grahamc Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Well as some of you may have seen from other posts of mine, I will be going overseas, to move, to travel, to explore, etc. Tomorrow is my last day and I am not sure why but I dont feel anything about it, maybe its just because SO much is changing, so much to think about that I have decided not to worry about it. But oh well, onto the good news.... I am officially retiring from IT work, tomorrow is my last day - 10 days before my 39th birthday!!! :yahoo:No idea what I will be doing with my life, but commuting, sitting in an office, having the same arguments with different companies about HA/DR and security strategies will not be it! The route:- 2 weeks in Lincolnshire (best part of the trip) to see my mom before departing 2 months traveling around France (joy of having a French girlfriend) 2.5 months in Japan (taking orders ) 2-4 weeks in Taiwan (less traveled and looks awesome) 3-4 days in Hong Kong (just because...) 30 days in Bali (well to relax of course) And then finally back to France (some time in June 2018) where we will be staying for about 6-8 months while we make some money and work on our next trip The Datsun 240z and Ford Escort MK1 will both be getting completed and sold (sadly ), however it does mean that I can buy a few cars in France first will be an old twingo, after that something like a 260z (not as expensive), Alfa, etc and see what life in the south of France is like. All this does mean that I will become rather quiet on here, but dont forget, I will be watching............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Best of luck Graham. It requires serious clangers to take life by the scruff o' the neck and make changes like that. Wish I had them. As far as I know my wife's friend has some sort of flat/house in Montpelier available to rent. If that is indeed the case, and you ever want me to look into it further for you just ask and I'll pass on any information I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 Thanks!! Definitely interested in more info on the flat, feel free to PM me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SPG Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 Best of luck Graham, please keep me in mind when you sell the 240, I’d love to add something like yours to my collection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Thanks!! Definitely interested in more info on the flat, feel free to PM me I'll find out and get back to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dnk Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Have a great time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnPreece Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Wow sounds a great adventure Graham all credit to you for going ahead with this and hope you have a great time Best of luck Graham, please keep me in mind when you sell the 240, I’d love to add something like yours to my collection. Another one for the Museum of Sunny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creative Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 I was the same when I left england. I was so busy getting stuff organised it didnt sink in until I went through the gates at the airport with my one way ticket. Scariest thing I have done in my life but so worth it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 Thanks all! I know I am looking forward to it I was the same when I left england. I was so busy getting stuff organised it didnt sink in until I went through the gates at the airport with my one way ticket. Scariest thing I have done in my life but so worth it! Good to know!! GF is stress and panicking about everything, I am calmly saying "want to watch a movie", didnt go down well. Sadly yes, lots of other things to stress about, but I am hoping that the excitement comes soon, as this is something that I have been working towards for the last 8-10 years! Scary as hell absolutely..... The question really is, what to do next.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitbox Junkie Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 What to do next chill out enjoy life and see where it takes you. Good luck sounds like an amazing adventure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 What to do next chill out enjoy life and see where it takes you. Good luck sounds like an amazing adventure Exactly that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rider Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Travelling around Japan is particularly brave as outside of the main cities none of the signs are in English which could make for some unintended destinations reached by bus or train. Make sure you have broadband roaming, I'd imagine google Translate will help out there which wasn't an option when I last visited Japan. In Taiwan most of the fishing is out of the NW and you may be able to blag a trip out to go humpback dolphin and Chinese destroyer spotting. Shame you aren't also touring the East rim of China while out there, I found that a real wow from the riverside skyline of Shanghai to the great wall walks just North of Beijing. There may be visa issues Taiwan and China though which is why I used to have 2 passports. Fascinating part of the World and the food, that'll probably be quite a bit different to what you are expecting unless you happen to have been there before. Retiring at 39, I'm leaving it late. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 29, 2017 Author Share Posted November 29, 2017 Travelling around Japan is particularly brave as outside of the main cities none of the signs are in English which could make for some unintended destinations reached by bus or train. Make sure you have broadband roaming, I'd imagine google Translate will help out there which wasn't an option when I last visited Japan. In Taiwan most of the fishing is out of the NW and you may be able to blag a trip out to go humpback dolphin and Chinese destroyer spotting. Shame you aren't also touring the East rim of China while out there, I found that a real wow from the riverside skyline of Shanghai to the great wall walks just North of Beijing. There may be visa issues Taiwan and China though which is why I used to have 2 passports. Fascinating part of the World and the food, that'll probably be quite a bit different to what you are expecting unless you happen to have been there before. Retiring at 39, I'm leaving it late. Thanks! Yeah a shame about China, but that is a trip all by itself, next time maybe Food should be good, I have lived in some odd places before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter richards Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 ooo la la, have a great trip mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammer Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Fair play, go and enjoy. We sold up everything and went off around the world back in 1999 for a year, just backpacking. Everyone said we were mad. Best thing we ever did. It was all still here when we got back, no different and we soon fell back into 'normal' life, but with a much better perspective of it all. Tell your other half not to stress too much, life is easy once you let all the shit that's tying you down go. The traveling is easy, so many doing it, even back when we did it. There's so much to see and do. Probably give this another couple of years and get off again ourselves as we keep getting itchy feet now. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedrosixfour Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Actually thinking about it, I'd have no problem dropping everything and just taking to the road tomorrow. The real problem would be explaining to the wife and children why they aren't coming! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annabella Posted November 29, 2017 Share Posted November 29, 2017 Excellent, hope all goes well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 Have moved up north to my moms for a few weeks, then Im off to France Been more busy the last week than I have in the last while..... why is retirement so busy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted March 7, 2019 Author Share Posted March 7, 2019 (edited) Well, time for the update........ a bit late yes, but when you have nothing to do, you manage to be surprisingly busy France, Japan, Taiwan, etc last year were all awesome!! Taiwan was the pick of the bunch.... ended up having to change the end of the trip though. It was cut short, so no Indonesia and we spent 9 days in China instead. I was then back and worked for 6-7 weeks in June/July and then spent the remainder of the year in Marseille, trying to learn some French. Wow do I struggle with this!! Marseille is awesome, well the city is ok, but the nature, mountains, sea, etc is just lovely! And being able to have lunch on the balcony in December is pretty. So this year was a month in Jordan, which was quite cool, but the food was a touch boring after a week. Only so much hummus and falafels I can do! Now back in the UK, helping my mom to sell her house and move, finishing things with my ex (nearly 3 years of this sh!t)!!! But finally getting somewhere.... Hope everyone else is enjoying their lives Edited March 7, 2019 by grahamc (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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