ROMFT_WO2RN

I take it "early", retirement in Japan is around 70 then

yup has a Next habit to feed

Pollyana

I had a big discussion on this the other day at work, several girls there said it was time I started calling in sick occasionally. I said "Ï can't I'm not sick!" but they don't get it. I tried to explain that back home we had something called Bradshaw (or a similar name) and it accumulated points against you if you were sick and all the rest of it, but they just don't get it. To their minds you call in sick just cos you don't want to work. I really don't have the kind of conscience that allows me to do that. We even used to get visits from the boss after a week off sick - that used to cause so much hassle cos I had a genuine long term problem and was off for ages, but wouldn't allow him over the doorstep. My argument was me single woman living alone, him just a work colleague, not someone I considered a friend. I was in bed sick, no way would I let him in

for a quick recovery

expatasia

No shit. When we reach 50 is what I had in mind, that was part of the reason for this holiday down under to relax & reflect on how to best spend the next flamin 25 years, met a lovely middle-aged Swiss couple during the camp and when we got into the topic over the vino the lady says 'Wouldn't giving up job leave a big hole in your lives?' Bizarre how some people think...

expatasia

Here it's 'worse' - peer pressure means that the vast majority of full timers in our office don't even get round to taking their full 21 days holiday entitlement per year, for whatever purpose. And yes including Mrs E who gets no extra pay/benefits for the days she fails to take off.

ROMFT_WO2RN

Don't think much of your early retirement chances then

Will be retiring in 2012 offcially, well from the Navy anyway Not enough to actually retire though with family in tow

expatasia

Well, won't be early this year, OH just purchased a six month commuter pass to work. I'm working on plans to get us both sacked & paid off. How long in advance do you have to inform the Navy?

ROMFT_WO2RN

Current plan is to submit 12 months notice on 1 Jul this year. The best option would be to get offered redundancy Would leave that bit earlier but with more cash. If not eligible when they release the first tranche in April then plan 1 goes into force. Am actually able to stay in until 2016 but need a firm exit date for a visa to be granted Sort of goes against the normal advice to NOT leave your job before visa grant

expatasia

Bit of a dilemma, I'd go for it myself though - the Navy's probably fine for single blokes but it must be so hard being away from wife & young family for long stretches, or did you have in mind emigrating to Oz on yer Todd?

ROMFT_WO2RN

Nah, best bring them as well, although quite like the FIFO idea

Pollyana

Cor....a good result again for Forest, well worth the trip to the redneck land of East Anglia

ROMFT_WO2RN

Pollyana

Ipswich 0 - 1 Forest. Old grudge match from college days, used to tease my mate that Ipswich would turn up for matches in wellies, chewing straw Nearly as satisfying as beating your lot

ROMFT_WO2RN

ah, just found it about twenty pages down on the BBC site.

Might be satisfying but so would winning the lottery, and about as likely

Pollyana

Na, even Forest win matches FAR more often than I win anything else

ROMFT_WO2RN

need Leeds and Forest to get promoted,

12 easy points there