A difficult week, during which I finally decided to retire. By the time of the Christmas site update I will have left work, and perhaps will have time to ensure I can put more puzzles up on the site more predictably. I might even get back to the solving guide.
But it’s an emotional thing to do, and it’s accompanied by extended exchanges with the Civil Service Pension scheme (though ‘exchange’ might be dignifying their contribution to the process), and all the various bits of planning that go with the decision. It is rather distracting, and when the cul-de-sac Christmas event and the cat cafe Christmas event also align then the weekend vanishes quite quickly. Next time around there’ll be a special puzzle for Christmas (yes, that’s how close Christmas is) – and I should have circulated this year’s APEX puzzle to the usual suspects by then as well.
It’s a quiet fortnight for Phi puzzles – the usual Friday appearances in the Independent are augmented only by a Times puzzle on 16 December and the Church Times Christmas special on 20 December.
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Bravo! I know what a huge step this can be with changes of routine and stress levels. But it is one I’m sure will sit well in the months and years ahead when things settle down. Retirement opens up so many opportunities, not least doing consultation work. But with so many crossword avenues (and parties) opening up right now, I bet you wont want to consider consultations beyond the plant buying, dinner menus, and trips out variety. Just think of all the novels you could write, too!
Have an wonderful, work free week!