The Fifty and Above Club....if you're any younger don't even think about posting.

[Baldbloke]

Dunno, but great story anyway.
Well actually, can you persuade him to let you do it on a more modern bike?
I was in Israel in 84, working on a moshav.
Got a few stories but not as adventurous as you. Chapeau!

The age of the bike is not an issue and it’s actually more repairable than a fuel injected ECU operated more modern bike. Carburettors and points can usually get you home and are more bodgeable than a circuit board. Supposedly Boorman and McGregor has backup bikes and a full crew in case of mishaps.

I have done 600 mile daily trips on good roads on my old Guzzi. She sits comfortably at 85 and will top 120 if asked as well as returning 50 mpg + at the lower speed. I do have more modern 25 year old bikes but would be more concerned at their reliability.

We did get invited to a Kibbutz but were deemed a bad materialistic (bikes) influence to the workers and asked to leave. But I did like the Israelis and still keep in contact with a couple.

Your experience in israel will be something you’d always remember.

Can’t remember which Kibbutz it was[emoji1312]

[Commando]

25 minutes ago, Baldbloke said:

I’d love to, but (rather like many others on this forum) have worked from a young age outside, and know that I may struggle to do the things I can presently do by the time a worthwhile NHS pension kicks in. Because of my ignorance through not filling in the appropriate paperwork or being able to prove working in NZ, Australia, France and Germany -to name a few, I am short of 9 years of U.K. state pension.
Totally my fault, and the belief that I’d live forever, and that my Dad was wrong.

Ah ok fully understood! I’m in a similar position concerning full pension, I had pretty much fulfilled the criteria so when working in UAE didn’t pay my stamp. Then they go and change the amount of years required!

Have you looked at making lump sum payments? 

[Mick Dempsey]

Lessons I learned.

1. Never give a months wages to a mate to change from Scheckels to dollars (to avoid hyperinflation) if ‘your mate’ happens to be a heroin addict.

 

2. Arak is bad, really bad.

 

3. Israeli women are beautiful, but they rarely shag goyim, especially idiot English boys.

 

4. It is punishingly hot.

[Baldbloke]

Just tell work you’ve got long covid and go.
 
You can write a book about it called The Long Covid Way Down.

I like your thinking.

Maybe I should try for an unpaid sabbatical effort, although I can’t see them being too impressed[emoji3]

[Mick Dempsey]

Me on the mount of olives (I think) Jerusalem 

[Baldbloke]

Ah ok fully understood! I’m in a similar position concerning full pension, I had pretty much fulfilled the criteria so when working in UAE didn’t pay my stamp. Then they go and change the amount of years required!
Have you looked at making lump sum payments? 

Thank you for the reminder! Probably better than cash in the bank if you get to use it.

[Mick Dempsey]

…..

Edited January 8, 2022 by Mick Dempsey
Wrong thread idiot.

[Baldbloke]

Lessons I learned.
1. Never give a months wages to a mate to change from Scheckels to dollars (to avoid hyperinflation) if ‘your mate’ happens to be a heroin addict.
 
2. Arak is bad, really bad.
 
3. Israeli women are beautiful, but they rarely shag goyim, especially idiot English boys.
 
4. It is punishingly hot.

1. Been lucky there.
2. Absolutely.
3. Spot on! So are some of the Jordanian women. Tourists covered that mutual need[emoji1303]
4. Yes, saw 46 C in Eilat.

[openspaceman]

47 minutes ago, Commando said:

Ah ok fully understood! I’m in a similar position concerning full pension, I had pretty much fulfilled the criteria so when working in UAE didn’t pay my stamp. Then they go and change the amount of years required!

Have you looked at making lump sum payments? 

I can't say on @Baldbloke's dilemma, Gunga Din. I have hardly travelled outside UK at all but did hitchhike off the airbase in Finthen to home at 17.

 

You can buy years back in but when I unexpectedly retired at 65 on full £150/week pension  my slightly older friend  hadn't paid in for 15 years but was still entitled to a £90/week pension. I've overspent the state pension by about £8k/annum for 5 years, mostly due to family problems, but picked up much of that  from little jobs. I'm going to take some private pension from here on.

 

So if  the mansion in Scotland can pay for itself and you can live the dream for 2 years...

 

I wouldn't dare but then I have social problems

[Commando]

1 hour ago, openspaceman said:

I can't say on @Baldbloke's dilemma, Gunga Din. I have hardly travelled outside UK at all but did hitchhike off the airbase in Finthen to home at 17.

 

You can buy years back in but when I unexpectedly retired at 65 on full £150/week pension  my slightly older friend  hadn't paid in for 15 years but was still entitled to a £90/week pension. I've overspent the state pension by about £8k/annum for 5 years, mostly due to family problems, but picked up much of that  from little jobs. I'm going to take some private pension from here on.

 

So if  the mansion in Scotland can pay for itself and you can live the dream for 2 years...

 

I wouldn't dare but then I have social problems

I think I get you...