Sunday, April 1, 2018

It's Official! I Can Announce It!



As many of you know Bernie and I are both transit drivers.  I have been behind the wheel for 20 years with a previous career in IT and Human Resources for 12 years.  Bernie has been behind the wheel of the bus for 32 years and prior to that worked in a mill, as a care aid, and was a manager at  K Mart.

We knew after our trip to Peru last year in January that we needed to move forward in our lives.  First thing was to sell our condo.  That happened very quickly and we moved into a rental for the past year. 

We had been talking about retiring early 2019 but late last year we started to look at moving that date up.  

Work was only getting worse both mentally and physically. Physically we were having a harder time sitting behind the wheel for 7.5 hours with no breaks.  Our body could just not handle it.  Then the final thing was an annoying neighbor in our new place and the road noise at a busy intersection.  



So we decide to take the big step and retire earlier. 

We can officially report that we are retiring the end of May!

Next! 

We are moving to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia!

Bernie is from Cape Breton.  Sydney Mines to be exact.  He still has a lot of family there and one thing we really miss here in Vancouver is family, both Bernie's and mine.  Thankfully we have a nephew we see often here.

So moving to Cape Breton will allow us to live very affordably and to travel whenever we want - especially during their winters!  We do not plan to be there during the winter. 

Not only will we be closer to brothers/sisters, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and so much more.  It is only a day's drive to Quebec to see my family.  Recently with numerous health scares with some of my family members in Quebec I have felt so far away.  Being in Cape Breton means we can hop in the car and visit regularly.  I can't wait.

Of course Cape Breton may not be our permanent home but for the time being it is just perfect for the next few years.

I know many of my Facebook friends have noticed we are selling lots of things.  This is the reason why, it is cheaper to sell than to ship across the country.  Plus we don't really have that much stuff anymore.

We will be driving across the country starting in Late May and all through June.  Taking our time and seeing our beautiful country and seeing friends and family when possible.  Our goal is to be in Cape Breton by July 1st.

Even though it will be very hard to say goodbye to so many amazing friends we have made over the 20 years for me, and 32 for Bernie, that we have lived in British Columbia we are excited about the next adventure in our lives.

And don't worry I will still be blogging and maintaining my Facebook Page Cruising Princess Cruiseline with Vickie.  So make sure you like the page, and subscribe to the blog to follow along.

PS - thanks to many of my friends who have kept our secret quiet, we appreciate it.

21 comments:

  1. Congratulations. Grab life while you can! Russell and I are soooo jealous. We have a couple more years to go before we do the big switch.

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    1. Thanks Gail and Russell - your joy of life is a great role model.

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  2. Congratulations! You will never look back! Hope to sail with you once again in the future!

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  3. Great news my friends, a new life with the freedom to enjoy every minute. Looking forward to cruising with you sometime soon!

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  4. Welcome to Nova Scotia. We spend the weekends in the summer at our trailer parked down in Cape Breton - Red Islands to be exact. We hope to be able to retire in a couple of years.

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  5. I guessed you 2 were up to something great in your lives! I can only wish you both the best of adventures in your retirement from the transit rat-race!

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  6. So excited for you, moving back East. Originally from NB, so know how Bernie feels about Cape Breton. Congratulations on retiring early too. What a great decision.

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  7. Good for you! Life is too short so enjoy while you can.

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  8. Congratulations, Enjoy your retirement. I am looking forward to many more of your Blogs. Hope to meet you on board one of these days.

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  9. So excited for you both! 🤗 Hoping to catch up with you while in beautiful Cape Breton! Let the fun begin.... All the very best! ❤️💙

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  10. Congratulations to you and Bernie, you are wonderful people and deserve to enjoy family and retirement!

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  11. You will love retirement. We do. And being closer to family is so important. Congratulations to you both!

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  12. Well my friends, when you drive through Moncton, let me know and you can stop in for a glass of wine and a chat.

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    1. oh that would be lovely. I will be blogging during the trip so msg me or post on my wall to remind me and we will

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    2. Janet keeps on top of your blog, I will let her know to be looking for updates as to where you are in your cross country adventures. Good luck and have wonderful last month at work

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  13. This is so exciting Vickie, I'm so happy you and Bernie were able to move it up. Lots of exciting changes coming along, I will love hearing about everyone of them.
    Congratulations to both of you!

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  14. Vancouver looses and Cape Breton gains two wonderful souls. Ww will MISS you both. CONGRATULATIONS !

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  15. Yeah, going to Cape Breton is the best choice. You know of course that I am from Sydney so my opinion is just a little bias. Ken is from Digby but we do not hold that against him :-) You can buy a mansion for what you would spend for a condo in Vancouver. Enjoy the lobster, the clams, the scallops, the friendly people, the beautiful fall colors and the list goes on and on and on. I am happy for you both. Hugs Ken and Carolyn

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  16. At first I thought it was an April Fools Day joke!! Then Bruce told me you posted a photo on FB with your official paperwork. I am delighted that it is true and I'm so happy for you both. Much love.

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    1. yeah did not even realize it was April 1. But yes it is true
      We will be closer to you! We hope to head down to Boston to visit the city some time, will let you know so we can get together

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