Now I’m 65
Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 11:00 Hard to believe, I know, but I’m 65 today.
The funny thing is, it only seems like yesterday that I was ‘celebrating’ my 60th birthday.
I wasn’t too fussed, if I’m honest, but my wife decided to mark the occasion by booking an evening, with an overnight stay, at a Michelin star restaurant at a secret location in rural Lincolnshire.
That much I knew in advance. What I didn’t know is that she had also arranged for two of our oldest friends to join us, which was an unexpected surprise.
It was only the second Michelin star restaurant we had ever been to (the first was in Cambridge), but since then we’ve developed a bit of a taste for them (no pun intended).
I don’t have a favourite because they’ve all been very different, but the one I remember most, partly because of its size, was Menu Gordon Jones, a tiny (and pleasantly informal) restaurant in Bath.
It was fully booked yet the eponymous chef not only did all the cooking, he also greeted guests at the door on arrival, and visited our tables to explain several of the seven courses on the menu.
That level of service, albeit in a very small restaurant, is pretty impressive, but I don’t envy the restaurateurs who have to maintain such a high standard every day to justify their Michelin star/s.
Anyway, for my 65th birthday today we’re driving to Norfolk where we will be staying at a Michelin star restaurant in Old Hunstanton.
En route I will reflect upon the fact that it’s not that long ago that men retired at 65 (when they could collect their state pension), with women retiring at 60.
Previous generations were sent on their way with a gold watch, but I can remember when the average age for men was 72 so the ‘golden’ years of retirement were relatively short, and something that people looked forward to after a hard working life.
More recently there was a period when my generation talked of being able to retire early, and I have a several friends who did just that.
One was 50 when he retired, and another was just 40, although it would be more accurate to describe him as semi-retired because he soon got bored and found work as a non-executive director with various companies.
Another friend retired from the civil service at 55 but he too found the days without work rather long so he took up dog-walking.
Today, if they live to their eighties or nineties, people who retire in their fifties or even sixties face the prospect of 20 or 30 years without work, which is why so many people, instead of retiring early, are voluntarily working longer, although money may also be a factor.
In my case I have no imminent plans to retire because I enjoy my job. Also, while it can be challenging, it’s not physically demanding so I reckon I’ve got a few more years in me before I embark on that round-the-world cruise.
Reader Comments (2)
Happy Birthday, youngster!
Thank you!