I was on this iPad it's hard to get
me off. I am not originally from Southampton but from Reading in
Berkshire, I am the oldest of 8 and have 4 sisters and 3 brothers all
of them still live around the area, so not too far away. I never had
children, always too busy traveling around the world in some form
or other. Your children seem to be doing well in their studies so you
must be very proud of them, and you should be proud of yourself
for bringing them up on your own, a lot of people would struggle
doing that. I am also sorry to see S Africa in such a sorry state, I have
been to Cape Town on occasions when there have been blackouts
and we had to wait for the power to come back on so we could cook
our meals. I hope that you manage to achieve your goal of buying
a home of your own,you will have earned it.I hope that these messages are helping to fill the void left since your son went back
to college, it is always nice to have a chat to someone,even if you
have never met them, you get a lot out of talking to people from all
walks of life and different cultures. I live in a one bedroom flat in a
retirement building where there are 32 flats, yet days sometimes
go by without seeing anyone,we have a lovely lounge but nobody
seems to use it I sit here using my iPad as I can't gat a signal from
my flat.well once again I had better finish off for now, have had dinner
so will go and make a cup of tea and watch a bit of tv. So will wish
you a pleasant evening, and look forward to your next instalment
Take care, Best wishes, Terry.
Response from Safariman made on 30th Oct 2021 12:53:09
Good afternoon Ursula, I hope you had a good shopping trip and not
spent all your pennies, don't forget the house ha ha. We have a lot
more rain overnight and into the early morning, but sun is now out
so feeling better. No I have been to Madagascar another on my list
of places to see, but time is running out and with these restrictions
in place I wonder if international travel will get back to normal any
time soon. Yes the Transkei sound a lovely place to spend time, but
as you know there are so many lovely places,it would be hard to get
to visit them all. We seem to be dominating this comment site as I
see that all the latest comments are from me to you or vice versa.I
was wondering if you had an e-mail address that I could write to as
it would be a lot easier and I have a couple of photos that I would
like to share with you? My e-mail address is [email protected] that you don't mind me asking. I have
nothing planned for the weekend,I have a bus pass so can get out
and visit Portsmouth or go off to Salisbury if I knew that the weather
would hold up. What part of Cape Town did you live in whilst you
we're there? I have stayed in backpackers hostels in Gardens, Green
Point and Sea Point, but not in the outskirts of the city. Well had better finish off for now, stomach is telling me to put food in, so have
a lovely day and enjoy a bit of time with your daughter. Take care,
Terry.
Scotsfemale 54
4 days ago (Last activity: 27th Mar 2024 20:51:26)
1
Thanks for voting!
Hiya, Im female 62 and live in Scotland, I know exactly how you feel. I live on my own dont have any friends and kids do their own thing.
Response from PatriciaB96 made 1 days ago
Good evening, welcome to the site , there are lots of people here and from..all walks of life , many topics you can chat about
Response from Scotsfemale 54 made 1 days ago
Thank you Patricia : -)
loulou66666
2 days ago (Last activity: 27th Mar 2024 19:58:04)
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi would love to chat Louise
Response from PatriciaB96 made 1 days ago
Good evening, I hope you will make lots of new friends here , it's a nice site,
PatriciaB96
1 days ago
0
Thanks for voting!
Good evening and welcome to the site, I hope you will make lots of new friends here
Milt1952
9th Mar 2024 20:13:34 (Last activity: 13th Mar 2024 09:15:58)
3
Thanks for voting!
I’m a 71 year old African American male and I live in Naperville, a western suburb of Chicago. I retired a few years ago and I’ve been an empty nester for over 5 years. I miss regular online interaction. I’m looking for online penpals to share email a few times a week. Making new friends is a way to ward off loneliness, and it brings a sense of joy and curiosity. Having new friends makes for a feeling of belonging which gives people satisfaction. I like living life vicariously through the daily life and experiences of others.
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 13th Mar 2024 09:15:58
Good morning and welcome to the site , I hope you will make lots of new friends here , there are many nice people here , lots to.chat about , good luck .
BBB1
22nd Feb 2024 03:20:00
0
Thanks for voting!
So sorry. Hope you feel better soon!
BBB1
22nd Feb 2024 03:19:05
0
Thanks for voting!
wonderful! best to you.
happydays75
14th Feb 2024 15:58:28 (Last activity: 19th Feb 2024 16:04:50)
0
Thanks for voting!
recently widowed age 75
Response from 2LateSmart made on 19th Feb 2024 16:04:50
Sorry for your loss. It takes time to get through it…not over it, just through it. It is said that it takes about 1/3 the number of years together for the healing process to start. So don't think that there's something wrong with you if the process takes a while it's not moribund mourning.... it's actually quite normal.
Bless you
Andree Rachele
17th Feb 2024 21:44:57 (Last activity: 19th Feb 2024 16:00:48)
2
Thanks for voting!
We'll hello ..same as me xx
Response from 2LateSmart made on 19th Feb 2024 16:00:48
I see from your posting - and so many other posts - that many people come from the UK. I, on the other hand, come from one of the colonies… America. I welcome and appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you and exchange ideas about what's going on in your world and mine. Thank you.
Chris375
17th Feb 2024 23:51:14 (Last activity: 19th Feb 2024 15:59:54)
1
Thanks for voting!
Hi, Christine from Bristol here for the first time.
Response from 2LateSmart made on 19th Feb 2024 15:59:54
I see from your posting - and so many other posts - that many people come from the UK. I, on the other hand, come from one of the colonies… America. I welcome and appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you and exchange ideas about what's going on in your world and mine. Thank you.
2LateSmart
19th Feb 2024 15:56:01
0
Thanks for voting!
I think it's been said that the Jews have a way of describing what you mentioned...a parent can raise five children but five children can not take care of one parent. Must be frustrating for you especially since it seems that you strive to do more things and better yourself. Don't waste anymore time dwelling on the past and how children have let you down when you needed them. That happens. It says more about them than it says about you. If they can turn their back on you after all the years that you've given them what will it take for them to turn their backs on their partners.
Don't give up.
StuartEngland
17th Feb 2024 09:20:17
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi, I'm Stuart, from Cheshire. I know exactly what you mean. I went back to college in my late 40s so I take my hat off to you. I'd be happy to chat and see if we could spark off a friendship? Not quite sure how it all works though. Would we just message here?
Fugazi64
29th Jan 2024 09:53:13 (Last activity: 16th Feb 2024 14:06:59)
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello,

I have been a member here now for the best part of three minutes so thought it was about time I left a message. Pity that I can't think of anything interesting to say, but i guess that good manners dictate that I should introduce myself. I am not sure how we deal with real names here so will leave that for now, but I am a single man living in Gateshead who will turn 60 in two days time. I am happy with my lot, but also maybe considering a little bit of a reboot.

Looking forward to meeting you all.
Response from Iss made on 2nd Feb 2024 15:21:51
Hello Fugazi64 Just to say I hope you have a lovely 60th birthday. I come from Scotland and thought I would come on and see who I could chat too as the weather here is horrible . Iss
Response from Fugazi64 made on 3rd Feb 2024 11:02:50 > @Iss
Hello Iss,

Lovely to hear from you. I had a good day on my birthday (just quiet drinks with my brother and sister) and a few days off work either side, which was nice.

In Gateshead the weather is drizzly.....always!!!.....I quite like it really.

Take care and keep in touch. it would be nice to know more about you.

Bob
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 16th Feb 2024 14:06:59
Good afternoon and welcome to the site , I hope you make lots of new friends here , many nice people and lots to chat about , enjoy your day
LissaJ
18th Jan 2024 21:13:06 (Last activity: 2nd Feb 2024 15:33:14)
0
Thanks for voting!
I just joined yesterday, I can understand how you are feeling, I'm a young 71, just lost my husband 2 months ago, I don't have any family close to me, so it is very lonely, and i have learned over the years that its not strange, that's just what they have turned out to be, but yes I agree, they do seem to forget us
Response from Iss made on 2nd Feb 2024 15:33:14
Hi LissaJ Just to say so very sorry to hear about you losing your husband 2 months ago so sad . I hope you find some friends on here to chat too soon if you like you can chat with me anytime so don’t hesitate to do that please . I am a retired lady from Scotland. Hope to hear from you soon. Iss
PatriciaB96
2nd Feb 2024 13:58:15
0
Thanks for voting!
Good afternoon, and welcome to the site , there are plenty of people here who are friendly, lots of different topics to chat about , I hope you will enjoy your time here , enjoy your day
Dukey
17th Jan 2024 02:05:22 (Last activity: 25th Jan 2024 12:36:22)
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello…I am new so bear with me.
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 25th Jan 2024 12:36:22
Good afternoon, it's a nice site , many nice people are here , I hope you will enjoy your time here
sandgrounderinretirement
19th Jan 2024 12:06:39 (Last activity: 21st Jan 2024 15:31:02)
0
Thanks for voting!
Just joined today, and I'm in my early 70's, having been retired for a long while. Currently living in Northamptonshire, wher I have been now for two decades. I'm a member of the National Trust and English Heritage, as I enjoy visiting their properties every chance I get Lookng to find like minded people.
Response from Beauty made on 21st Jan 2024 15:31:02
Hi SG etc Hope you make friends on here....friendly site. All the best
PatriciaB96
21st Jan 2024 13:13:04
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi , try your local citizen advice bureau, or your local council
redrover3
20th Jan 2024 13:10:00
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi I’m Alan I’ve just joined SS as I retired in January just what can I claim now I’ve go my bus pass
Can you claim on council tax ?
LissaJ
17th Jan 2024 19:45:44 (Last activity: 19th Jan 2024 20:46:46)
0
Thanks for voting!
Hello, I'm new too nice to meet you
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 18th Jan 2024 09:21:04
Good morning, nice to you a new member too
Response from LissaJ made on 18th Jan 2024 21:18:54 > @PatriciaB96
Thank you, its a little mid boggling to maneuver this site, any tips?
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 19th Jan 2024 20:46:46 > @LissaJ
Hi , no tips , sorry , just a little patience, your get used to it
Dukey
17th Jan 2024 02:06:00 (Last activity: 18th Jan 2024 21:17:22)
-1
Thanks for voting!
Hello…I am new so bear with me.

Dukey
Response from PatriciaB96 made on 18th Jan 2024 09:22:10
Good morning a nice to meet a new member on here
Response from LissaJ made on 18th Jan 2024 21:17:22
Hi Dukey, I am also new here, joined yesterday (Wednesday)
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