Rasputin
Well-Known Member
That would be worse than dealing with livestock![]()
Not so sure you can shoot livestock
That would be worse than dealing with livestock![]()
Oops. Didn't notice that. Can I say I took the photo without my glasses?Your eyes weren’t what they were Lochty![]()
Aye, unfortunately I’m in the other 15%I think 85% of the members on SD are retired![]()
take my hat off to you for tree work is dangerous, youve come out the other endI had 32 years as an arborist/tree surgeon. Loved it, 3rd generation.
Changed Jobs a couple of years ago. Now work as a delivery driver for a smallish building company. When not delivering, then in the shop/warehouse selling and restocking.
Fixed hours, decent pay and no snow ploughing/ tree climbing anymore.
Good colleagues to work with and only 5 minutes from home.
Sometimes a change of job/career, although daunting, can be a wise move.....
Yes and the other 25% are not good with numbersI think 85% of the members on SD are retired![]()
Spent 22 years from the age of 18 working for a family owned and run tree surgery and forestry company. Hard work that took its toll on my body and to some extent my mind in the latter years. I was made redundant in 2019. In my early 40s then, with decent qualifications behind me, I found a vacancy with an agricultural dealership as an HGV driver which I absolutely love. I could do without without the 03.30 alarm clock and the 13 hours plus at work but I don't have too many worries, the pay is good, not too many nights away, weekend work is at my discretion (family time is really important to me, especially now my son is shooting). Retirement is probably a distant dream for me, but if I can carry on doing what I'm doing for a while, set the kids on the right path and ultimately sell up here and finish my days somewhere near Nidderdale, I'll be happy!
I have identical feelings about University work. Been an academic for almost 30 years, initially research, now teaching. Absolutely loved the core part of the job. Absolutely detest the ever deepening layers of utter bullsh*t that universities have built up. My own uni is well past the point where admin and managerial staff outnumber teaching and research staff, and where T&R no longer regarded as core priorities (income generation is the explicit focus).I do multiple jobs. Burnt out in what I used to do although was half decent at it. Also kept sheep for a bit alongside other things which was great but not enough for a proper income sadly. Now teach part time at a university and run a small beekeeping business plus occasional reserves stuff. Hopefully starting up another business alongside everything else next year and reducing the university stuff or maybe even stopping it as I'm fed up with the organisation - working with students is great, the organisation itself is another story
Keep going mate. Never slow down until it is forced upon you by mother nature.Disappointingly, but perhaps fortunately for me in pension terms, I've only worked for one employer - you!
I signed on the dotted line at 16 and I remember the JP pointedly asking me (and not my parents who were with me) was I really sure I wanted to commit myself to serving the crown for at least 16 years of service, or to age 38 in the RAF. I'm glad I said yes. I remember coming back previously from selection at Biggin Hill to tell my father that though I had qualified for aircrew, I had accepted an Engineering commission. As a pre-war RAF reservist engineer called up immediately to service on the outbreak of WWII with 609 Sqn, he finished a short flying career with 83 Sqn Pathfinders and was pleased I was following in his footsteps and would have a profession. I had a pilot's license before my driving licence (same year), was sponsored through university (which was essential as my father wasn't going to pay) and I could afford a car - luxury
I worked with transport aircraft, fast jets and on occasions in remote locations, helicopters; as a mechanical engineer Chinooks scared the life out of me. After about 15 years I began to specialise in weapons and air-launched guided weapons in particular. I gained a Masters with the RAF but shortly afterwards they wanted to post me to Bristol, a city I then despised even though I was born there! Not wishing to seperate (young family, money-pit of a house and a serving wife in a key support role to the Hercules force), I reluctantly resigned my commission at age 43. I was fortunate to directly enter the Civil Service at a good grade and doing a armament safety job that was both important and highly rewarding. A short spell as an "arms dealer" supporting the sale of Storm Shadow and other natures to the Saudis followed before my still serving wife was posted to BRISTOL! That's where, excluding a short period being responsible for the Sea Viper missile and radars on T45, I started working for the Royal Navy outside of the armament sphere. Indeed, I had grown to loathe working with the big weapons manufacturers and our indigenous aircraft manufacturer and the opportunity offered by a senior Navy officer I greatly respected to step outside of all of my previous disciplines and to certify warships for safety, with specific regard to Escape, Evacuation and Rescue, was the second best career decision I've made.
In uniform I was expecting to retire at 55. Having joined the Civil Service that became 60 and then shortly afterwards 66! However, that rubicon passed last year and the job still motivates me to get up 4 days a week to oversee my unique role. I've served in operational theatres, commanded RAF detachments in obscure locations (including the former school's cruise ship SS Uganda on a memorable trip down South), operated 21 F4 Phantom aircraft in one hectic period, stood on a mountain top in Panama looking at live TR2 video feed of drugs deals in another South America country with "interesting US civilian operatives", disbanded most of the Canberra fleet and moved the rest to RAF Marham (novel to look after an aircraft fleet much older than you) and much more besides. I'm now aboard every surface combatant warship in the RN every year (including the carriers) and get to meet and work with some great people. Having moved into safety and running a small team, I don't miss the multi-million pound budgets, politics, commercial wrangling and the management of large teams (largest was just over 400). Yes, it's a bit of a "fur-lined rut" but it pays for my stalking, kit and 3 cruises in the last 18 months
September 2025 will mark my 50th year from the date of my original Commission; perhaps long enough. My wife retired last August after 42 years of RAF service and, having been fortunate to survive 2 bouts of cancer, I may get around to thinking about retirement then.
Sadly, as many others also detail in their posts here, the inexorable rise of bureaucracy, regulation creep and the overload of workplace D&I enforced initiatives continue to erode from the pleasure of doing a job I like and one that I believe adds material value. Others (seniors) perceptions of what constitute business needs continue to diverge from mine and, combined with a seemingly inability to address poor performance and waste, means my days at work are numbered.Keep going mate. Never slow down until it is forced upon you by mother nature.
I don't have a job, l have a way of life.
If l didn't enjoy it I wouldn't do it.
I've never been employed, so not sure if this thread applies to me?