Admittedly, I have never been one of life’s great visionaries, but always believed that our retirement would consist of travelling the width and breadth of our beautiful country in our beloved ‘box’ on wheels – and always proud to be a caravaner.

The meaning of to retire is ‘the withdrawal from one’s occupation or from one’s active working life’. Although I think hubby would disagree with that by stating that he has never had so many ‘jobs’ that now need doing.

Our working lives had always revolved around our family, we were never forward thinking, especially when it came to retirement and pensions, unfortunately they were too easily pushed to one side, something to be thought of later. At present my dreams of roaming the countryside cannot be pursued, due to our bank account resembling the Chilean Atacama Desert.

Apparently, some retirees opt for life on a cruise ship, this sounds quite appealing. Approximately £100,000 per year allows you to live an adventurous lifestyle with all amenities taken care of and maintenance free whilst entertainment and constant company surrounds, whereas an average nursing home can set you back over £70,000 per year! Mmmm let me ponder on this.

Having explained to our darling sprogs, that we would do our utmost to ensure they don’t fall out while distributing our vast fortune between themselves, we have therefore decided not to leave a penny!

Dr Seuss tells us to not cry because its over, but smile because it’s happened. Though the late, great Freddie Mercury said it best with Queen’s song ‘These are the days of our lives’ recorded a couple of months before his death – and always brings a lump to my throat – reflecting on life and how the years fly in the swiftness of time. I do look back, and although I wouldn’t change a thing, there is a feeling of loss and what I thought our life was going to look like. So, I must stop complaining and practice self-persuasion (and no that’s not what you are thinking) whilst learning to get on with the rest of my life.