Earlier this morning was about as good as it gets weather and reserve wise, one to be thoroughly enjoyed. Under clear blue skies with no breeze at all, it was already very warm, hot even, by 8.00 and the reserve looked beautiful. Everywhere was a mass of butterflies fluttering to and fro across the grazing meadows, Meadow Browns, Small Heaths, Small and Essex Skippers, and a few Red Admirals, Peacocks and Painted Ladies, it was amazing.
But I'm jumping forward, before that, between 6.00 and 7.00, our four-man Parish Council Speedwatch Team, of which I am one, carried out one of our weekly sessions recording speeding motorists along one of six stretches of police assessed roads around the parish. The speed limit on the stretch of road that we did today is 30mph and we record the details of motorists travelling at 35mph and over. We recorded 54 speeding motorists - that's almost one a minute! - and some were doing 45mph and more.
Lastly, today is my 70th birthday and time to reflect on how being 70 and over these days is so different to how I saw it when I was much younger. Today many, if not most of us, get to 70 looking and feeling pretty fit, looking allegedly, good for our age. Blimey, when I was in my 20's or 30's, looking forward to people in their 70's they always seemed to be old and frail, in wheel chairs and pissing themselves all the time. Yet nowadays most of us get to this age, still very active, walking, cycling, still getting a "leg over" now and then and testament to the modern day fit and healthy pensioner.
I have to admit that July 4th 1947 seems a bloody long way ago but I'm really chuffed to have got here still doing what I do and although the next decade will probably be a long road on a downward slope, life is pretty good at the moment.
Many Happy Returns Derek! I hope that I can also get to 70 with as much physical and mental wellbeing as you enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, it's just a matter of keeping, keeping on, but I won't be running any marathons.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that abstinence isn't part of your active life strategy? Happy 70th Birthday Derek - I'll raise a glass when I get in from work tonight. Cheers! Dyl
ReplyDeleteRest assured Dyl. abstinence does exist in my life, wine in particular plus real ale and rum, have always featured quite strongly in my daily life.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Derek! Dennis is only 18 months behind you and the 2 of you make late 60s look good. My Grandmother at 70 was a frail old thing, barely tottering along while my Mother (her daughter) at 70 was winning 5K walks in her age category - what a difference in one generation. As we used to say (over here, anyway) keep on keepin' on. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Wilma, ye, we're a new and fit generation.
ReplyDeleteYou have many years left yet derek
ReplyDeleteAs long as I remain active in them I look forward to them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Derek and in the words of Spencer "keep on running"
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday Derek. Can't we be treated to a photograph on your 70th birthday? (a photo of you I mean).
ReplyDeleteIt did cross my mind Pat but I haven't any taken in the last year but I'll endeavour to correct that over the next few weeks - will it be for your wall?
ReplyDeleteHealth and age are two different things. And downhill depends on what metaphor you use. Downhill or uphill to 80? Remember what the Irish say - may the road rise to meet you. Here's to the next 70.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the road rising to meet me Sidney, meeting halfway sounds a much better way of experiencing the next decade.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending this message from holiday in Lanzarote. Belated birthday greetings Derek and congratulations on reaching the ripe young age of seventy!
ReplyDeleteThanks YP, enjoy the holiday, probably just as hot here in sunny Kent
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