Age of Forum Users
- Thread starter mrodoc
- Start date
Although there are still "kids" out there doing it, as shown by the number of UrbEx websites, they just don't need clubs - thanks to the proliferation of info available online. I didn't join a club until my late 30s, by which time I had been getting underground for 15 years. However, they aren't in the same numbers that got into the "sport" in the 2nd half of the 20th century...
Mike
Mike
tony from suffolk
Well-known member
It's heartening to read about folks of my age and older who've managed to keep caving for all these years. I really enjoy reading about your adventures underground and seeing the great photos you've posted. Alas, I can only be with you in spirit nowadays; I had intended to carry on caving until I dropped, but the sudden onset of rheumatoid arthritis put an end to that. Thanks to modern medicine I'm relatively symptom-free, and spend lots of time walking in the Lake District, but a couple of joint replacements preclude me from contemplating serious caving again. Envious? well, maybe a teensy bit sometimes. I really get why Old Ruminator enjoys his weekly digging expeditions and hope they continue for many more years. I shall be following progress in all things caving from the comfort of my armchair.
Laurie
Active member
Mountains have always been my life. Caving came along because some mountains have holes in them. Since an early age (I lied about it to get into Wolf Cubs) I was physically hyper-active. I cycled everywhere. clinbed everything that went up and dived or crawled everything that went down. By the time I reached 60 I was having serious joint and energy problems. Explaining my life-style to my doc. he responded, "What do you expect? You've worn yourself out!"
What happened to 'Stay active and live a long and healthy life'? Surgery on my back has helped with my ability to walk but hasn't got rid of my chronic backache and I need 5 minutes rest after 15 minutes of doing anything active.
I was really looking forward to my retirement and being able to do all those things I never had time for.
Ten years in and I've not climbed a single mountain.
Medical science never warns you about over doing it.
What happened to 'Stay active and live a long and healthy life'? Surgery on my back has helped with my ability to walk but hasn't got rid of my chronic backache and I need 5 minutes rest after 15 minutes of doing anything active.
I was really looking forward to my retirement and being able to do all those things I never had time for.
Ten years in and I've not climbed a single mountain.
Medical science never warns you about over doing it.
lancscaver
New member
kay said:lancscaver said:
I find it quite cheering to read a "grumpy old man" rant from someone young enough to be my son
Ha Ha
I always was older and and old man for my age!
cooleycr
Active member
And this is why I am taking redundancy at the end of this month while I am still young enough and fit enough to do all the things I want to do, rather than carrying on working so that I can 'afford' a decent retirement..
By cutting my cloth I will have a good life and get to enjoy it...
I would encourage everybody to take a good hard look at how much money they actually need to exist and then see if they need to carry on working..
You may well be able to leave a lot sooner than you thought!
By cutting my cloth I will have a good life and get to enjoy it...
I would encourage everybody to take a good hard look at how much money they actually need to exist and then see if they need to carry on working..
You may well be able to leave a lot sooner than you thought!
Kenilworth
New member
Laurie said:
It's knowing how to live, not affording it. It doesn't take much
pwhole
Well-known member
My income has wavered around the national poverty level for much of my life, and I have a pretty good time most of the time, but then I only have to look after myself. When I got a 'proper job' for a few years, I immediately got into debt, which I'll be probably be paying off for the rest of my life. Hey ho.
The Old Ruminator
Well-known member
cooleycr said:
Too right.
My company had to adjust to the new rules imposed by The Financial Services Act which ultimately killed off our industry. They started an intensive training course for us to qualify. At age 50 I had to learn all of their stupid acronyms ( why does it always come to that ? ). I passed the first exam of three stages. Then I learned that I had to go to Stroud ( of all places ) for a weeks further intensive residential course. Two more exams with loads of stupid acronyms. I flatly refused to go so they said that I would be sacked. ( Frustration of Contract ). I resigned after going through a rather pointless leaving interview. I took up a job helping somebody with a gardening business. He paid minimum wages but it was fun and improved my fitness. I learned early to provide for an age over 50 , minimise dept and make the house maintenance free. Now 20 years later I never regretted that move though I missed redundancy when the company shut down three years after I left. Always remember that work is the thief of time. Your time.
nearlywhite
Active member
These posts are beginning to read like obituaries...