I am glad that Irene’s treatment plan is proving effective and I hope the pair of you find enjoyable ways to spend your retirement together. A cruise does sound very nice. I tempted to do one of these myself.

I didn’t so much as retire but elect not to return to work after being a carer to my parents. Fortunately, UK legislation allows you to access any pension plan you have set up privately for yourself, once you’re 55. This coincided with my caring duties coming to an end, so I chose my path accordingly.

Myself and Mrs P do things together as well as pursue individual interests and it has proven a good arrangement. Both of us wonder how we managed to fit in work. However, as soon as you find you have time available, so do other people. We’re happy to do childcare for our grandchildren but sometimes you do have to be conspicuously busy.