24. The distant sound of Oceans

I’m writing this podcast from La Rochelle in France. I'm on my way to Bordeau and Montpellier, having visited Biarritz, San Sebastien and Bilbao in Spain. I travel for 4 months of the year, writing as I go along, and hitting the gym ( by the way I follow Peter Atia for longevity tips !) Deciding what you do during your retirement years is tricky, particularly when you partner is much younger , like mine. Some of my friends have suffered from illness and some have popped off – gulp ! Over 65’s make up 20% of the population, ( this was 8% in 1981) with the south east of England the largest concentration. Hobbies take up a lot of time, as does working for charities. 10% are still working. Overall, 38% live alone. 46% of people over 65, take a holiday overseas once a year. The Mediterranean countries are the most popular destination. Travel costs are much higher than they were in 1999, due to fuel costs, general inflation and the pandemic. The benefits of travel are though to be mental and physical health, social and personal growth and cultural enrichment. Of course it means you miss friends, children and grand children etc. To date I have travelled to 41 the 195 countries in the world or only 21% ( and 20 of the 50 states in the USA).Next on my list in Montenegro , Sri Lanka and the Maldives. At my age I can expect to live for another 18 years max. So, I guess I could knock off another 20-30 countries,  assuming I’m not drinking through a straw in a nursing home – please shoot me !

The song starts with a reality check, ‘The girls wanna, move back in.I’m tired of, burying friends. Getting old, feeling my skin. I wanna fight back, and win ‘ Adult children living at home is an issue in the south east of England due to house prices. The mood then turns into something darker, ‘Don’t think we’re sick yet. But, afraid of the threat .It will only, get uglier .Just existing, is what I fear.’ – I don’t like the last few words at all ! Taking a step back our plucky couple have worked out what's what and , ‘Weve done the calculation. There is no time. We have to change direction.’ i.e. in short its now or never. They are also clear that ,’ What's holding us back If it's not the kids, then. Put the money in the bag’ – so there's no bloody excuse. Go man go ! Now they're making moves , ‘Get the car keys. Its time, to go upstate. Gotta make memories. Before, it’s too late’ They even recognise that they have had a good life and got plenty of ‘stuff’’, which matters little later in life. They sing  ‘When is enough, enough. Get back in love and laugh. Jesus, sure don’t want us. To take more photographs.’ I particularly like the line ‘ Jesus, sure don’t want us, to take more photographs’ – in other words live life, don’t record it, you can't take it with you ! – in any event its on your phone these days .The chorus ends with a big bold shout out, ‘What the hell comes next .The distant sound of oceans. We need a new start, new dreams’ oh yea , The distant sound of oceans. OH yea.The distant sound of oceans.’ See you in six months, Ill be back in the UK by then. 

PS what is it about the sound of oceans. There is the womb connection, its relaxing, it's a big break from modern life, its soft and restoring and it reminds of us of the present. It’s a positive and helps us put everything in to perspective i.e. the rhythm of nature. In the meantime, I'm off today to the Ile de Re in the Bay of Biscay – windy or what !