that last day ,when you climb out the cab and know thats it?
im just wondering how it feels when you go home how do you adjust ,is it easy ?
My dad who is now nearly 71, retired when he was 65… Lasted nearly two weeks lol he went back to work and retired… Again at the end of last year at 70.
Sadly he has went down hill a bit since retiring, this time last year he was down taking wheels off my brothers car, climbing in and out of tippers with shovels, ect… Few months ago something fell off the radiator in the hall, he went down to get it and needed a hand back up!!!
Maybe I’m wrong but I blame the retirement.
Each to their own, got a long road ahead of me before I can think about it lol
I could/should have packed in working in March but bad financial decisions and an expensive much younger wife has delayed this for at least another decade or so 
, plus the thought of being stuck in one place 24/7 after a life time of either being at sea or on the road would see me off in a very short time, plus the fact I never feel my age but just love feeling one a lot younger 
added to that is the sad truth that no youngster wants to learn this job any more which creates a staff shortage which suits me fine as I can charge more for my services … make hay while the sun shines ■■
just make sure you have plenty to occupy yourself, both physically and mentally and you should be ok
Retired 3 years ago,after 40+ years driving,no more early starts no more cold mornings,no crap from anyone ,we do what we want, when we want.
Gardening Fishing Holidays do as we please when it suits us and not when work allows.With holidays its a case of being able to pick up a last minute bargain because we have no restrictions.
After nearly 20 years in transport after leaving the army, I worked in engineering until I retired at 60 looking forward to a rest, (but having kept up my HGV licence), after two weeks I was bored rigid so got back into harness doing two days a week that I’ve been doing for eleven years and as the job now is more like pinching money and I’m now licenced until I’m 72 I’ve no reason to park up yet!
I always wanted to retire at 55 and ended up doing it at 56 after 10 years on car transporters for Toleman then 20yrs (nights) on tankers for BOC. Had some major house renovations to do but after 3 months the rot started to set in. I started to feel depressed and strange as it may seem I got to the stage where I didn’t want to get up. Some days I’d have to go to the builders merchants, I’d have a shower and by the time I was finished I’d think sod it, I’ll go tomorrow. Despite having plenty of work to do at home the wife noticed I was not my usual self. I started to see why people die not long after retiring. Things had to change so I went back to work. Now have a nice little job which on average is a 7hr shift starting about 5pm each night Monday to Friday and feeling happy again.
Nobody can tell you if you’re going to settle into retirement or not, it’s solely down to the individual if they accept it or not. Some do, some like me don’t.
corij:
that last day ,when you climb out the cab and know thats it?im just wondering how it feels when you go home how do you adjust ,is it easy ?
Hi. I retired 3 years ago and loving it. After 40+ years on Heavy Haulage all over Europe - Middle East and North Africa a well earned rest. To occupy our time we bought a Motorhome and do a lot of travelling all over Europe visiting places we have never been to, and have been doing a lot of sea fishing with some big catches. Just getting ready for our winter cruise to Portugal and Spain.
Enjoy your retirement while you can join the SKI CLUB. { spend kids inheritance }
Cant wait looking forward to the day when I hang up my licence (reality is unless the lotto comes up then not for a few years yet), i envy you guys who have retired already can still see me doing it at 70 and thats not a nice thought. Our dream is to retire to eire that would suit us. 
One chap on my DCPC was telling us he had retired a while ago after 40 years behind the wheel as he called it. He redecorated his entire house, then did all his garden, then redecorated his sons house, then his garden, then started driving again. He has contacts with a few tipper companies & they keep him as busy as he wants to be, some weeks 2 shifts other weeks 4. He says him & his wife couldn’t put up with each other for longer than a week after so long away.
lolipop:
Retired 3 years ago,after 40+ years driving,no more early starts no more cold mornings,no crap from anyone ,we do what we want, when we want.
Gardening Fishing Holidays do as we please when it suits us and not when work allows.With holidays its a case of being able to pick up a last minute bargain because we have no restrictions.
Sounds fantastic.
Enjoy.
part of the reason i started the thread is to get tips on coping /enjoying retirement and thanks for the tips lads
retired through heart trouble at 62 , got the problem stabilised and started to enjoy life . i did all the outstanding jobs in the house and garden,helped our son with his jobs . we go on holiday for 8 weeks each summer and generally relax and make the most of life . anything before 7 30 am is regarded as night . if you have hobbies , plenty of time to indulge in them .
There’s always something to do! The fun and enjoyment is in the fact that you can do it if you want, when you want, how you want, and if you don’t want, then you can always put it off 'til tomorrow!
Personally, I don’t know how on earth I found the time to go to work for all those years!!
Steve
I tried to retire at 43, couldnt do it, so did my LGV...Developed my website a bit more. Tried to retire at 46, couldnt do it, so went back driving a couple of days a week.
I decided in July this year that I was not going to finish my DCPC, couldnt do it and finished it, so went back again after two months of glorious sunshine....I cant retire, I enjoy driving too much…I have plenty to do, but I miss driving so much I just have to do it.
One reason I would not get my own unit is because I would be out all hours…And the missus would not be happy, so I have found a way of feeding my ‘habit’ 
Retirement is a strange word, I prefer to see it as taking control of your life, doing what you want to do…I need never work again financially, but then I don`t see what I do as being work, I see it as keeping in contact with real people, driving large vehicles and contributing in some way.
Ste46:
Personally, I don’t know how on earth I found the time to go to work for all those years!!Steve
I hear that a lot!
Personally I’m a few years off it but I’d imagine how it feels could be divided into a few very different camps. Firstly there’ll be those forced to retire through ill health who I imagine feel very resentful and bitter about it. Secondly, those who have made very little provisions for life after work who probably feel uncertain at best or terrified at worse at the thought of very little income. Thirdly I imagine that there are those who’ve boxed clever, have savings and very little outgoings to whom retirement will come as a blessed relief and probably feel like a whole new adventure in their lives.
I know which camp I’d much prefer. Only got to hope it works out that way now.
I would recommend having something else to do with your time.Maybe take up bowls or develop a hobby.
I retired 2 years ago at 65 after 46 years of driving for a living . Did 2 days a week for the first year then decided not to renew my HGV license. Took up indoor bowls and have a large garden so not enough time to get bored . As long as you have enough things to keep you occupied and enough money to live on you will be fine
i think money is the biggest obstacle for most, i manage nicely with a few beers a week, and smoke, and manage to pay the bills ok, still do the lottery as well 3/4 times a week, and i manage to have a month abroad sometimes more and keep the upkeep of that place as well, however my wife bless her had her retirement deferred for another 3 years, which ends next year then we own 2 homes outright, but she contributes a great deal. The problem is when your used to taking home £400 - £500 weekly, you must ask yourself if you could manage on £100 a week which is the basic state pension, most cannot, you can get help from benefits but its not a great deal, a reduction in council tax, pension credit etc, you still have to find money for gas/electric insurances/ tv/ internet/phone/s etc do you have or need a car, do you like going to the cinema/theatre all this has to be taken into account, and to be honest i work 2/3 days a week to maintain my life of luxury, to treat the grandkids and birthdays/anniversary/xmas etc all the things you would normally spend on whilst earning that fantastic wage we did as truck drivers
I was fortunate to have paid in SERPS which gives me a lot extra above the pension, + i had private pension as well, but apart from the financial burden for most, there is the life after work syndrome, what shall i do today, well my wife always finds something, and i cook everyday so she doesnt have to, she has to get up at 5.30, arrives home at 19.00 has a 45 minute drive each way to work, and is bed by 2100 and a very stressful job, she accuses me of sitting on the computer all day, and tells me i should do something constructive, so i play 10 pin bowling with a local club but only 1 day a week and i agree that not working or doing something constructive will lead to an early grave. My advice would be to take out insurance and plan ahead for your retirement, if you can afford to.
I love it!! I retired two and a half years ago, after three months I went back to work. 
I retired again 
July last year. I go to the gym three times a week, originally to get fit to achieve a long held ambition, to cycle from one side of the country to another. I did this at the end of May, 176 miles from Ravenglass to South Shields I still go to the gym, it’s now become a habit!!! At 67 I am fitter now than I was aged 50 I also do the garden for the old lady next door, as well as my own and I’m now looking for another challenge. One thing I’m considering is learning to swim, unfortunately I am terrified of water!!! 
My message is don’t sit around, find a hobby look on retirement as an opportunity. Regards Kevmac47.