Retirement at last

Oh yes thermal undies definitely!
Have a good look around at all the possibilities. You might find a volunteering opportunity which really suits you. Think about what you wanted to do when you were younger but never had time then see if there is a way you can do it. Lots of organisations offer short courses in all sorts of things U3A of course. Don't commit to things at first just try them out. There are local walking groups and all sorts of other groups.
But the best thing is the waking up and knowing you only have to do things because you choose to. Enjoy!!!

Thanks Trisher I intend to. One other thing I can now do is get an open return train ticket when I visit my family because I don't have to be back for work, which means I can stay and look after my GDs for longer. Great!!!!

Glad you are enjoying life Mischief
If you want something to read in the afternoons (something I still struggle to give myself permission to do, four years into retirement) can I recommend Barbara Pym's Quartet in Autumn, a funny/sad novel about four colleagues entering retirement. I like all Barbara Pym's novels but I think that's one of the most thought-provoking ones, and many of her observations very astute.

I know what you mean about given yourself permission to read during the day. I have always been in the habit of reading in bed, then dropping off to sleep. It is one of the things I am looking forward to but I always feel I should be doing something during the day. I think that when the weather gets colder I'm more likely to pull a chair in front of the open fire and curl up with a good book, then I should be OK. You suggestion sounds interesting and I'll take a look. Thanks

Retired now for 10 years. I get up by 6.30 "work" until lunch then allow myself my time for the rest of the day. This might be reading or crafty stuff or tv or in summer sitting in sun anything I fancy really. Of course this is only on days I am in of course!

Mischief, I don't think AnnSixty is right in saying you need to be on pension credit to qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme.

When you Google those words and the info comes up, you'll see a list of the different energy companies which are in the scheme.

I picked one at random to see what the qualifying criteria are, and there are lots of permutations. If you're neither on Guarantee Credit nor Savings Credit, the company info I looked at (first:utility) said 'If your household has an annual income of less than £16,190 and you or your partner is 60 or over'
(you'll qualify.)

Just take a look - there's a good chance you might get the warm home discount money as well as your winter fuel payment.

I have reduced our electricity bill by more than half by changing suppliers.

I found that not needing to have so many clothes for going to work was a great money saver - you need far fewer once retired and initially I found I seemed to have loads!