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#1
26th August 2023, 10:26
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To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
I think I've probably been gone long enough (16 months) that I need to re-introduce myself; I've just taken a quick glance down this section and see that there are a few new faces (and also good, from a quick review of other sections of the forum, to see that some of those new faces are posting) and also that some other "old lags" have returned, although I hope their return is not for negative reasons. Of course, there are also others here with whom I've been acquainted (through their posts) for a number of years, although I may not remember everyone by the name they're currently using.
I hope that life has improved for everyone in my absence (perhaps because of my absence?), although, realistically, I know that not everyone will have progressed so I hope that, at least, nobody's life has diminished. My own journey has been the usual story of progress and regression, with, I believe, the progress part in most areas being slightly more evident than the regression; there have also been moments of loneliness and unhappiness, as I have to admit that the social part of my life is one which has regressed, but which I am in the process of addressing (so far, unsuccessfully, but it's a work in progress). Enough of me, I am looking forward to getting re-acquainted with those of you who were around before I left and getting to know those of you who weren't. Honey, I'm home. 
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#9
26th August 2023, 14:06
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
It's great to see you back, GI!
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#10
26th August 2023, 18:47
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
Hi other GI
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#12
26th August 2023, 19:07
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
^What is it good for?
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#15
27th August 2023, 09:16
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
I can't quote everyone, because I have never mastered (after 10 1/2 years) the art of the multi-quote and I can't really spam my own thread, but thank you all, even those of you who are welcoming me back through gritted teeth.
Marco: I know you weren't joking, but it's fine (and yes, I am also joking). GI: there is and always will be only one real GI on this forum and it's not me. Dean: thank you, your post has touched me because I never thought of you as someone who enjoyed my posts - not sure about the "adventurous spirit" though. biscuits: "jet setting lifestyle" suggests to me someone who travels business class, stays in five-star hotels and has matching luggage, not someone with a backpack and Wizz Air Discount Club membership who would rather sleep on the floor of Stansted Airport than pay for a pre-flight hotel. Yes, I am still travelling although I've only been beyond Europe once so far this year. Percy & Clumsy: it's nice to be welcomed by people I've actually met, it means I can't be as bad a person irl as the evidence would seem to suggest! C&Jf: it took you a long time to bestow upon me the honour of targeting me whth your humour last time - I hope you'll find me more worthy this time. humphrey: doesn't it just - wait until you're as old as I am! carnan22: you don't know me yet, feel free to retract that welcome when you do. Merry & Dougella, thank you too. I'm not sure how to take GG's declaration of war, but it's nice to see you again, GG. I need to address the signature links on my profile, as they're a little out of date (although I am hoping that the two threads linked are not beyond reviving) and then, for better or worse, it will be business as usual, so anybody who was hoping that I would be less opinionated or outspoken this time is likely to be sorely disappointed. My posts haven't got any shorter, either.
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#17
28th August 2023, 01:06
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
Quote:
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#19
28th August 2023, 16:08
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
Quote:
I was amazed by all the disruption in France this year, because of the proposal to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62; it's good for me that the retirement age there is so low, because I get serious reductions on train travel and admission prices (I think it only cost me €10 to visit the Palace of Versailles and the gardens a couple of months ago). I get pensioner rates in Poland too.
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#20
29th August 2023, 14:55
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
Quote:
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#21
29th August 2023, 15:42
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Re: To those who hoped I'd gone for good, I apologise!
Mines fixed at 67, it is only the people in their 40's that they are rumouring to increase it to 68.
Personally I would be happy to go at 65 like the old days. If work offered a redundancy scheme like they did after the financial crash, where instead of redundancy pay they would purchase the remaining years of your pension so you could retire on your full pension after 55, I would jump at the chance.
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Warm welcome back, Greg!
