On 29th January 2025, I had my 80th birthday in Venice. I traveled there via Rome and Florence and although they are both marvelous cities Venice is just the most splendid city I have ever visited. Being there in winter meant the crowds of tourists were down to a minimum and we struck it lucky with bright, cool weather; just perfect to wander the alleyways. Transport is by hop-on, hop-off water bus, just buy a ticket for the day, and you go sailing along the Grand Canal, looking at the beautiful buildings. There are no queues at the museums so we went through the Doge’s Palace and across the Bridge of Sighs. I always thought this was so-called for romantic reasons but it was the sounds prisoners made as they entered the dungeons, a place many of them never came out of.
We had a lovely dinner with family and friends, a typical Italian restaurant with lots of pasta and pizza.
So back to reality and what it means to be 80.” In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin This birthday is definitely different in the knowledge that I probably won’t make 90. I’m just renewing my passport and I think this will be my last one. Life expectancy for males in the UK is 79 and worldwide 72 so I’m already overdue.
How do I feel? Well, physically quite good bearing in mind that I have lost strength, flexibility, and stamina and I have a heart condition. But I can still exercise every day either at the gym or walking around the estate and I think this is a secret to living longer. Cognitively I think I have deteriorated somewhat, I struggle sometimes to find the right word, and my concentration has reduced, but I still read books despite the distraction of social media and TV.
Life is quieter now but with little or no stress. I don’t have such an urge to travel as much, there’s nothing on my bucket list that I’m desperate to see but if family or friends are doing something then I’m keen to join. I have fewer friends now as we all get older and die off and intimations of mortality continue to rear their ugly heads.
I was asked at the weekend if I would do anything differently if I were to live my life over again. The answer is yes. I would marry in my 30s and know more about relationships, have one child instead of three, buy a home within my budget and not be beholden to the banks, avoid corporate life, and retire earlier.
Retirement has been the most enjoyable chapter of my life. I take satisfaction that my children and grandchildren have grown up or are growing up to be responsible adults and that I must have done something right.