Daily Mail

26th July 2008

Max Hastings

"  I am 62, and find life terrific. I get more work done than ever
before, because my children have long ago left home and I remain fit.
I take pills to keep my blood pressure down and waterworks
functioning.

My wife suffers from arthritis and assorted other conditions, so we
tease each other about whether it is time for my medication or hers.
But we can still ride, play tennis (except against our children) and
climb low level mountains. My only unfulfilled ambition is to own an
enormous model railway.  "

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1038717/MAX-HASTINGS-Growing-old-Britain-happy-experience-The-longer-live-worse-quality-life-becomes.html


Being old is OK if you have the money spare to enjoy yourselves.

I have come across many men, and some women, in their 70's & 80's at
various model train exhibitions and displays who are still active in
the mind and body.  Their hobby keeps them active in both mind & body.

The men & women who used to work in the days of steam will soon, in
relative terms, be gone. Their experiences lost, gone forever.  You
can read books, watch a video and look at old photo's but being told
of a railway journey whilst on the foot plate by a person who did that
for many years is something not to be missed.

The old haunts of these people are also fast disappearing into theme
pubs or bars.

During my travels as a Building QS I  always use to enjoy a quiet pint
with a group of locals telling tales.  Pilots & ground crew in Norfolk
and Lincolnshire telling of their days in the RAF or the rail men of
Crewe or Derby. I even met a chap who used to design the models for
JCB in timber.

Chris