Retirement and Exhaustion!

[didache]

Hi all
I haven't posted for a couple of weeks (apart from the age thread) because of the activities associated with my retirement. I conducted my last services (I am clergy) on the 21st and 28th of Jan - it was nice to have a packed church, which is a rare thing these days. Here's a pic of me cutting a cake on the 28th:

I have also been surprised by the number of people who have requested mp3s of my last sermon. They never asked until I retired.
I have technically been a pensioner since Feb 1st now so we are getting ready to move from this suburb of London to Bristol over in the West of England. My wife has already moved over to get our new place ready (carpets going down tomorrow - Monday). This leaves me to get ready for the removal company who arrive tomorrow to pack and part-load. Tuesday they load up and Wednesday they deliver to our new house.
I haven't been this tired for a long time: a combination of non-stop lifting/carrying and the emotional strain which saying goodbye entails.
I will be very glad when I wake up on Thursday in our new place - at least boxes can be unpacked at our leisure!
Mike

 

[Chasing Embers]

Congrats Mike. That kind of attendance and requests says how important you are to them. Enjoy that new life!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

What is this thing you call retirement? :rofl:

Congratulations!

 

[3rdguy]

Enjoy the new chapter!

 

[ukbob]

Enjoy your new free time Mike ,only 4 1/2 years to yo for me.

 

[owen]

Enjoy the peace.

 

[mikethompson]

Congrats Mike!
Looks like you made an impact on a lot of peoples lives and were true to your calling. As you are retired now you should have more time for your pipe, no?

 

[npod]

I want to be retired when I grow up. Cheers, Mike.

 

[jvnshr]

Congratulations Mike! Great picture.

 

[coffinmaker]

Well, Rev.Mike, the busy life may just be starting! Our priest Fr.Dan retired about 10 years ago. He will turn 91 this March and God is keeping him busy. Best wishes to you and many more blessings.

 

[thesmokindragon]

Congrats Mike

 

[ray47]

Congrats on your retirement Mike and all of God's Blessings be with you. One piece of advice though....STAY ACTIVE.

 

[cortezattic]

Congrats on reaching this milestone! ::

 

[didache]

Thanks guys.
I don't think activity will be a problem. The problem will be in saying 'no' to the various invitations that will come my way from the churches around Bristol.
Also, my eldest daughter lives there with her husband and son (my grandson) - so there will be a fair bit of grandparent-grandson bonding to be done too!
Mike

 

[hawky454]

Congratulations to you sir! I’m going to smoke a pipe full of St. Bruno in celebration. Think of all the wonderful pipe-fulls of Bruno you have yet to smoke!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Hearty Congrats, Mike. May you have a long and fulfilling time in Bristol!

 

[mso489]

When I retired, I thought I'd be deciding whether to read a book or take a walk on quiet afternoons. Huh. The pace of life picked up even more. The old joke -- I don't know how I had time to work. Congratulations, and fight for your time to enjoy yourself. I'm still quoting your "upper class house, with a middle class job, on a lower class salary."

 

[headhunter]

Congratulations Mike, you have earned it. Unfortunately we couldn’t have retired 30 years ago. You will enjoy the next step in your life.

 

[papipeguy]

Congratulations. Ass fr unpacking boxes; we're in the process of downsizing and finding boxes we're finding boxes we never unpacked when we moved here 25 years ago. They're going or making another move.

 

[cigrmaster]

Congrats on your retirement. I hope you enjoy the time with your family and grandson.