To be frank, I'm not really settling into my new status very well.

In the past, when I had nothing to do, that's exactly what I did - nothing! - and I've spent a lifetime being quite comfortable with the concept. Much as I appreciated a rest, it rarely lasted very long as I've always been fortunate enough to have enjoyed some sort of employment. So, the period of inactivity didn't last too long.

Now, however, the prospect is that it will last for ever.

My retirement started in November and, in the few weeks leading up to the festive season, there seemed to be plenty to occupy my time. Over the Christmas and New Year period, for example, I was reasonably active during my younger son and his girlfriend's visit and this continued during the week when I was driving my elder son around on his recent UK tour.

Since then, however, I've found it difficult to become enthusiastic about almost anything. Even the 'new' accordion hasn't been played as much as I might have hoped because family and neighbours have been confined to their homes with various ailments - thus depriving me of the solitude which I felt was necessary (I certainly wouldn't enjoy listening to someone learning a musical instrument as loud as mine).

To add to my unease at doing too much 'nothing', southern England is experiencing a harsher winter than is usual; so, I'm not getting very much excercise. Roll on the spring when I can look forward to a few holes of golf.

There is a small positive to emerge, however, because I've managed to use the time I've on my hands to set about knocking some rough edges of parts my web-site. In particular (since I've just discovered how to 'crop' photographs) I've added or amended several pictures to the Military section as well as continuing with the Model Life theme.

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