h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, actually, not properly retired, but on the recommendation of my boss, I asked about retirement and finally came to an agreement with the Personnell department that I could be released from my contract (with the legal 6 months' notice) but I could be released from actually working as from immediately.

So, since the beginning of this month, I have been at home, getting under hubby's feet. On full pay, until the end of March.

Once I'd dealt with the Department of Employment on the first day off work, I set about looking into getting Germamn Citizenship. I just happened to catch on the news that a top politician (The minister for consumer affairs) recommended that any expat Brits still left over should do this, as no one knew what would happen after Brexit. If we got German nationality before 29 March 2019, we would still be allowed both passports. After that, it is most likely that we would have to rescind our British passports if we wanted a German one.

It would seem that most of my expat acquaintances here (except the ones from Northern Ireland) - even those who had spurned the idea hitherto - were now taking the plunge. So when the certificates (or whatever it is) are handed out in the Town Hall in January next year, there will be quite a few Brits in the crowd!

The lady who is dealing with my application told me definitively that I don't have to take a Citizenship test. But my friend (who is the same age as me and has been in Germany as long) tells me that she does. Go figure. I have no problem with the test - you only have to get 17 out of 33 questions right!

Family news - our middle son is expecting another baby in January - our third grandchild! We visited them last weekend - this lasting summer weather is making everything so idyllic, even 3 hour drives up the Autobahn.

Our eldest was over from America a couple of weeks ago. During his stay of less than 2 weeks, he managed the planned conference in Dresden and then tacked on a visit to his brother in Berlin, then to us, then to his brother in Bonn before flying back to San Jose (via Amsterdam).

Just thought I'd put that all down here, even if no one reads it.

This retirement lark takes some planning - so I shall now go and see what hubby's up to (we have been doing some serious re-decorating this last couple of weeks, too) and get him something to eat.

I enjoyed reading it, TC, but I have a question: would you have to get German citizenship in order to get full retirement benefits?

No - the German citizenship will have no effect on my pension as I have paid into the German system for some 35 years.

I am having trouble locating any pension I may be due from the UK, but as I only worked there for about 1 year and was not earning much, this would not amount to a great deal - probably not even in double figures.

Congratulations ! Enjoy !

"This retirement lark takes some planning" : A few weeks ago, I had my Dad on the phone (recently retired himself), and he was telling me he had some painting to do, but hadn't had time all day.
- Ah?, said I
- Well, I really didn't have time to paint the fence today, because I hadn't finished reading my book.

If the book is due back at the library, then it's important to finish it!

Either that, or it was a suspense thriller that you had to finish so as to know who dd whatever bad thing that was done.

I'm still dithering about German citizenship, made complicated at the moment because I'm unemployed right now. but hopefully I'll have something next month.

To be honest, and it breaks my heart to say this, I don't recognise the UK any more. I'm not going to be overly sad if I have to give up my British passport.

I realised this, too, when I had to sign a box on the form which said that I would be prepared to give up my present citizenship if necessary.

As I said to the lady - "Well, I'll still be me, won't I?"

I sure hope so!

Congratulations! You know the Spanish for 'retired' is Jubilado!

And welcome (back) into the EU.

...until Germexit occurs.

That's called Eurexit

P. T. Barnum: This way to the Eugress.