end of year report

In keeping with a tradition begun by Samuel Pepys in his great diary, I offer today a brief look over my shoulder at the year ending and a glance ahead to the next one.

The year began with my knowing it would be my last year as a full time doctor. Having served 37 years of continuous, full time duty in the NHS, I feel I have earned at least to some extent my place in the sun. But the change of life has been much on my mind. Will I slip into the depression so commonly reported by people whose main function has been amputated? Or will I, like my father before me, relish my new freedom and in a few brief months describe myself as busier than I ever was before I retired? I hope so, but I am aware that all this is very much down to me, and no one else.

Financially I began the year on a very secure basis, and close out in what promises to be an even more secure one. The sale of my surgery building, my pension lump sum and a very good pension, plus the 18 grand pa I shall make continuing to work part time will ensure that whatever else my worries may constitute, they will not include money. And for that I am very grateful. I have never really worried about money, knowing that the security it offers is only a small part of the formula for happiness. Having said that, I would not ignore its importance. I always go by the following axiom:

"Life is like a shit sandwich: the thicker the bread, the less shit you taste"

As for buying a new house, I still intend to do this, but only when the right house comes on the market, and not before. If this takes more than a year, so be it.

Culturally, it has been a very good year. I have read 45 books (which I think is a personal record) and seen 90 films (also a record) In addition I have seen operas, plays and several other delights on the stage. I have written 5 short stories, some of which I flatter myself to believe are quite good and possibly publishable, given a bit more work on them.
My orincipal regret of 2010? Deleting my pictures from Belgium. Yes, I still feel burned by my stupidity over that.

My marriage has survived another year, despite the strains placed on it by her frequent trips to the West Bank and also her new found obsession with her latest toy, the iphone, which so often comes between us it is almost like having a lover living on-site. Seriously, she contines to be a sterling source of comfort and support to me as we both struggle to come to terms with the loss of our son 4 years ago. You go, girl! (but put the damn iphone down, now!)

My health has been largely good, with only 2 heavy colds, and, unusually, no chest infections. I have kept up my exercise programme, with about 80 "city hill-walks" and maybe 15 longer walks through the year, involving substantial ascents, to say nothing of the 80-plus hand-weight sessions. (I intend to do one as soon as I have finished this blog) The only real blot on the horizon is the continuing deterioration of my teeth. Next year I have 3 impants planned, at a cost of £2500 each. It will mean a lot of discomfort and general upset, but hopefully I shall live long enough to take advantage of my investment. Yesterday a report appeared in the Lancet suggesting as many as 20% of people currently alive and under 50 will live to see 100. As I am 60 rather than 50, and continue to smoke heavily, so it seems distinctly unlikely I will be one of them. But I could have 10 or even 20 years left to read, see movies, write and perhaps even make a small difference in the world.

I have had some very good holidays this year: city breaks in Brussels and Bruges, and Amsterdam. I have also had a great week in Ireland (though not our stay in the six counties; I do not recommend anyone to stay there unless they are fully prepared for the unwelcoming, unfriendly and downright hostile attitudes of the inhabitants)
Finally, our stay in the Holy Land in October must go down as one of my greatest trips: seeing the Old City of Jerusalem, swimming in the Dead Sea and performing my juggling show for the orphans of Bethlehem (well, some of them, anyway) which may not have been faultless, but nonetheless seemed to go down well enough with them. I shall continue to practise my circus skills in the knowledge that it is good for my mind, body and spirit, as well as being something I can use to entertain others, albeit at a strictly amateur level.

I'll be in touch next year. All the best for the New Year to everyone!