Age is just a number

Yes it is just a number. I decided I was young to forget about it and concentrate on what I can still do and enjoy.
Then I realised I'm going to be 80 in 7 months time.
So need to concentrate even harder on forgetting .
Other thing is to mix with other "can do" people.
Also I don't want to get in to competitive ageing. Some people have difficult health issues to contend with and shortage of funds.

When my son was about 25 he went on holiday (Malta I think, but it doesn’t matter) on a cheap ‘get me a cancellation tomorrow’ basis and ended up making up the numbers in a large group of much older people (more like his grandparents). They took him in and he said he had a great time talking to them and doing things he would never usually do. He tasted port and lemon for the first time and learned to play Canasta 😀

I only wish i'd been with you wwm.
It sounds great fun and liberating.

I miss my DMIL who at 98 was still able to enjoy her life. Her politics changed over the years and she liked to shock people with her views.

Yes these folk are inspirational.

How lovely WW.

The only time we’ve really clicked with a couple on holiday was two years ago. It was a couple of young women (married) in their twenties - 45 years younger than us!

We just started chatting in a cafe and hit it off. We danced & sang into the night with them💃🏻🕺 They were just lovely, interesting people.

We did have similar political views although, as with you, politics didn’t dominate the conversation - it was just part of the overall chit chat.

I wonder if they think of us as the ‘lively, older couple’. I do hope so🤣🤣🤣

Brilliant WWM- a wonderful example of ageing and retaining a zest for life.
I'd like that to be me if/ when I reach that age.

You should have seen the elderly gents we were with last weekend whizzing round a huge garden on the ride on railway. Well into their 80s and having a great time. Mind you watching them try to get off was very funny

I was “inviting” other examples of how to live well
I got that, Whitewavemark2, and I'm here in France doing exactly the same as you with friends I've known for 50 years, we're all old!
The difference for me is, you said ^ the SAME politics^ as though you wouldn't have enjoyed your time with say people who didn't share the same politics as you.
What I mean is, my French friends are very different politically, but it doesn't matter a jot, it's friendship that counts.
Anyway, we're off for a bike ride together now, so we're going to live well dangerously. And I'd better remember whether I'm a rightie or leftie on the French roads. 😆
A potentially good thread here! Cheer up!

Aw don’t be dismayed WWM2 over our simple small difference of opinion - holidays and meeting new folks is the be all of my life and don’t let anything spoil that x

The politics probably took up 2 minutes of our time in total You know when you “click” with someone. But I am dismayed at the reaction to my OP. Why concentrate on one little side line rather than the thrust of the OP, which is to say that age is just a number and love of life and living it to the full does not stop. I was “inviting” other examples of how to live well, not grumpiness which says it all really!

So weird.

One of the joys of travelling and holidaying is meeting new people.

I am pleased you enjoyed your holiday Whitewavemark2

🍋 🍋🤣. Your post was uplifting indeed WWM2 and I too met some marvellously entertaining ninety year olds (and one centenarian 🫡) on our last cruise but I find politics are the last things to raise a smile these days…

I might add quite the opposite to the “vibes” of the detractors post😄

😄😄😄. You both sound as if you are sucking lemons!!

I shall not offer any explanation, except to say that the OP was meant as an uplifting example of how to age well. With optimism, laughter, kindness and enthusiasm for life.

Central heating engineer came to do a service yesterday. He's a nice guy and very chatty- the minute he mentioned the government I stopped him and said I don't talk politics because I thought, 'Here we go,' another Reformer...

Me too Sago! Whenever there’s a whiff of it in a conversation I nod and smile before swiftly introducing a new topic!

I’m not keen on contretemps when I disagree with their stance and find echo chambers boring, who needs that on holiday!

I would avoid anyone in a social situation that started talking politics.

A lovely, uplifting post Whitewavemark2. Thank you. 😊

Absolutely.
Though I do think that the heat and alcohol certainly do have a liberating effect. (I couldn't care less about sharing the same politics on holiday).
Carefree abandon is the way for many in later life!