Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Saturday 19 December 2015

Waiting for the best Christmas present in years (1)

Despite all my good resolutions six weeks ago - regarding blogging - I haven't lived up to your and my expectations. The only excuse I have is that things have been so hectic lately ... at home, at work, and ... preparing early retirement!



In June, just after returning from Corfu, my employer announced that the 'departure plan' for senior employees had been extended to people born in 1957. Initially the plan was only accessible for those born in 1955 and 1956 ... which in my case was quite frustrating ... a bit like arriving on the platform seeing the train you wanted to be on pulling out of the station!

The message also mentioned that info sessions would be organized after the summer holidays and that all those concerned would receive a personal invitation. It was a long hot summer, during which we signed the deed on the sale of my family home. Another stressful and emotional moment.

In September the long-awaited invitation finally arrived and in the beginning of October I attended the info session. Things looked really promising and on October 21st I filled out the necessary forms and - following the required procedure - handed them over to the delegate of the Trade Union I have been a member of since 1990 ...

More to come ...

9 comments:

Carolyn said...

Don't make us wait, Martine! This is exciting.

Craig said...

Hmmm, intriguing Martine. Are you now a lady of leisure I wonder?

Susan said...

Hohoho! Take the money and run is my advice (you are clearly going to, so that's OK :))

chm said...

That's good news. Retirement at any age is such a pain in the neck. No more rushing in the morning to get to work on time. No more planing for time off, either for leisure or emergency. And on, and on and on... But, eventually, you get used to it!

Rhodesia said...

Sounds like good news to me. Have a great weekend Diane

GaynorB said...

Exciting news...hopefully! I completely agree it's CHM.
Very best wishes for Christmas and 2016. Xx

Leon Sims said...

Martine - we share the same anxieties at this time in our life. I'm passed retirement age but am in a transition towards the goal. I now work a 4 day week with one day from home as welll We move to the country in 4 weeks after the sale of our house so this might just help to break the ties with a working life.
I wish you all the luck with your endevours. We may just catch up next year (Nov) during our trip to Germany to see our son.

Ken Broadhurst said...

I think that very few people, toward the end of their life, think: "If only I'd spent more years working and more hours at the office." Having retired at age 53, I can assure you that retirement is not over-rated. Good luck.

ladybird said...

Carolyn, I know. It's exciting for me too, because I still don't know the outcome myself :)

Craig, not quite yet ... unfortunately. But there is hope.

Susan, It isn't as simple as that. Although that is what I would do if only possible.

Chm, I don't think it will take long to get used to. I remember in 2009, the first Friday I enjoyed my 80% work regime. That first day I almost felt guilty. The second I had already forgotten ...

Diane, Thank you. Soon (well that's relative of course) all days will be like weekends.

Gaynor, Thanks. I'm sure that by now you know how to make the most out of retirement ;) Merry Christmas to you and Tim too.

Leon, I have the same work regime as you and it fits me just fine. But I don't want it to go on for another 7 years ... Good luck with the move!

Ken, Thank you. I'll need it because the red tape is really ridiculous, time-consuming and nerve-wrecking.