Hobbies for the middle aged man

[BrianW]

You can get a membership at Lancashire CCC, which will occupy many days during the long summer months. Outdoors, often in amiable (or interesting) company, with food and drink available. You can also follow the second XI or go to away matches. That would be half the year taken up. I don't think I ever met anyone at a cricket match that I disliked, apart from the odd mouthy rag, but you get some wonderful eccentrics.

I did it myself for some years, and found it agreeable, but decided I was spending too much time away from my missus. I am rather fond of her company! I often found following the second XI to obscure grounds more fun than following the county team, but I am weird like that.

 

[willipp]

Yeah i partly jest. The one thing ive struggled to replace is playing footy. I stopped playing at a reasonably high level 4/5 years ago and ive never replaced that. Vets just doesnt quite interest me for some reason.
And no other sport that im physically able to do can replace that team work, the physicality , the pints after.

My life is passed over to the kids for now but i know, as i have an older son, that the time flies and you arent needed in the same way.
Not one for sitting around the house so ive got 3/4 Years to come up with a hobby i like

I'm a similar age to you i think and have two relatively young kids and wife. Stopped playing footy in my mid 30's at a fairly decent level and always missed it. Last 18 months i've started playing vets footy and love it. Not for the standard or anything like that, but for the love of just playing and the crack with a bunch of lads, few pints every now and then and just something away from family for me. Also play 5 a side in a league once a week which keeps me relatively fit and then a vets game once a month. I try and run as well though struggle in the winter but that helps me get out for maybe 30 minutes 2/3 times a week with a footy podcast on and just some time alone which i enjoy.

 

[hammocity]

Most of my pals play but its more a physical thing why i cant. My job is pretty tough on the shoulders and i suffer with pulled shoulder muscles a lot. Im not sure swinging a club about will help.
Im always aware im missing out when they are playing as a group but with work i just cant see it every happening

I understand that, my best mate of 53 years was a window fitter, he suffered from back, neck and shoulder problems but now at the age of 63 he works a couple of days a week and the golf keeps his mind and body in check, I know you’re younger but it’s a great game to play, however like everything in life it’s what you make of it.

 

[kinkyblue]

At the minute I have just over a year left on my mortgage, so when that is paid off I am thinking of buying a two bed apartment that I can use initially for a three week break in June and ten days or two weeks in September, with family and close friends using it July and August, then in about 7 or 8 years retiring over there.

Due to the attacks on my wages and pension over the last 12 years, I could exist here, however with much lower cost of living (utilities, internet, food, drink, etc) I could live there.

With the internet now, I could watch any of the programmes I watch here, could download the same books I read here, but during the summer, relax on the balcony with the morning coffee, or sometimes dinner al-fresco with a glass of something set.
During the winter, walks along the seafront, visit the UNESCO world heritage site at Nessebar when not crowded with thousands of tourists etc.
Going for three weeks in June to see how I feel about a complex, but so far it is ticking every box as a longish term plan.
I see nothing here to keep me, as I would just be vegetating in the house reading books and watching wildlife documentaries, so can do that and have enough money to eat out a couple of times a week as well in BG

Friend of mi e owns a couple of apartments there and a place inland, also runs an airport transfer service there. He splits his time between Uk and Bulgaria, lives the place

 

[hammocity]

You can get a membership at Lancashire CCC, which will occupy many days during the long summer months. Outdoors, often in amiable (or interesting) company, with food and drink available. You can also follow the second XI or go to away matches. That would be half the year taken up. I don't think I ever met anyone at a cricket match that I disliked, apart from the odd mouthy rag, but you get some wonderful eccentrics.

I did it myself for some years, and found it agreeable, but decided I was spending too much time away from my missus. I am rather fond of her company! I often found following the second XI to obscure grounds more fun than following the county team, but I am weird like that.

I used to have a season ticket at Lancashire in the Members area at Lancs in the 1980’s, only really went to the 40 overs Sunday games (John Player league I think). There was 4 of us who went regular but one of the lads couldn’t make it so I asked my mate who wasn’t really into cricket to come along. He turned up in a pair of white trousers, a stripy Daks jacket and a colourful Fedora. He looked the part, so we’re sat in the members and a couple of hours in after a beer or two he pulls out the biggest spliff I’ve ever seen and smoked it right there, fuck me it was funny seeing the looks on the faces of the regular, older members, he told one of them who glared at him it was just a “roll up”. He’s still with us but doesn’t do beer or weed anymore but gave us a good laugh that day.

 

[Bluesince1979]

I'm a similar age to you i think and have two relatively young kids and wife. Stopped playing footy in my mid 30's at a fairly decent level and always missed it. Last 18 months i've started playing vets footy and love it. Not for the standard or anything like that, but for the love of just playing and the crack with a bunch of lads, few pints every now and then and just something away from family for me. Also play 5 a side in a league once a week which keeps me relatively fit and then a vets game once a month. I try and run as well though struggle in the winter but that helps me get out for maybe 30 minutes 2/3 times a week with a footy podcast on and just some time alone which i enjoy.

Time alone? What the fucks that!

 

[willipp]

Time alone? What the fucks that!

I know, but seriously helps. We all need it.

 

[bluemoon32]

I started playing Pétanque, its a good laugh & gets me out and about

 

[Bluesince1979]

I know, but seriously helps. We all need it.

My days split in 2 today and ive 2 hours before i get back out again. Just got home and no one in! Heaven

 

[Uncle Wally One Ball]

You can get a membership at Lancashire CCC, which will occupy many days during the long summer months. Outdoors, often in amiable (or interesting) company, with food and drink available. You can also follow the second XI or go to away matches. That would be half the year taken up. I don't think I ever met anyone at a cricket match that I disliked, apart from the odd mouthy rag, but you get some wonderful eccentrics.

I did it myself for some years, and found it agreeable, but decided I was spending too much time away from my missus. I am rather fond of her company! I often found following the second XI to obscure grounds more fun than following the county team, but I am weird like that.

Umpiring would be something to consider. I recently did an ECB coaching course to train age groups for when my knees finally go and I cant play anymore. Will also keep me busy in the week over spring and summer in between our league games.