Back in January 2007, the Independent reported on a survey of 1,500 people over 65 who had been asked if they had any regrets. 70% wished they'd had more sex; 57% wished they'd travelled more; 45% wished they had quit their jobs and changed profession.
So this blog is about travel (yes, I thought about the other one, but don't have enough experience) and if you want to quit your job, go to the Retirement Revenue website.
If you thought that 'Gap-Year' travel was the exclusive preserve of hairy un-washed teenagers with a backpack and a pocket full of condoms wandering around India, you'd be wrong. They reckon there are upwards of 200,000 'baby-boomer' gappers in the UK. They are referred to in the travel trade as 'Saga louts' or, even worse, 'denture venturers' and they are big business.
The idea of taking a year out really appeals to a lot of people in our age bracket, we were after all, the hippies of the 60's. Some will have few bob by now and want to go round the world in a bit of style, typically spending over £5,000 each. They may have financed part of their trip by letting the house out or cashing in some of their pension or just spending some of the children's inheritance.
Others may want to do some volunteering and find themselves helping to build a school in Africa or bringing water to a remote bit of scorched earth, Worthwhile, rewarding and giving something back.
If you fancy turning the tables on your children by having your own gap-year and letting them have all the worry you'll need to do some research. You could start by trying http://www.gapadvice.org/in-retirement, an excellent website with loads of advice for grey-gappers. I have no connection with them, but recommend them anyway!
Be well.
No comments:
Post a Comment