What do you mean? He already is that guy...has been for years!

Have a great trip Robin

Congratulations Robin, enjoy your trip to the UK, do what you want to do, and take time to live your retirement to the full.

Congratulations! How lovely to go to the UK and not have to think about getting over jet lag before you go back to work.

Hmm.. Bit of a waste of jet lag though. I used to enjoy lolling around work for four days or so; "I wish I could help you with that, but I'm a bit jet lagged still.."

Now I'll be jet lagged on my own time!!

Congratulations! Like the others said, do what you want, and I wish you many years of traveling, reading, gardening and whatever else you like to do!

Congratulations!! Enjoy your time in the UK with your family!! Hopefully it will have warmed up a little bit when you arrive there. "Oh to be in England, now that April's here".................. (well almost here).

Big Congrats -
Enjoy retirement and enjoy your UK trip

Look at the pictures ? Has anyone read the text ?

Just remember Robin, you have earned your retirement! Do whatever it is you want to do and take the time to enjoy it. How nice for you that you will have no work schedules to keep, no vacation time to earn, it's all vacation time now! Wishing you good weather, good health and good times ahead

Thank you, kind people!

So, April Fools Day, my first day of not going to work. I actually made no attempt to prepare for the shock of the transition, I thought I may as well wallow in whatever scared & remorseful feelings came along. I feel like one of those ping pongers, returned to England, immediately realises s/he made a horrible mistake, and now wants to immediately return to Australia.. My boss kept telling me he wants me to come back as an adjunct or a consultant, he's got projects for me etc. We'll see.

My first project is to prepare for my trip to England in two weeks. My son spent the weekend in Skegness, playing 2p slot machines and eating cheesy chips. Now that's a way I could see spending my retirement!

I often think if I didn't have to spend my days at work I could do something that could change the world such as create a new source of renewable energy, redesign the combustion engine or cure a disease or two. Take your pick and put your mind to it, what have you got to lose?

My idea of retirement....

Just to add my congratulations!

In 3 months, maybe 6 months time, you'll have a sudden realization (epiphany?). You'll wonder why in the hell you didn't do this 5 years ago. And yes, we all know the financial reasons we didn't, but after a few years, even that becomes questionable given the pleasure to be had.

Being retired is like being a kid again. You wake up in the morning, and you can do anything you want to today. If you serve as a consultant, you serve on your terms. And, there's no mummy to tell you different. (OK, there's 'she who must be obeyed', but you'll work that out).

Enjoy it to the full. The next phase ain't so great, so make sure you get your full, rightful share.

I started out, in #5 to congratulate you and wish you luck. I started to muse over my own experience, typed that and forgot to do this:

Congratulations, have a great time.

Congratulations Robin.