Semi-retirement in Thames?----no----I need to redefine the term to---'Mostly retired!'

When I arrived in Thames, I thought that I would slide into a sort of semi-retired state, whereby I would return to Auckland for at least two days a week to see up to 6 clients. I assumed that I would find this challenging enough, re keeping my hand in the 'counselling/supervision world and to meet any financial needs. Let's face it---the 'Superannuation,' that the State pays is not meant to satisfy all of the wants, that one previously felt were--NEEDS!' Two weeks down the tracks, I have undergone a shift re those 'assumptions.' Once the expensive tasks, re setting up house in a 'new land,' on the 'Coast,' as it is called, and the inhabitants---Coasters,' are nearing comfortable completion, then one can take a look as to whether the same need as previously believed, to constantly return to the 'big smoke,' with all the attending stresses of battling the traffic and finding places to stay, with or without a camper-van, still exists. Two weeks into this new journey, I have come to the conclusion, that I love it down here, next to the Firth of Thames, where my day starts with a walk with Perdy along the shell-strewn shoreline, being intermittently reminded by noisy and somewhat nosy feathered friends that this is where I belong, along with my hairy four-legged companion. Do I need a lot of extra income to supplement the State's contribution (one of course that I have worked for for 40 plus years---just saying!) to my approaching dotage? I guess that depends on what each of us decides is 'necessary' for our needs. I have arrived at the conclusion, that as long as my basic needs are met, that I do not need a great deal 'extra!' Given that 'epiphany' (Yeah OK--- I am prepared to admit, that if a 'financial bomb hits re health or other unforeseen needs, then that stance could change) I am quite content to return to the source of the 'add-on' income, only when necessary. My return on a regular basis to Auckland is as much influenced by the need to remain 'connected' to friends and family, but even then, it seems that I may well be the recipient of more visitors than I ever had in the little flat in Mt Roskill. The next few weeks will be crucial in the 'testing' of what I have written. Will I remain constant down here on the Coast? Watch this space.