My 30 Day Blog Challenge, Day 3

The question we must answer in today's 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

"What’s your definition of freedom in business and adventure in life?"

One of the more unusual things I did this year, was to photograph

camel wrestling in Bodrum, Turkey, with photographer Arjen Zwart.

This year I have been to the Upper Hunter Valley in Australia, to spend time with family; to Bodrum, Turkey, to photograph camel wrestling; to Crete on a tour of archeological sites; to Southern Bulgaria, looking for evidences of Ottoman history; to Lake Maggiore in Italy (twice) to visit family; to Manchester, England for a wedding; and taken numerous photography treks throughout Istanbul; - and I still have more places to go before the year ends. So my definition of freedom in business, is to be able to go to wherever, whenever I want, and still manage to make an income sufficient enough to support my lifestyle. To do this I will have to set up my business in such a way that it can be run from anywhere, otherwise it wouldn't be viable!

As to the adventure aspect, my life is one long adventure, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Hopefully my lifestyle will inspire other retirees to get up off the couch, and explore the world, while they still have the time and energy to enjoy it.

My 30 Day Blog Challenge, Day 2

The question we have to answer today on the 30 Day Blog Challenge is:

"If you woke up tomorrow and were free to do anything you wanted with your life, what would you do and who would you be?"

As I sit here looking out at the sun setting over Lake Maggiore in Northern Italy, I couldn't want a better life than than the one I have. I love my nomadic lifestyle, so I would want that to continue. I am fortunate in that I wake up every morning a happy person, and I would like to share that happiness with others. My goal is to earn enough residual income, through writing and photography, to enjoy a comfortable life-style that will enable me to keep travelling to the end.

I am no longer young, but, in a way, that gives me an advantage. I could be an educator. I would like to help other retirees find enjoyment in life, and show them how they can live wherever they choose, while earning the means to do so. Retirement shouldn't be the end, but a new beginning in life, with the freedom and resources to enjoy it.

What do you think about my idea? Do you think it is possible, or just a pipe dream? Let me know in the comments space below. I would be interested in your observations.

My 30 Day Blog Challenge, Day 1

Many people ask me about the curious name of my blog; why Geriatric Gapper? When I called myself that, I didn't realise that a 'gap year' is not a universal term. In the UK, students often take a 'gap year' between school and university. It is a sort of coming of age, where they might go travelling, engage in some sort of work experience, or volunteer to work for a charity. My gap year came about after a lifetime of working as a teacher in international schools in many countries, the last one in Turkey. To celebrate our retirement, my husband and I embarked on  a journey to visit friends and relatives living in far flung places. For us, this was a sort of gap year before we decided how, and where, to spend our retirement. We were obviously no longer young, so the Geriatric Gappers we became. (Although my husband balked at the term 'geriatric!)

I began my blog in July 2007, as a way of letting my three daughters know where we were and what we were doing. We travelled From Istanbul to England, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Thailand, spending a few months in each place. It was when we hit Thailand, and helped some friends who were running a teacher recruitment fair, that my husband was offered a job back in Istanbul! So his retirement was deferred, and I got to enjoy the freedom of that wonderful city!

By now, we had one daughter in England (now moved to Italy), one in South Africa, and one in Australia. So I kept up the blog for them, and anyone else who might be interested. Having daughters on 3 continents means I get to travel a lot, as I visit them all every year whenever possible. My blog was especially important for them as, through my photos, they got to see how their sisters were living.
  
So now comes the big question, "Why have I joined the 30 Day Blog Challenge" set up by Natalie Sisson of The Suitcase Entrepreneur? I joined because after 6 years of blogging, I have just 23 followers on my blog. I know this started as a personal blog, specifically for my children, but I feel it has become so much more, and I do intend to start a more professional blog very soon. My purpose in these 30 days will be to learn as much as possible, and start my new blog with a bang! This blog, however, will not go out with a whimper, as it is an important record of our family life, so I will continue this one too. See you tomorrow!

A Wedding in Manchester, England

Catherine and Michael, the happy couple.

We recently made a flying trip to Manchester, England, for a family wedding. It was great fun catching up with some of the family, and we all had a wonderful time. The nuptial mass was held at St Cuthbert's Church, Withington, followed by a reception at Nunsmere Hall, a beautiful old Edwardian Mansion in Cheshire.

The bridesmaids entered first, led by Christina, the Matron of Honour...

...followed by Catherine with Bernard her proud father.

 

The mass begins in St Cuthbert's

Presenting Dr and Mrs Michael Edwards, the gorgeous couple!

The happy groomsmen gave them a resounding send-off...

...as they toasted each other in champagne...

...and then drove away in this amazing car!

Reg, Clare, Lauren and David, ready to party!

Kevin shows how to open a bottle of champagne, using a sword,
with one deft flick of the wrist.

"We are family"; Lauren, Shayna, Clare and Sarah

Sarah and Zane toast the bride and groom.

Patricia and Tim; we are so looking forward to their wedding in November!

Steven, Lauren and Casey. They travelled all the way from Laos

to celebrate Catherine's wedding.

The next generation! Jessica, Kyran, Casey and Finley

Margy and Bernard, very happy parents!

Henry and Katherine, Mikey's parents.

The cutting of the cake...

...and the happy couple get to dance together, at last!

All in all, this was a wonderful day, full of happiness and laughter, and one we shall never forget! Congratulations Cath and Mikey, you make a wonderful couple. May you always be as happy as you were on this day!