Remember - you're NOT Sir Bradley Wiggins

It was a warm, Spring afternoon as I drove to our neighbouring village to buy a newspaper.

The roads round my way are fairly narrow and twisty so you need to keep your wits about you.

I have to admit I was doing a bit of head-banging as I meandered along, the mighty Quo blasting out of the radio. Which was when I came across the Peloton. I say Peloton because I’ve seen the Tour de France on the TV and I recognise one when I see one.

Admittedly it was a small Peloton, made up of just six Lycra-clad cyclists, but it was spread across the whole road as I negotiated a bend.

I braked – they just carried on, swarming around me like giant wasps. One cyclist even banged on the side of my car as he went by.

Now I was always brought up to share – my sweets, my cigarettes, my drinks etc. And even the roads. But what makes a man (for it usually is a member of the male gender) think they own the road when on a bicycle?

I think it’s great that people participate in sporting activities but some need a lesson in manners.

So, if you take to the roads of Suffolk on two wheels, particularly at the weekend, please show some respect to car drivers, who, after all, have to have compulsory insurance.

And please remember you are NOT Sir Bradley Wiggins and there is, as far as I know, no official Tour de Stanton.

Thank you.

All hail the new official pensioner – or not

I am happy to report that a couple of months ago I reached the age where I can now get something back from HM Government after years of helping fill the national coffers.

Yes, my dear reader, I reached the official pensionable age of 65. Yes, that’s right. 65.

Unfortunately I won’t be eligible for my state pension until October this year, six months after my birthday. SWMBO, who reaches the milestone this autumn, will have to wait another 12 months until her state pension comes through.

Are we upset? No, not really, as we were fortunate enough to be able to save a bit over the years and plan for our dotage. So, another six months or a year wait will be tough but shouldn’t change our lives too much.

The problem is that everyone is living so much longer. When I started out in newspapers a hundred years ago my first editor retired at 65. He was dead at 67. So he paid into the State for getting on for 50 years and got back two years’ worth of pension.

Nowadays people retiring at 65 can expect to live for another 20 years or so. And you don’t need a degree in Mathematics to work out that is just not sustainable.

As an official pensioner, I relish shopping at Lidl (other low cost supermarkets are available) more than ever.

And as with all food stores, Lidl offer regular special deals.

One particular money-saving deal last week made me do a double take – see the photo (right).

I really think this genetic engineering thingy has taken a step too far.