Tag retirement

Top Ten Retirement Adventures: No. 9

Reg Spittle 2 Comments

If retirement adventures are meant to pile up memorable moments, then this is one. Indeed. We stood at the end—Land’s End, that is—of our backpacking trip on England’s South West Coast Path. Soaked to the skin, we had battled horizontal rain all afternoon, but were, as they say, all smiles, even giddy.

My hair and the front of Sue’s hat stood to celebrate our 200-plus miles of ups and downs along England’s coast over three weeks in 2019. Although we had some balmy days as we walked in and out of a series of English seaside villages, when the weather turned, we were nearly blown away. At the end, it was so ridiculous that I Iaughed to the finish line.

Another memorable day on that trek took us on a record (for us) 9,000 feet of climbs and descents over 15 miles and 10 hours. Let’s just say that Bude was a welcome site as darkness neared. The beer as well as the fish and chips were delicious and we were glad the memorial gathering in the pub wasn’t for us.

The English trek was our fifth European distance trail, extending our addiction to traveling by foot. More to come about others.

Eight more adventures ahead.

50 Years Later, He Searches for His Lost Love

Reg Spittle 3 Comments

An English postman hates birthdays, but loves his job, except for the fact that it forces him to see other people. Even worse, he has to talk to people.

Three months before his 65th birthday, Albert Entwistle learns that postal rules require him to retire at 65. Then his beloved cat Gracie dies. His losses turn his world upside down, bringing him to contemplate his life when he was just 15 and in love. He still regrets that he consented to his father’s demand that he reject the only romance of his life.

In The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Matt Cain describes Albert’s suspenseful journey of hope that begins when he asks himself if he can rekindle the love that he recklessly left behind. He uncharacteristically enlists the help of strangers in his search for his former lover. He follows lead after lead on a trail that fills him with uncertainty and fear. Along the way, he learns that helping others and making himself vulnerable bring rewards he never thought possible.

Cain creates a likable man whose transformation and brave pursuit make this book an easy-to-read page turner that kept me guessing until the last page. I joined the book’s charming and eclectic list of characters who so badly want Albert’s dream to come true. It is one of the best books that I have read in 2023.