Not a good start from the vantage of peace on earth but at least we are doing something. With the majority of MPs voting to bomb Syria I could not help feeling some disquiet at the thought of more destruction of this already war-torn country.
Positivity
Have you made your New Year’s resolutions? Many years ago I decided that aiming for the unachievable, such as getting fitter and losing weight was a waste of time. I have been more successful in the last few years with the “have more fun” mantra which seems to be working much better.
The top ten failures for last year are the following but not necessarily in this order:
- Get fitter and healthier
- Drink less alcohol
- Lose weight
- Get out of debt
- Stop smoking
- Find a new job/change career
- Spend more time with friends/family
- Start a business
- Travel more
- Find love
Let’s hope that the Paris Agreement on climate change will last longer than the above resolutions.
Good sports
I should like to pass on our congratulations to the winning Davis Cup team. For the first time since 1936 the British team has held aloft the huge trophy which means that currently we are the best in the world.
This year sees the Olympic Games being played in Rio de Janeiro and is heralded as the biggest sporting event on the planet. And Brazil certainly knows how to party so we can look forward to a lively August. Before that we have the UEFA Euro 2016 football contest which takes us from 10 June to 10 July, so another sporting feast to enjoy. Let’s hope with all the scandals of drugs in athletics and bribes in football we can have some good clean contests.
The distance divides
I have just spent a delightful day with my granddaughters who live a two-hour drive away so I don’t see them as often as I should like. Recent research has shown that pensioners live an average of 77 minutes from their nearest close relative. As one of the main criteria for older people’s happiness is spending time with their grandchildren this is a disturbing statistic. It also means that a third of families struggle to cope when elderly relatives are discharged from hospital.
The days when several generations of families all lived in the same village have long gone. Often families are distanced geographically and fathers and mothers live in different homes.
All this adds to the plague of loneliness that is seeping into our society. And raises more questions on the inadequate care systems.
Tis the season to book a holiday
I know your hairdresser has probably asked you already, but are you going anywhere nice on holiday this year? In January we are bombarded with adverts and encouragement to pack our bags and book a trip away. With more and more of the world opening up to tourists, and travel insurance easier and more affordable I intend to browse the internet and trawl the travel agents for new ideas.
Our monthly Travel Bulletin, available free online is full of ideas and we are always looking for contributions from our readers for the “Travellers Tales” section on our website. To sign up for the newsletter and bulletins visit www.maturetimes.co.uk and click on the link on the right.
We also offer our own travel insurance at www.maturetravelinsurance.co.uk at competitive prices for all ages. Our travel policies are for people up to the age of 115 for single trips and up to 74 with our annual.
Do let us know if you have been anywhere and any interesting events that you have enjoyed, or even disaster that you think should be shared.
