The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
Perhaps a bit like sex in youngsters minds. People over 70 doing such a thing. Too awful to contemplate. Well I still do a bit of both you know. Well this introspective account springs from the fact that somebody said that I ought to start a Facebook sub group for us vigorous over 70 cavers and sexual exponents. Here is a dictionary definition. " A person who demonstrates a particular skill to a high standard." Yes I will stick with exponent though I might say that caving is the more regular. Yes I try to get it once a week. The caving that is.
So how many folks on here are regular cavers over 70 ? The demographic interests me as I presume most cavers to be in the 50 - 65 range. ( Perhaps I don't get to the pub enough ). More to the point how many youngsters here expect to be caving over 70. Its pot luck you know. (To employ a caving pun.) All in the genes or whatever . Some people are dead by 70 or in a care home. Take me for instance. The eldest of three brothers. One died of prostate cancer aged 60. ( cycled to work and did not smoke or drink ). The youngest is diabetic with Dupytrons disease. ( I might have spelt that wrong ). Anyway the finger tendons shrink making grip difficult so not good in caves. ( I did take the dear fellow to The Frozen Deep . ) Yes pot luck indeed. Oh I try to do all of the right things. No alcohol, Weight only half a stone more than it was 40 years ago.
Well you do have to watch certain things whilst caving at my age. Keeping at the right pace is important. I also worry about getting stuck as I may not have the energy reserve to get out. ( As I found recently ). Having " The Passion " is important. Currently it is to find "The Cheddar Master Cave" ( We have two remote chances ). Not that Lady Luck has been unkind to me over my 55 years of caving. To be honest I have already had my fair share of finds. The photography helps. It is an extra incentive to do something. I also do a lot of landscape stuff . I have developed a deep revulsion of television ( "The Fool's Lantern "). Most things on it are an insult to one's intelligence.So here I am tapping away when I could be watching Emmerdale. Yes about an hour a day is enough of that thing.
I always say that caving is a big part of my social life and my weekly visit to the gym. ( I don't much care for them either. If you are going to break into a sweat at least have a purpose. Back to the sex again though as I said I do have to pace myself ). I was a deep diver for 25 years and constantly asked myself when will I know when to give it up ? Oh you will know said SWMBO ( Ayesha ). Funny thing I did. Three bad bends in a row put an end to that game nor was I sorry. How to evaluate the caving at 70 plus I know not. Hopefully not another rock on me from my " friends " It's never my fault you know. I suppose I will just fade away as I approach the Seventh Age of Man. Hang on I am already there.
So how many folks on here are regular cavers over 70 ? The demographic interests me as I presume most cavers to be in the 50 - 65 range. ( Perhaps I don't get to the pub enough ). More to the point how many youngsters here expect to be caving over 70. Its pot luck you know. (To employ a caving pun.) All in the genes or whatever . Some people are dead by 70 or in a care home. Take me for instance. The eldest of three brothers. One died of prostate cancer aged 60. ( cycled to work and did not smoke or drink ). The youngest is diabetic with Dupytrons disease. ( I might have spelt that wrong ). Anyway the finger tendons shrink making grip difficult so not good in caves. ( I did take the dear fellow to The Frozen Deep . ) Yes pot luck indeed. Oh I try to do all of the right things. No alcohol, Weight only half a stone more than it was 40 years ago.
Well you do have to watch certain things whilst caving at my age. Keeping at the right pace is important. I also worry about getting stuck as I may not have the energy reserve to get out. ( As I found recently ). Having " The Passion " is important. Currently it is to find "The Cheddar Master Cave" ( We have two remote chances ). Not that Lady Luck has been unkind to me over my 55 years of caving. To be honest I have already had my fair share of finds. The photography helps. It is an extra incentive to do something. I also do a lot of landscape stuff . I have developed a deep revulsion of television ( "The Fool's Lantern "). Most things on it are an insult to one's intelligence.So here I am tapping away when I could be watching Emmerdale. Yes about an hour a day is enough of that thing.
I always say that caving is a big part of my social life and my weekly visit to the gym. ( I don't much care for them either. If you are going to break into a sweat at least have a purpose. Back to the sex again though as I said I do have to pace myself ). I was a deep diver for 25 years and constantly asked myself when will I know when to give it up ? Oh you will know said SWMBO ( Ayesha ). Funny thing I did. Three bad bends in a row put an end to that game nor was I sorry. How to evaluate the caving at 70 plus I know not. Hopefully not another rock on me from my " friends " It's never my fault you know. I suppose I will just fade away as I approach the Seventh Age of Man. Hang on I am already there.