What are you all up to

There are a few places in England that hand out the passes at 60 but I think you cannof use them outside that area, such as Liverpool and London. We got ours at 60 here in Wales. Cannot use them in England except if boarding a bus in Wales going to England or coming back.

Like everyone else we've had gales gnd driving rain. Did some vittel shopping this morning. Mrs WN drove MIL into town for her usual Wednesday club this afternoon. Tree branch hit car roof, fortunately only scratching it but Mrs WN then got caught a glancing blow from a small branch whilst she was walking to opticians. Again fortunately she was only shaken up. I've given her extra helpings of Baked Rhubarb, Baked Apple and Greek Yoghurt to help her get over it.

Wherenext were women able to receive their state pension when you got your bus pass? No need to give your age away  just curious. Wondering if Welsh rules are different? Hence same question earlier to Tammygirl.

Poor Mrs WN good to hear only scratches on the car and shake up for your good lady. Your medience sounds the perfect cure.

Damp/wet here all day, grey, grey, grey 😢 but double figures. Breeze got up this afternoon but nothing like you describe. Can hear 'gust' every now and then in the chimney, but nothing of note.

B2 - Mrs WN won't receive her pension until she's 66, if they don't move the goalposts again! I'm just as furious about it as WASPIs. 

We were looking at the shortfall estimates on our pensions this last weekend. I have 2 years to make up (despite being one year over before they raised my pension age) and Mrs WN has 1 year to make up, so about another £2,100 to find. We worked it out that the increase it brings won't repay outlay for about 2 and 1/2 years.

We do get free prescriptions here in Wales now we're over 60. Also get as much rain as you want, often more, without even asking.

Before 9.30 you pay half the cost of the journey

WN obviously different rules for getting bus passes. Don't talk to me about raising the pension age 😤😤😤😤. I get free prescriptions because of under active thyroid, never understood why it wasn't just thyroxine, but qualify for free at 60 anyway. OH had heart attack at 42 but had to pay for prescriptions???

Shortfall estimates?? I got an online or maybe written 😲 estimate and was horrified to find it's reduced because I was contacted out because of work place pension! No choice in that 😤😤😤. No mention of shortfall - is that contributing years? Better go and check out the government website. Hopefully you will live long enough to get back your investment? All a gamble I'm off to get out my crystal ball 😉. They'd better not extend the qualifying date any more before I get there!

We get our bus passes in Scotland at 60, have only used it to go into town. We live 7 miles out so I park the car at my sisters then take the bus, from there it runs every 9 mins into town, the village service is about every 30 mins. Having the car at my sisters means I can then go onto the retail park or supermarkets after having a cuppa  I don't think there are any time restrictions. 

The reason I asked was that OH was talking to someone at the men's shed who said when he lived in England he could only use pass in his area. Hadn't heard of that before. 

We get free prescriptions here in Scotland and like WN we get as much rain as we want or even don't want  

Quick update on moggie, owner called to say, vet thinks she has been in a fight   and has a touch of cat flu  she has had a couple of injections and has to rest for a few days. We'll see.

Glad to hear Mrs WN is alright after ordeal, can I have custard instead of yogurt please 

Bakers 2 I too was horrified when I retired to find that my state pension was reduced because of a workplace (NHS) pension.  No mention of that previously. I went to Citizens Advice and the Job Centre but no redress. We don't get our bus passes by post we have to apply to renew them. Previously at our bus station but that office has been closed - cut backs  so we now have to go to the Tourist Information Office in the centre of town - don't ask.

It sounds as though your OH and MIL had a bit of a traumatic day WN. I am glad to hear that neither of them suffered any serious injury.

Good news on the stairlift husky.  How great that your Mum can now stay with you over Christmas.

Any update on the little cat Tammygirl?

Just read the update Millie, on the post above yours, cat news is good news I hope. Thanks TG. 

Hope Helen feels better soon and Mrs WN enjoyed her pudding!

We have more strong winds forecast later, just enjoying a bit of peace and quiet before they return.

Shortfall estimates?? I got an online or maybe written 😲 estimate and was horrified to find it's reduced because I was contacted out because of work place pension! No choice in that 😤😤😤. No mention of shortfall - is that contributing years? Better go and check out the government website. Hopefully you will live long enough to get back your investment? All a gamble I'm off to get out my crystal ball 😉. They'd better not extend the qualifying date any more before I get there!

They moved my date on me twice but I did get my pension in the end at 63 and 1/2. Both of us qualified for full pensions (as in years) but both had contracting out to be deducted, mine was very small only £8.75 a month, OH's was a lot more. He was in the military for 45 years obviously full time, I worked on and off part time yet I now get a better state pension than him. His works pension though is worth having, while mine might just buy me a sandwich and cup of tea  We both took early retirement (he had to go at 60) I got a deal so didn't lose out. 

W R T Bus  Passes  in  Cheshire  :--

Cheshire  East  Council  has  taken  over  responsibility  for  issuing bus  passes  to  people  living  within  it's  area,  even  tho'  some  have four (4) years  still to  run.  Apparently  its  to  ease  the  change  over  to  their  own  computer  system ( I  seem  to  hear  Santa  or  somebody  HO  HO  HOing  in  the  back-ground  )

English  bus  passes  are, in  general,  free  after  9:30am  until LAST BUS.  Before  9:30  they  are  Half  Fare.  This  only  applies  to  normal  services  buses,  specials  such  as  tourist, sightseeing  etc  etc  are  EXCLUDED.

This  of  course  also  excludes  those  silly  cities  such  as  London, etcetera  whose  systems  I  never  have  & I hope  never  will  need  to  use  !