The time has come for this long-in-the-tooth rat to abandon the good ship SS Work. I’ve been offered, and accepted, early retirement. It’s been in the offing for some while but has been confirmed only in the last couple of weeks. I leave officially on 5 January 2010, but my last full working day will likely be Friday 18 December, followed by a couple of part-days the following week to complete handovers etc.

This opportunity, brought about by the upcoming demise of our final salary pension scheme, is a bonus and the push I needed. I had always planned to retire around now, and certainly no later than age 60, so this is one of the few things in life so far I have achieved more or less as planned. (In fact I’ve planned very little in my life, being content to drift into whatever has been available; one reason I’ve not made it higher up the various ladders.) There’s lots else I want to do while I’m still young enough (and vaguely fit enough) to be able to. Have no fear, I shall certainly not be idle in my retirement.

33 years with one company is a long time. I’ve learnt a lot, had many enjoyable times and worked with many excellent people. There have, of course, also been some not so good times and some very stressful times; the last year or so has been an especially bumpy ride, although ultimately a successful one. I look back not in anger but more in sadness at the passing of an era, for my infamy shall precede me no more.

So roll on Christmas and a new beginning. Although it’s what I want, it’s actually quite scary!