1. No problem filling time, gardening, reading, sleeping (as in siesta when necessary), serious walking, watch those films you've missed on dvd, listen to music + (Marty in the morning is excellent - Lyric FM), local library considers me a non paying major customer, south of Spain for several months off season marks our year, on free travel often go off to Dublin for breakfast, had lunch in Belfast once, often went to Waterford by train and returned to Cork on bus. Free Travel is great.
2. From work I miss most of the people there. The one's I don't miss are not worth missing. But, I must admit I miss many of my work colleagues and often meet them for coffee etc. But, any work I used to do is even gone from my mind.
3. I've made no secret of my low grade career in the public/civil service and my service as an unpaid trade union official. I must include this in my humorous memoirs which I'm writing for our grandchildren. My view on many people changed because of trade union activities (and not necessarily those in management). I'm under no illusion, my contribution to the service will not be remembered, I never was a Kevin Barry. My former employers owe me nothing, I owe them less.
4. Would I have done anything different in preparing for retirement:- Sure thing, I would. I should have retired from the public service before age 55 and gained employment in the private sector where I could have worked up enough SW contributions for a full SW Contributory pension.
5. Adjustments:- I had to make little or none, but our children (children-how-are-ya! they're all professionals and they had difficulty coming to terms with my retirement; this Leper is not a child minding service or a kennel service for their canine concerns). And you got to steel yourself against "Sure if you gave us a few bob now, you'd be relieved of worry later" - like I'm a cash cow waiting to be milked.
6. Major Concern:- Infection by Covid-19. I know in my late 60's I'm in the Waiting Room, but I ain't in a hurry to catch the express to the next world.
7. Good Resources:- Common Sense.
The above filled ten minutes at the start of my normal day.
Regards
Lep