Who knows where the time goes?

Since I made it public that I intended to retire back in the Spring of 2015, the saying that's been quoted back to me on a regular basis is the one about being so busy in retirement that there's no time left to go to work. As I near the end of the fourth week of retirement, and the first month, there does seem to be a lot of truth in that. I calculated before retirement that on the basis of a 9 till 5 working day and an hour travelling time each way, then there would be an additional 50 hours a week available to me to do whatever I feel like doing; well I'm not sure where that time goes. I seem to be happily busy and occupied in all kinds of activities, but the days seem so short and I find myself staying up late each night to pack in a few more things.

At the beginning of January, I started a day book with lists of "to do" items for each day and each week and I took real pleasure in getting through the list and ticking off as things got done. This has slipped as the days have gone by, and as I stop worrying that someone is going to tap me on the shoulder and tell me that unless I can demonstrate that I am being a productive retiree, I will have to return to work. I think I've decided that the time spent on the day book could be put to better use in actually doing something.

Speaking of doing, the marmalade got made and is a great success. I did have a go a couple of years ago but the set wasn't quite right and the marmalade crystallised and I had to chuck most of it in the bin. This batch is fine - set, chunky and tangy, and I'm sure that investing in a thermometer to ensure the correct setting point was reached was the secret; that and relying on good old Delia! I used her recipe from the Complete Cookery course which was, as usual with her, well explained and did the job. One of the jars is destined for my Scottish friend who so kindly gifted to me a few years ago her Mum's big, old preserving pan in memory of her lovely Mum, who was a good friend to me during my time in Dundee.

6 jars of Seville & Dundee sunshine