A timely reminder

It was so kind of the DVLA to write and remind me that I will soon reach the age of 70. Does that mean I now have to start acting sensibly, stop pushing myself at the gym, and develop a new hobby such as carpet bowls or bridge? 

Bollocks to that; I'm only just a couple of years into my new career as a non-fiction author and book festival organiser. I no longer feel the need to do the kind of work that kept me busy over the last 45 years, and a degree of maturity and life experience is useful when writing creatively. I could not have written my most recent book 20 years ago, and have enjoyed seeing it longlisted for the prestigious Wainwright Prize.

Where many go wrong I think, as they grow older, is that they try to keep doing the same old things they've been doing for years. That I feel is to miss the opportunity to embark on a new career, on your terms, and take full advantage of all the lessons life has taught me.

Now, to fill in the form and wait for my new driving licence to appear.