It is a year ago today that I signed up to the process that led to me leaving work. It wasn’t until April 7th that I actually left, so strictly speaking I have only had 8 months in my brave new world, but on his day, a year ago, the countdown began.
I don’t regret a day of the 33 years I worked at e2v. The skills I gained, the experiences I had, and friends made are a part of me. The experience has also left me a lifetime supporter of apprenticeships. By that I mean real apprenticeships, where trades are learnt and college attended, not some of the modern apprenticeships that satisfy government targets and deliver cheap labour at £3:30 an hour. I am proud that e2v still offers the type of quality apprenticeships that will set youngsters up for life.
The last 8 months have flown past. I have been able to do things I didn’t previously have the time for: growning more vegetables, making things on my new forge, spending more time beekeeping, starting a weekly wood carving class, learning some new craft skills, giving some talks and demonstrations, and completing some of the long awaited jobs on our 1933 Austin 7. I have also given a lot more time to my role as a Parish Councillor.
What I haven’t learnt yet is how to relax a little more. I have read a few more books (previously a holiday luxury), but it isn’t in my nature to laze around. Daytime TV remains a mystery to me and please someone shoot me if I show signs of sitting down in front of Jeremy Kyle.
One thing is clear, I would not have been able to do this without the full support of my wife.
So here’s to the rest of my life and now I must go. The sun is out and I need to finish the audit of our beekeeping equipment supplies, to see what we need to restock in the winter sale. I then have a Parish Highways Committee meeting and after than our Austin Seven Christmas party. I also have to do some designs for a glass fusion course we are doing tomorrow.
Who has time for work?