I have owned my own company for the last 12 years. I am done. Everything I am doing right now is to make my company more salable. That will take me two years, which is about the life expectancy of my dog, Bear. Once Bear is gone, then the business will be gone right after. Unless someone makes me an offer between now and then that I cannot refuse.

Then.....everything goes into storage, and I will head out. It is unknown where I will be going or for how long. There will be no destinations, only journeys.

I will live my two great passions.

Motorcycling and Photography.

I shall spend as much of rest of my life that I can, working at wearing out motorcycle tires.

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The Journeys of Darla & Right back to the beginning

Some interesting reading and debates here..

Well I’ve been working for a large international company for the past 28 years. For the first 15 ish years the job was enjoyable as we worked close to the product (Aircraft Design and manufacture) and had plenty of hands on experience. Nowadays, everything is sub contracted out so we have basically become project managers and the focus seems to be more about producing pretty forceast charts and KPI’s + working to unrealistic timescales and budgets.

My move into management over 10 years ago seemed like a good idea at the time for career progression etc but looking back in hindsight, the stress and hassle wasn’t worth it. Yes it’s a good job with reasonable pay and final salary pension...BUT… do I enjoy it… the answer is NO.. but… I wouldn’t be able to pay the mortgage etc doing a job I’d enjoy but probably on a lot less money. (unless I can have Kradmelder’s job that is )

Luckily I’ve got a pretty understanding wife who lets me do the things I enjoy in my spare time . We planned that when the kids grow up we can do a lot more traveling on the bike together and see different parts of the world. Our kids are now 21 and 16…so by now we should have had a lot more freedom…. well that was until we adopted a young lad who we’d been fostering for a couple of years. So… our big plans are on hold for a while but seeing his smile and happiness everyday makes it all worthwhile . And on the plus side he loves the bike scene and has already been on a few rallys etc.. so hopefully I’ll have a long term future travelling companion with him as well

So back to the original question… I can’t say I truly enjoy my job but it’s safe and secure and allows me to lead a reasonable life and have fun on the way. Shiit happens at times but we adapt and move on. The thing I find really sad is when I attend many retirement presentations for people who dedicate their life to work and then retire with no hobbies or plans and end up passing away a year or two later. Life is too short for work work and no play.. so I try to plan the work life balance in the direction I want it to go.

Happy travels every one

Bones

You're a good man, Bones.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

I agree, a very good thread:
Here goes, I'll keep it short and not bore you to death:

Joined the Navy at 15, spent my first 3 years on a ship (HMS Hermoine), my last appraisal from my divisional officer was "Cowie is a stormy Scotsman who likes his women and his drink, I recommend him for the Submarine service!"

So after 21 years on subs I retired (with a small pension), started working offshore on a Seismic research vessel, worked on 5 ships in the CGG fleet, 5 weeks on 5 weeks off, good salary, worked all over the world, currently on the good ship Viking in the Gulf of Mexico, due home August 1st. Pretty busy at times, straight 35 12 hour shifts.

58 now, hopefully I can retire in 2 years and do some seroius touring.
Great wife of 35 years, 2 sons and 2 grandkids.

Been to a few HUBB and GSER meetings and met a fantastic bunch of people, too maany to mention.
Thank you to all that know me (and have tasted my wares)
Hope to see you soon.

Jake
Seisobs
2012 1200 GSA
1977 Norton 850 Commando
Distiller of a fine brand of rocket fuel

The reason why so many of us are discontent, is that we no longer feel much accomplishment. Society has moved too many of us into service oriented jobs. We no longer really create anything.

While motorcycle travel can be an escape, providing you leave your problems at home, the nitty gritty of 'what have you done lately' comes back to haunt us.

The book, "Shop Class As Soulcraft" by Matthew Crawford is a good read for understanding as to why so many of us lack enthusiasm.

How many of us find satisfaction in putting on that farkle bike modification or putting together a cook set/medical kit? Afterwards, there is the true joy of having accomplished something.

Due soon to retire, I am fortunate to have certain skills that can be used to help others. As much as I love the road, I'm sure that in time that too can get tiring without some goal in mind. That is what makes it a pilgrimage not just a ride.

Ok mythoughts.

I did like my job then I kind of got bored with it. It was a good job, reasonably stable and a good pension. But after éà years I was just going through the motions for the money.

About 6 weeks ago I left, now I am riding my motorcycle through Africa. It is new, very different and at the moment a bit overwhelming at times. But I have wanted to travel since before my job. For the moment I feel good just wandering, I was never really a money person and I think this helps. So now I have no job. In some ways I hope something comes along as I travel.

hopefully about to enjoy it a lot more!! 25 years as a nurse, the last 10 or so in the Emergency Department. Hate my job, hate the nobbers I have to deal with
BUT
just got a new job

start in Sept working for an Aeromed firm. Office based three days a week organising the medical side of getting people back to the UK who have managed to get sick or damage themselves. Outside of that if I want I can do the Aeromeds myself. Now, as I will be one of the people that allocates the jobs, that means I can send myself off on the jobs I fancy

Not exactly travelling free as a bird, but beats the crap out of the ED on a saturday night!!

Good luck to you moggy , hopefully I will joining you in a couple of months , if our hr dept can get its act together

what will you be doing Chris?

Well if i can get out by Oct , then off to Morocco for a month , then me and the mrs want to visit Grenada in Dec . I then want a little job till may / june when i will take off the whole summer and whizz off on the bike ............. what about you ??

It's been 6 months since I posted here & suddenly, things are moving on swiftly. Just 2 weeks ago, after a very low day at work, I had a heart to heart with my daughter & decided it was either go into work with a shotgun or leave. Since this isn't America, I'm quitting.

I only have to give 4 weeks notice and need my salary until the house is ready to rent out. A discovery of serious damp has made a massive hole in my budget and departure plans but work should start next week and I have a vague date of November

It's painful not being able to tell folk at work I'm leaving so I thought I'd post here instead

Currently, I plan to stay in NZ for 5-6 months investigating the job market and figuring out if I'd like to live there. If renting is working that'll do me for another 6 months. I'm not selling my bike in the UK and already have a bike in NZ so who knows where I go from there....

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Elaine

Striving to live the ordinary life in a non ordinary way

Well if you dont do it , then you will never know Good on you , whats the worse that could happen ......................... Answers on a post card

Phoenix, I know the feeling..

Its very easy for folk to say "just do it"..

Life is seldom that simple.

Leaving a job,career or other normalities behind does require some thought and planning. The reality for most of us is that we will return to our homes and need jobs, places to live or whatever etc.

A wise man once told me..

"Its like a game of chess"..

You need have all your pieces in place and a well thought out strategy before risking your Queen on a checkmate manoeuvre..

It makes a lot of sense if you think about it..

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

depends where the aeromed takes me!!

hopefully next year though we will be doing our first proper family trip, now the truck rebuild is finished and my daughter is old enough (4). thinking probably Romania. I would like to do morocco but want to do Romania while it is still Romania, before it goes the way of Poland and becomes like Germany! I don't think Morocco will be changing quite so quickly so may do that the year after.

A lifetime of trips rather than the trip of a lifetime

I'm in the public eye 24/7, generally I enjoy my work as It is important and necessary. However, as I age many things are more important; meeting new people away from my profession, seeing new places, travel on my motorcycle and at times, simply sitting quietly watching humming birds. ;-)