View comments by: Most Recent - first / last | Most Popular - first / last | Replies - hide / show

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

Not a member?

You need to be a member to interact with Silversurfers. Joining is free and simple to do. Click the button below to join today!

Glaslyn
2nd Sep 2015 19:29:36 (Last activity: 9th Sep 2015 16:27:38)
2
Thanks for voting!
Just joined today. At a new stage in my life. Been taking care of parents since 2005 - dad survived to 95 years, and mam to 98 years and 6 months. Taken me 12 months to clear the house. Resigning on 31 August from a part time job teaching for Aberystwyth University. Facing that horrendous watershed of 70 years at the end of the year. Two friends have died so far this year, and another has suffered a minor stroke. What a shock all this has been. Appalling shock. Never, ever considered myself old before. Ugh! Ugh!

So, new stage and new ventures. Anybody else where I am?
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 7th Sep 2015 17:39:58
Hello Glaslyn, I'm sorry that I haven't replied to you sooner, but, well one thing leads to another, as the song goes, and I have neglected to log in here for a while.
You seem to have been through the wringer a bit in recent months , but i'm sure you will come out of it a stronger person than before; the human spirit is so strong in times of crisis.
Old at 70? Never, age is only a number, so they say, although i know people much younger than myself who have simply given up and are, in effect, just waiting to die!
Are you Welsh, I'm part Welsh myself, my Gran was from South Wales and I think that I have always 'felt' Welsh, deep down inside my soul.
When I went to uni I was asked, 'what is your national identity?' Without even having to think about it, I answered, 'Welsh.'
I'm happy to chat at any time, but not at 3am please!
Hwl fawr
Response from Glaslyn made on 7th Sep 2015 20:55:51
Thanks for your message.

I haven't quite come to grips with the layout of this site as yet. However, I have written about myself in a profile, and imagined that this profile would be accessible by simply clicking on my fictional name? Not so?

Yes, I am a Welsh speaking Welshwoman living in a far-flung place called Porthmadog. Are you Welsh on your father or mother's side? Did you know and visit your Gran? Where did she live?
Carol
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 9th Sep 2015 16:27:38
I'm Welsh on my father's side, his mam was from Neath, Glamorgan. I have tried to trace Gran's side of the family without success, it just seems to have come to an end when she and her parents moved to England. There must be cousins and it would be great to find them, perhaps i will give it another go.
Cheers

Laura
bobble
7th Sep 2015 06:25:41 (Last activity: 8th Sep 2015 13:16:35)
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi.. I am an ex Lancastrian and still love the valley's around the county. I like your attitude to life so lets chat about it some more please to strike up a friendship.... I am just a little older than you He! He!
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 7th Sep 2015 17:29:22
Hiya bobble, how you doing chuck? I just logged on and saw your message, thanks for replying.
Where are you from in Lancashire? I have to admit that I'm originally from Yorkshire, on the other side of the dark hill, although I have lived in Lancashire for much longer than I ever lived in Yorks and I feel more 'Lanky' than 'Yorkie' though they do make lovely chocolate!
I hope to hear from you soon.
Response from bobble made on 8th Sep 2015 07:04:36
Hiya celtwitch...I'm doing fine thanks so just thought I would update you about me.
I was born and bred in Haydock Nr, St Helens on the 29th July 1930.....Don't stop reading or laughing....In early 2010 I had 2 Strokes and went from wheelchair to Zimmer frame then to Walking stick all of which I have now cast aside...Apart from the problem down my left side in particular my left hand I feel GREAT can't really use a knife and fork. I am blessed with a wonderful partner, she is 65, who, because she is always on her iPad with Facebook, which I detest, and playing Hayday suggested I try a Chat Room so here I am.
One thing I detested about the strokes is that it took my singing voice away as I was fortunately blessed with a good one, Sang lead roles in many Amateur Operatics, still can't complain I'm still here.
Where are we now ????We live in Northern Cyprus and it is beautiful.. Our Villa has a pool 10x5 Lemon tree, orange tree, satsuma tree Plum tree and 2 Big Olive trees. The only problem He! He! is the weather..We have had a very hot summer with temps as high as 47 C at the moment we are basking in about 38/40C Care to join us for a swim ??? We also have 2 dogs.
I would really like to continue with our friendship so I will wait patiently for a reply.
Out of interest we are 2 hours ahead of you in time
Response from celtwitch Original Poster made on 8th Sep 2015 12:00:06
St Helens eh, are you a Saints fan? I used to follow Wigan when my daughter was younger, then suddenly she went of Rugby when she discovered the opposite sex, so I stopped going on my own, I still watch the Challenge Cup on the BBC, but I don't have Sky Sports.
I had planned to retire to Cyprus but then decided that i would not be able to cope with the heat, so I abandoned that idea. So, you are in the 'occupied' half of Cyprus, how does that work out, living among muslims?
I'm part Welsh and part Italian, but I can't sing a note, I couldn't sing if my life depended on it though I envy all those who can warble a tune or two.
I have to admit that the possibility of having a stroke is probably the one thing that really scares me, I'm completely on my own, apart from my dog and cat, and if I had a stroke and couldn't get to the phone I could lie undiscovered for days, maybe even dead when I was found. it's not a pleasant thought.
I would love to come for a dip in your pool, I will grab my towel and cossie and be with you soon.
Chat soon,

Laura
Response from bobble made on 8th Sep 2015 13:16:35
Thanks for coming back, we have a lot in common. Story about the Saints, I played soccer for St,Helens but no supporters so we went to the Good Friday fixture with Wigan and shouted for Wigan. I think they had a winger called Norgren ( wrong spelling ) I don't have Sky either so don't see much League Rugby.
Actually living in the North is good it's much greener than the South and the people are much nicer. It wasn't an Invasion by the Turks it was an Intervention but the Greeks still hate the northern side and teach their children in schools bad things about the North. We are not bothered about the Muslems apart for when they have their Ramadams when they stick to their fastings etc,
Hey stop thinking about things like strokes, think positively like I have had to do and things will turn out good.
Right,,, I'll pick you up at the Airport, you only need your cossie, let us know the flight you'll be on.
Glaslyn
7th Sep 2015 21:46:09
2
Thanks for voting!
Is this your profile? Still confused about this site!
jillyidol
19th Aug 2015 23:20:19
1
Thanks for voting!
celtwitch hello it's nice to meet you I have lots of alone time too sadly more than I'd like to but I think it happens to all of us at some point, now we need to reach out to each other give lots of hugs and share all our hopes and dreams. Lord knows we still have them
Juliek
13th Aug 2015 16:54:32
2
Thanks for voting!
I will be your friend 🙂 I am 57 and also have been on my own for some years and sometimes find it rather lonely. Good on you for doing a degree at 59, I do not think I would have the courage to do such a thing, you must be a confident person.
I am also a dog owner and find myself walking her around the countryside where I live, I used to have a horse but these days I don't think I would be able to manage all the work mucking out and cleaning the field.
Strange how we find it so difficult to make friends when we hear from the media that there are so many people who live alone, children grow up and have their own lives and its hard not to feel sad thinking about the past.
Like you, the last thing I expected was to be on my own in later life having had a full and happy family life for so long.
Would be happy to communicate with you - Julie
suffolknan
18th Mar 2015 22:07:03
1
Thanks for voting!
Hi all - especially Celtwitch and Sandra and dogs as I dont think I have spoken to you before!
Sorry to hear you are feeling so alone Celtwitch. I found that relationships with friends and family changed when I was widowed and making new friends is very difficult compared to when I was young.
What did you study at Uni? When I moved last year I joined U3A as it helps to have specific stuff to do outside of home. They are always looking for people with interests to share. I have heard some great speakers on all sorts of subjects and there are group leaders too - many with no qualifications but lots of interest and enthusiasm.
Through U3A I have acquaintances rather than friends, but am persevering.
Also It is a real bummer when our health issues interfere with us doing what we enjoy... I cant walk as far I used to and it is so annoying. However, I am planning to get another dog as soon as I have moved into my own place again . It may have to be a smaller/slower dog than before but I am enjoying looking at websites on breeds and rescue dogs and training and in fact, all things doggy! and catty!
What's Reiki? 😕
Sandra and dogs
12th Mar 2015 18:17:00
0
Thanks for voting!
Hi. I've just joined Silver Surfers so I thought I'd introduce myself. I'm retired and I live in Cheshire with my two dogs. My lovely daughter and son-in-law live about 10 minutes' drive away and my parents (in their late 80s) about the same distance away. I've recently joined a U3A watercolour painting class and am loving it, even though I have a long way to go before I can show my paintings to anyone! I'm a lapsed Reiki healer, but I do sometimes treat my dogs and they seem to like it. 🙂
Silversurfers Editor
9th Mar 2015 15:16:00
1
Thanks for voting!
Welcome Celtwitch ... hope you find some new friends to chat to. You may want to comment under features .. there is quite a lot of activity on Speakers Corner on most days, and we have the biggest social network for over 50s on our facebook page too. Lots of friends to meet there too 🙂
Page 67 of 67

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!