I am into my third year on my own and starting to enjoy life again. My old friends and fellow residents form a large part of the extended family who offer great support day-by-day, and I do my bit to return their kindness. For the moment my health is good, and I try to take active steps to keep it that way.

Being in a retirement village is no hindrance to continuing activities in the world ‘outside’. Cycling, line dancing, aqua aerobics, walking and fitness classes take up a lot of my time and give me valuable exercise. I exercise my brain playing mahjong and keeping abreast of technological developments for my regular presentations to fellow residents. Mahjong and other card games challenge my brain to keep active. Managing and researching investments for my super fund is another great brain exercise and brings me into contact with fellow independent investors with whom I socialise a lot either online or in person. My old university mates join me in a Zoom every fortnight which is also a great social occasion.

I have been Covid free this year although I have had a couple of bouts of virus infections which thankfully had no lasting effects. Through the year I have been listening and watching podcasts from leading nutrition scientists. This has led to me adopting a new approach to eating. Essentially, I now adopt a sugar-free low carbohydrate approach to eating with similarities to the Mediterranean diet. At the same time, I heed the modern scientific nutrition findings and have adopted time restricted eating. This eliminates breakfast, and I eat only between noon and 7 pm. Almost immediately after I found avoiding all sugar and ultra processed foods stopped the craving for food freeing up my gut microbiome for 16 hours a day. Along with adopting the daily AG1 green powder multi-supplement I feel more alert and energetic with much better gut health and a balanced metabolism that allows me to sleep well.

In probably my last trip to Tasmania for some time I had a lightning visit staying in my favourite Launceston hotel, the Peppers Silo. The weather was superb with blue skies and mid 20s every day. One of the days I did the long 550 km return drive to visit Margot’s ashes I spread in Eggs and Bacon Bay last year. It was a poignant visit which brought back happy memories of over 30 years ago.

Peppers Silo, Launceston

Eggs and Bacon Bay Beach, near the Huon estuary

Marian, my Christmas travelling companion, and I are about to embark on the Great Southern train that travels from Brisbane to Adelaide over 4 days and 3 nights. It uses the luxurious locos and rolling stock used by the Darwin to Adelaide Ghan train during other months of the year. We get side trips in the Hunter Valley and Melbourne. After a 2-day trip to Kangaroo Island we spend Christmas Day lunch in a hotel before flying home after a couple of days. At least this year I get a train trip.

In the middle of 2024, I have booked a long-awaited return to the UK after 21 years’ absence to visit old haunts and meet up with friends. I will take this opportunity to visit my sister in Santa Barbara en route for another long-awaited reunion. I suspect these might be my last long-distance flights as I am likely to fall back on the convenience of cruising in the years to come.

I send all my friends my best wishes for the festive season, and health and happiness for the new year to come.

Michael

12 December 2023

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For family history from previous years see the Family Rees Sway site.