The Retirement Thread

[12boy]

-13C here but sunny and still. Yesterday's snow left a sheet of ice on the street but perhaps in a bit a ride with studs would be nice. By the time I've removed the snow from the car, eaten some oatmeal, done stretches etc, it should be almost 0C. But, it's a "dry cold".
Looks like the senatorial race in Georgia went to the Dems, somehow defeating a carpetbagger and a Klu Klux Klan aficionado. Who'd a thunk it? Pleased some of the anti ecology, racist, and pro-1% changes of the last 4 years may be reversed. Perhaps we can rejoin those countries in which democracy and human values are present. The stress of the last few months has been intense and this was one of the last major issues that needed to be resolved. You will be pleased to know I will maybe not need to emigrate to your green and pleasant land.
Supposedly I'm in the group for the next batch of vaccines, and Mrs 12's cancer Doc says she will be taken care of as well. That will be another stressor accounted for with last being our kids, their wives and the grandson. Knock on wood
Be safe and well ......

 

[Dirk]

We find the Caravan Club the worst, many sites booked months ahead.

There was a guy on the CMC Facebook page yesterday boasting that, as he wanted to go to the Longleat balloon festival this year, but didn't know the dates (as they had not been released yet), he had booked every weekend from April to October.
Said that once he knew the dates, he'd cancel the bookings he didn't want.
Caused a sh1tstorm of angry comments from folk who were unable to book a weekend of their choice.
He just didn't get it. Some folk, eh?!

 

[oldwheels]

We ARE coffin dodgers with a Motorhome!

We find the Caravan Club the worst, many sites booked months ahead.

For the past 14 years, we have managed to roam mainland Europe for 5 months of the year, without a single booking. In that time, we were only caught out once (Italy, new Lake Garda), but, all sites full (June), but, kindly Reception staff at one site stuck us in a corner for 24 hours until pitch came available.

I was also a coffin dodger with a motorhome and I am no longer a member of the CC as I sold the motorhome and now going back to a tent or a very small caravan. The booking problem is fostered by the clubs I think as they encourage people to book for longish periods. Melrose CC site is block booked every weekend for the whole summer at least and gives rise to lots of complaints.
I have not been able to book Rosemarkie C & CC site for a few years now as it seems to be booked solid most of the summer. Dingwall I have found possible at shortish notice but the NC 500 has affected the site availability.
Touring as we know it in the UK has gone forever I think and I suppose that we got the best years so at least some happy memories.
Sorry if I appeared to snap at you earlier. It has in some ways been a stressful day.

 

[Dirk]

I don't think touring has had its day.
The problem with booking sites is pretty much confined to the larger popular organised sites, with the fixed school holidays.
I avoid such sites like the plague.

 

[BoldonLad]

I was also a coffin dodger with a motorhome and I am no longer a member of the CC as I sold the motorhome and now going back to a tent or a very small caravan. The booking problem is fostered by the clubs I think as they encourage people to book for longish periods. Melrose CC site is block booked every weekend for the whole summer at least and gives rise to lots of complaints.
I have not been able to book Rosemarkie C & CC site for a few years now as it seems to be booked solid most of the summer. Dingwall I have found possible at shortish notice but the NC 500 has affected the site availability.
Touring as we know it in the UK has gone forever I think and I suppose that we got the best years so at least some happy memories.
Sorry if I appeared to snap at you earlier. It has in some ways been a stressful day.

Don't even think about, I didn't see it as a "snap", after all, we are coffin dodgers!, and, long may we be successful!

Yes, Melrose is not too far from us, and, very pleasant, but, as you say, heavily booked. We have managed mid-week breaks there in the past.

Hope your day has improved

 

[oldwheels]

It has now started raining but at least I got out earlier for a modified run on the trike.
Modified because of the low blinding sun so I had a different starting point and repeated a shorter distance to make up a reasonable bit of exercise.
Good and bad bits tho'. I had to get somebody to shift a car blocking a parking place to get the trike out where there is normally nobody. Lots of walkers and lookers so had a kind of social run meeting people who had never seen the trike before and our ex Head Girl employee with her aged dog so had a longish natter. People get much older looking somehow without it being noticed if you have not met them for a while. Sad.
Noticed also that a couple of previously empty holiday homes have cars with obvious rule breakers as we are in the lowest current level so they must have come here for that reason.

 

[oldwheels]

I don't think touring has had its day.
The problem with booking sites is pretty much confined to the larger popular organised sites, with the fixed school holidays.
I avoid such sites like the plague.

We never went during school holidays but they are getting more difficult to avoid somehow. I still think the carefree days of confidently just turning up have gone and free camping spots we used to use have all been blocked off due to antisocial behaviour. I better not get started on that, bad for my blood pressure.

 

[GM]

G'day folks, seeing as we had 5 degrees here today I thought I'd better come out of hibernation. Getting reading for our weekly zoom quiz this evening, questions all set. Not sure whether to have wine or a couple of beers to go with it.
My new years resolution, must keep up with the forum gossip

 

[pjd57]

2021 has made me realise, it will soon be 10 years since I was lucky enough to give up full time work.
Where did the years go......

It's been great. Even better than I hoped for.

 

[Dirk]

Jeez! Have you seen what's going on in the States?
Trump's supporters have stormed Capitol Hill, broken into the Senate chamber and stopped the electoral proceedings.
One woman has been shot by security inside the building.
National Guard has been called out.
This could get very messy.
And Trump sits back tweeting.

Watch live on NBC

View: https://youtu.be/wLRNBYIdrMg

 

[Dave7]

I don't think touring has had its day.
The problem with booking sites is pretty much confined to the larger popular organised sites, with the fixed school holidays.
I avoid such sites like the plague.

Can these sites not charge a 10% non refundable booking fee ? Seems reasonable to me.

 

[classic33]

Good day my people. Greetings. It looks quite decent outside. During yesterday's essential journey to the LBS I noticed the local roads were OK. I shall head out for training loops later. Thursday>Saturday forecast is rarely above 0⁰C so need to grab the chance.

Shall we have a poll in here. Are you:

• A forum stalwart
• An old duffer who likes a bit of fun
• Myself

I have some bits and pieces to attend to.

I am Me, Myself & I, and missen.

 

[welsh dragon]

Jeez! Have you seen what's going on in the States?
Trump's supporters have stormed Capitol Hill, broken into the Senate chamber and stopped the electoral proceedings.
One woman has been shot by security inside the building.
National Guard has been called out.
This could get very messy.
And Trump sits back tweeting.

Watch live on NBC

View: https://youtu.be/wLRNBYIdrMg

Trump and his idiot fans are making a mockery of the States. The states are a laughing stock, and more than a bit of a joke at the moment. So much for them being the greatest country on the planet (according to themselves).

 

[Mo1959]

Jeez! Have you seen what's going on in the States?
Trump's supporters have stormed Capitol Hill, broken into the Senate chamber and stopped the electoral proceedings.
One woman has been shot by security inside the building.
National Guard has been called out.
This could get very messy.
And Trump sits back tweeting.

Watch live on NBC

View: https://youtu.be/wLRNBYIdrMg

Stupid orange idiot is encouraging it! Just shows how deranged he is....especially in the middle of a pandemic.

 

[Dirk]

I hope that Trump, or anyone related to him, is barred from public office for ever.