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Life is Still good(ish)!!!
Life is Still good(ish)!!!

Life is Still good(ish)!!!

Well it’s nearly 6 months on since I stopped working at the end of September 2022 I am pleased to say that Life is Still Goodish. In November 2022 I posted a note about was goodish Life is Good(ish)!!!! and this is an update.

What is Good(ish)?

The life, the universe and everything else

Well I am pleased to say the good things are still good and I don’t have any regrets about stopping work when I did.

I continue to feel more relaxed, less stressed and I generally look and feel better. I can pick and choose what I do during the day and it’s surprising how busy my day gets. I am not having to get up at early O’Clock to get ready for work, but I am having to get up early on Tuesday mornings to see my personal trainer for a 1 hr long session. She keeps telling me it is good for me.

During the winter months I could take Fudge out for his normal afternoon in daylight hours. It gives us an opportunity to catch up with some of our dog walking friends, which is really nice. There have been a few occasions when the weather has so good, nice clear sunny days we have been able to get out for some reasonably long walks during daylight hours with Fudge. At this time of year it is nice to be out in the countryside and seeing the winter colours.

I have managed to sort stuff which has been accumulating for years. It has either been given to charity or to the recycling centre. I have to admit there is still some stuff which needs to be sorted but there is no urgency to it, so I can take my time to sort things out, which is really nice.

The Gym

I have been able to go to the gym three times a week, in addition to seeing my personal trainer. So I am now doing Yoga, Aqua and Pilates each week – which is surprising me, given I am not a great fan of gyms. I had started off doing Spirit, a fusion of Yoga and Pilates but I was struggling. When they changed the routines I would struggle to used to the new ones. The difficulty was learning the new routines and I could adapt to get used to each new routine.

Although I have only being those classes for a few weeks, I have noticed started to notice an improvement. The improvement has been increased flexibility and strength, particularly in the left hip, the left leg and the mid to upper back – where I suffered life changing injuries.

This is having a positive impact, particularly on long distance dog walking and long all day motorbike rides. The riding position on the new motorbike is slightly different and it has taken a while to get the body used to it. After a long all day ride I would be in significant discomfort/pain, because of the new riding position. However, Yoga, Spirit and Pilates has significantly minimised the discomfort – which is really good and encouraging.

The Motorbike

Given the cold weather this winter I haven’t been out and about as much but I still have managed some rides

I am really enjoying this bike and I have started planning a number of trips away this year. The trips will be to Wales and the Scotland.

I am also planning to undertake the South West Peninsula Rally, the Welsh National Motorbike Rally, the Scottish National Rally and possibly a couple of others. I will need to be fit for those as they can be rather gruelling, so going to the gym 4 times a week is helping to prepare for those.

Work.

I don’t really miss work, the pressure and the stress, but I do miss the interaction with my team and others.

I have been approached by a couple of people about becoming involved with some project work this Year, on a part time consultancy basis. From the initial discussions the sort of projects they are involved with look interesting. Discussions are on going and it will be interesting to see what comes of it.

Volunteering – Wilts and Berks Canal Trust

I have started volunteering at the Wilts and Berks Canal Trust as Design Team Leader. I will be working with and support the teams who are responsible for the Permanent Structures, Specifications and Standards and Temporary Works.

I already involved with a few interesting projects, including the restoration of the 3 locks at Pewsham, investigating the failure of a retaining wall and the possible remedial measures to reinstate it and a scheme to reinstall a new road over canal bridge, well it makes a change from road over rail.

Over the years I have been involved with various charities in my spare time and it is nice to be in a position to be able to commit a couple of days a week to this one.

A difference

Having taken the decision to stop working has been a good positive thing.

What has been interesting is difference in social interaction. When I was working there was a lot of social interaction, but now it is different. As most people I know are working I am having to develop a different social circle to have that interaction. Otherwise, there is a danger that I could end up not talking to anybody for the most of day.

So Life is Still Good(ish)

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