Wow, how time flies when you are having fun, so the saying goes!
It's coming up to 12 months (23 February) since I retired from NAB after 43 years.
No doubt some of you may be foolishly wondering; do I miss going to work each day, a very easy answer NO.
Our Paris trip had been something in the wind for over 2 years so the timing of my retirement was planned for mid 2016. Then I bought forward the date, because I was over the corporate lifestyle and all it entailed.
I was ready to retire, so it wasn't a big deal.
Paris, well we've been here 6 months, at the end of this month. Are we bored? Easy answer, no, there's always something interesting to see or do. A walk along the Seine which I would 2 - 3 times a week and never get sick of the scenery as it is every changing.
The trees are starting to get buds and soon the spring foliage will begin to cover the bare branches and the city will once again return to the lush Paris that we know.
Is nine months too long in one place, like Paris, in our opinion no, we will return again in the future for another extended stay of 2-3 months. Paris feels like home, despite language and culture differences.
Our safety hasn't been a concern to us, you just remain vigilante as you do anywhere.
My advice to any of you considering retirement you will know when the time is right. Do it with the minimal amount of notice you can. As once you've made that decision, the last place you want to be is work, Elvis has left the building!
Dallas