YesRetired, Halifax, NS (2025)

01/30/2025

La Cala de Mijas is a favorite among UK expats. It’s a bit smaller than where we stay, but it has all the essentials for a vacation in Spain. The “watchtower” served as the primary emergency communication system in the 1500s, alerting other coastal villages of pirate invasions by lighting a bonfire at the top and relaying the message through 100 other coastal towers. The town boasts a clean, modern feel with a blend of cultures, including Arabic Moorish influences and some artsy vibes. Its easier to get along speaking only English here than some other Costa del Sol towns.
Photos and more info in link below.

Cala Mijas favorite for UK expats. "watchtower" for 1500's emergency communications. by lighting a bonfire at the top and relaying the message through 100 other coastal towers.

01/25/2025

Spain: Isolated mountain town castle and church
During our winter retirement in Spain, we embarked on a train journey to the farthest point of the “free” train line outside of Málaga. The scenic ride took us through farms with lemon orchards and pyramid-shaped mountains, culminating in the charming, less touristy town of Álora. There, we explored a 10th-century castle and a grand, historic church from the same period.
The town nestles against the side of a 700-meter (2,400-foot) high mountain, offering breathtaking views of a fertile valley below. From the ancient castles perched atop the steep hill, one can marvel at the expansive farming area. Before the Romans, the region was inhabited by the Phoenicians and later by the Moors, before the advent of Christianity.
Navigating the charming, white-washed town can be quite a challenge due to its narrow, steep streets with 30-degree slopes and numerous winding paths reminiscent of cow trails. The recent extension of the C2 train line from Málaga is revitalizing this farming area, which is about 1.5 hours from our apartment at the opposite end of the C1 train line.
Once you arrive at the end of the train line, you then take a small bus (0.55 Euros) up into the central part of the town which is quite a bit further up the mountain, through numerous twists and turns with daunting straight down roadside views. The central square (actually a triangle) has lots of restaurants and tourist bureau to help plan your path. ( https://yesretired.com/alora )

Train trip in Spain to a less touristy town called Alora, to visit a 10th century castle and large old church from the same Moorish era

01/17/2025

Spanish Galleon and Castle in Malaga, Spain
We are delighted to be back in the Costa del Sol of Spain again for our 2nd year as Snowbirds, staying for 3 months here. We took the “free” train to the main city of Maliga to see Magellan’s Spanish Galleon from the 1500’s, and then climbed the steep trail to Gibralfaro Castle – Moorish Fortress from the same era.

The Nao Victoria (Victory) tall Ship is a replica of the one that Magellan sailed in his southern voyage around the world. Technically it is a “carrack” which existed before Galleon’s did. As we toured onboard, it was hard to imagine a crew of 42 onboard this small vessel in the open sea’s. Even the captains quarters at the rear were very basic. Sadly only a few returned from the long voyage. The replica ship actually offers 4 hour ocean excursions for those who want an authentic historic experience, backed up by a modern diesel engine.

The Castillo de Gibralfaro Castle is further up the hill from the other notable Alcazaba Moorish Palace and castle (See our other article here). It’s quite a steep hike up to the top of Gibralfaro Mountain – 130 meters (400 feet), which was well suited to the slightly cooler weather of the day. After our strenuous walk up, we discovered there is a public transport bus #14 which stops right at the entrance, so we took that back down when we were finished. The castle is well built in an impenetrable location, but the moors eventually succumbed to the Spanish after a 3 month siege, since there is not enough food inside its walls.
More photos in the link below:

Snowbirds in Maliga for Magellan's Spanish Galleon and steep trail to Gibralfaro Castle - Moorish Fortress from the same era.

12/27/2024

HOBBY: AMATEUR RADIO - HAM
Over Christmas break, Amateur Radio HAM enthusiasts are experimenting with the International Space Station (ISS), sending images to HAMs throughout the world as the ISS zip’s around the earth every 90 minutes. You can tune in using only a web browser!
Retirement offers more time to explore time consuming hobbies. In my teens I considered HAM radio, but was put off by the need to learn “morse code” which is not required any more. The HAM hobby (they prefer Amateur Radio now – but HAM is more widely understood), has evolved to the point you don’t need any fancy radio equipment or even a license to be able to LISTEN in on this secret world. Although my technology / electronics interests were the prime motivation for me to learn how to use HAM radios, I also volunteer with an Emergency Measures organization (EMO) where this “old school” analog technology can be helpful in a crisis when our digital infrastructure is not available (no internet, no cell phones) – yes, it does happen!
Some HAM’s are also working with schools to help promote joint interest in Space Travel and HAM radios in conjunction with their ARISS association.

SDR
You can listen to any HAM radio signals (voice or data) for free using a website that is linked to “Software Defined Radio (SDR)”. Amazingly these sites share the various antenna’s of private HAM radio operators all around the world, where you can tune in virtually any HAM Radio frequency using their tools. For example, the one shown below is in Cape Town South Africa, tuned into a digital signal at 438.425Mhz. The yellow/orange vertical bar is an indication in this general radio spectrum displayed as a “waterfall of recent signals. You can find these sites using google!
Full Article here: https://yesretired.com/ham_radio
for more

Over Christmas HAM enthusiasts are experimenting with the International Space Station (ISS), sending images to HAMs throughout the world You can tune in using only a web browser!

12/22/2024

There are a few retirement related feeds showing up now in BlueSky. Here's some tips on using the app.
GETTING STARTED WITH BLUESKY SOCIAL
How to create a daily feed of articles and photos of things that actually interest YOU, without all the craziness. This site is fast gaining in popularity, because its better than Twitter/X and Threads.

Why did I start using BlueSky Social?
I keep my Facebook posts limited to my “friends” because making them open to everyone in the public often attracts unwanted attention. BlueSky offers safer public experience with excellent filters to fine-tune your content, allowing you to avoid annoying posts while still seeing those of interest. If you’ve used X (formerly Twitter), you’ll find BlueSky similar but better, thanks to its ability to mute annoying content, including spam accounts.

Exploring BlueSky Without an Account
You can explore BlueSky without even creating an account. Start with this BlueSky link It shows a Discover Tab, which shows various popular posts. You can also use the “Feeds” Tab to search for posts on specific topics like art, science, politics, sports, etc.

LESSON 1 – THE BASICS
For more details, click the image below

Create daily feed of your interests, without all the craziness. This site is fast gaining popularity, because its better than Twitter/X.

09/29/2024

Exploring your extended family history can be both enjoyable and inspiring. It has given me fresh ideas for our retirement travels.
I’ve always loved visiting grand stone castles, whether they are the medieval British or French ones, the distinctive Moorish and Moroccan designs, or the incredible Inca fortresses in Peru. Nowadays, it’s much simpler to trace your ancestry back well beyond the 1700s, even reaching as far back as the first century, thanks to online tools!
Castles
Various British castles are a part of my family tree, and one interesting one turns out to be Pembroke Castle, in Pembroke, Wales, in the UK. This classic medieval fortress, originally built in 1093, was very similar to an imaginary scale model that I built in my Grade 9 history class out of lego blocks, so it piqued my interest! It has a natural moat in the form of a local river around most of its high cliff side walls, and various towers along the thick walls, and a central 5 story defensive tower (“keep”). It even has an underground cave/grotto/cavern with a spiral stair entrance to the inner castle and a dungeon of course. It turns out that King Henry VII was born in it. It safely defended its inhabitants for hundreds of years, until Cromwell arrived on the scene.
Treason and ex*****on
My 8th great grandfather was Colonel John Poyer (1605-1649). As mayor and Governor he successfully led several defensive forces against various invaders of Pembroke Castle over time, however he subsequently lost to Oliver Cromwell of England. The three leaders were charged with treason. The judge then decided that only one needed to die, which would be decided by lots drawn from a child, from which John Poyer lost. The child is said to have asked him “Did I do well?” Poyer to have responded “Yes, you have done very well”. He was executed by firing squad at Covent Garden, London. His widow was given a healthy pension by King Charles II of England.
Click below for more information and photos:

Our extended family history has given me fresh ideas for our retirement travels. I’ve always loved visiting grand stone castles. You can trace your ancestry back well beyond the 1700s

07/18/2024

Would You Rollback Your Body Age To 25 If You Could?
Retiree’s might enjoy reading this Science Fiction book that stitches together some near future possibilities…
Medical DNA breakthrough that rolls your whole body back to age 25, from age 88
Aliens from another planet finally send back their reply to our message we sent 18 years ago. It takes that long for messages to travel at the speed of light. Should we trust aliens?
Marriage challenges if there is a large age gap between partners.
What evolutionary elements will enable a planet to last for ever? It Darwinian evolution sustainable?

It is a captivating science fiction novel set in 2047. The story revolves around an astronomer named Sarah, who played a crucial role in translating Earth’s first extraterrestrial message received 38 years earlier. When a second message arrives from an unknown alien race, Sarah faces the challenge of decoding it. Meanwhile, a billionaire offers her and her husband, Don, a rejuvenation procedure known as “rollback,” which reverts their bodies to their 25-year-old selves. While the process works for Don, it fails for Sarah, leaving her facing mortality while Don begins anew. The novel delves into themes of rejuvenation, first contact, and the social impact of advanced technology.

Canadian’s will appreciate the story being set in Toronto, Ontario with lots of Canadian references. The award winning Canadian author, Robert J. Sawyer has Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author.

Conclusion
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The science fiction is actually “believable” as a near future possibility, including personal home robots and such, but the tech story is beautifully blended with an enduring love story and insights to the elements of a good and long lasting planet.

Publishers summary:
Thirty-eight years ago, Dr. Sarah Halifax earned worldwide fame by deciphering a radio transmission from an unknown intelligence reaching out from deep space. Now 87, Sarah receives news that, at long last, a new signal has been received, and her services are desperately needed once again.

But Sarah needs to stay alive long enough to decode the message. With the aid of corporate backers, she and her husband undertake an incredibly costly medical process called a Rollback, in which decades may be added to their lives – but only if it’s successful.

Believable near future Sci-Fi, ET communication in a tech story beautifully blended love story and elements of a good and long lasting planet.

07/07/2024

Embracing “Silliness” – Alice In Wonderland
Until recently, I had never delved into the whimsical world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. However, when I discovered that a local theatre group was staging a performance of this iconic tale, I decided it was time to explore it more deeply.
Written by Lewis Carroll in 1865, the story offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a logical mathematician. Carroll’s alternate perspective—distinct from his day job—infuses the narrative with intricate word puzzles. As he played with the confounding logic of the English language, he wove a tapestry of absurdity and wonder. You might just as well say “I see what I eat” is the same as “I eat what I see”.
Even Carroll’s pen name, “Lewis Carroll,” carries hidden layers. Derived by translating his real name into Latin and then back into English, it reflects his penchant for linguistic playfulness.
So, next time you encounter the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, “down the rabbit hole”, Tweedle dee and Tweedle dum, or the Mad Hatter, remember that behind the whimsy lies a logical mind unraveling the mysteries of Wonderland.
The Silliness
I suppose since I too have a logic driven mind, I previously dismissed the story as totally random childish silliness, and didn’t understand the depth of the language use in the story. I was also thrown off by the seemingly exaggerated home-made costumes of the characters. I started my journey into Carol by watching a 1972 movie version (youTube) of the children’s story. I came to realize that this made the characters more approachable for children, in that the kids could play act and dress up as the characters at home themselves! I also experimented with home video’s of the day in 1980, so I found myself appreciating the simplistic movie effects that were used at that time. This led me even further back in time to the silent film era in 1915 (youTube). The character costumes and sets were actually quite impressive.
Click link below for more info:

Into the whimsical world of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland., I decided it was time to explore it more deeply.

07/04/2024

Scotch Whisky that INCLUDES LAND In Scotland
I was intrigued by an offer for free land that came with a random bottle of single malt Scotch Whisky that I picked up recently. Not only did Laphroaig (pronounced “La-Froig”) turn out to be my new favorite Scotch, with a lovely smokey taste that I favor, but the land offer led to a fascinating journey, that may lead to an excursion to the Isle of Islay in Scotland (pronounced I-lay), and aligns nicely with my Scottish heritage from my mother.

My land in Scotland
The land that is included with each bottle is actually a 1 square foot in a field near their distillery, which is associated with a serial number on the bottle label. Based on the certificate they sent me, it is actually a lease for the land, which includes a payment of a dram of whisky when you visit them!
More information in this link:

Scotch Whisky including land in Scotland turned out to be my new favorite Scotch, with a lovely smokey taste that I favor

06/23/2024

USA: Our retirement Road-Trip of two weeks through the Carolinas and Georgia was delightful, with Charleston, South Carolina, being a standout experience. Previously, I hadn’t encountered the “Southern Charms” that this region is known for. The full account of our trip is detailed at the conclusion of this article. Films like “Gone with the Wind” and “Forrest Gump” piqued my interest in this distinctive American locale.

Horse Carriage Tour
Charleston offered a memorable horse-drawn carriage tour, providing a relaxed way to see the bustling tourist city. With a knowledgeable driver at the reins, our group of twelve gained valuable insights during the hour-and-a-half ride. The tours, regulated by the city, ensure no single route becomes overcrowded, thanks to a randomized assignment system. Impressively, the city also employs a GPS-monitored cleanup crew for the horses. Typically, these carriage horses are retired from Mennonite farms, finding a new purpose in tourism.

Two week Road-Trip through the Carolinas and Georgia and the Southern Charms that this region is known for.

05/02/2024

For the first time in 10 years, I sleep through the night without waking up to go to the bathroom, multiple times. I am amazed after only 1 week taking this supplement. I was curious, but very skeptical when I first saw a lengthy pressure sell article about an expensive product containing the “Beta Sitosterol” natural dietary supplement. Eventually I decided to try Amazon’s top seller “Super Beta Prostate” which has the same supplement. Its C$30 for 1 month supply.

After a decade, I sleep through the night without waking up to go to the bathroom, multiple times. Amazing results after 1 week taking this supplement.

04/24/2024

We thoroughly enjoyed our brief sojourn in Lisbon, Portugal, as we made our way back from our snowbird retreat in Costa del Sol, Spain. Lisbon shares similarities with Spain, yet it possesses its own distinct character. While Spain boasts consistent beauty throughout, Lisbon captivates with its grandiose monuments. The Manueline architectural style in Portugal stands out – a gothic variation that pays homage to nature and the ocean, favoring smooth curves over sharp edges.

A highlight of our visit was the Pena Summer Palace in Sintra. (many photos below). This enchanting creation, reminiscent of a colorful Disneyland, was built in 1838 by Portuguese King Consort Ferdinand II for Queen Maria II of Portugal. Tragically, Queen Maria passed away before its completion. The palace’s foundation was laid upon the ruins of an abandoned monastery, blending an eclectic mix of styles, including Neo-Gothic, Neo-Manueline, Neo-Islamic, and Neo-Renaissance.

The city of Lisbon is fun to explore, being located on the slopes of 7 hills, with many narrow winding streets and alleyways. Old fashioned electric trolley trains offer an unique way to explore the hills. For tourists purchasing the “Lisbo Card” gives them free access to all public transit, and many museums. We enjoyed the underground subway since our hotel was not located in the waterfront tourist district.

Our brief sojourn in Lisbon, Portugal, it captivates with its grandiose monuments. The Manueline gothic architectural style in Portugal stand out

04/04/2024

The Costa del Sol region, with its perpetual sunshine, has captured our hearts, and we’ve made it an integral part of our annual Snowbird retirement journey. Our initial visit in 2022 was sparked by a touch of whimsy, reminiscing about my partner’s high school excursion to Costa del Sol during her junior year. Moreover, her proficiency in Spanish, honed through our various travels to Mexico and other Latin-influenced nations, has only deepened our connection to this enchanting locale.

For three months in 2024, we embraced the local lifestyle in Spain by residing in an Airbnb rental. The experience turned out to be a delightful success! Today is our last day here this year. We will do a pitstop in Portugal on the way home.

It just feels Right. The decision to move here, despite the additional effort and expense from Canada, is affirmed by numerous small factors. My support for the underdog aligns with the remarkable work ethic observed here. The abundance of small, independently owned shops and eateries, staffed by employees who appear to truly appreciate their work, is heartening. The absence of obligatory tipping—save for truly outstanding service—is a bonus, as a 10% gratuity is already factored into the prices. Dining out and grocery shopping tend to be more affordable here than in Canada, especially when opting for items produced in Spain. However, a preference for familiar Canadian brands comes at a higher cost due to importation. The use of Euros can give the illusion of lower expenses, though the reality is a 50% increase when converted to Canadian dollars.
Read more in link below:

The Costa del Sol region, with its perpetual sunshine, has captured our hearts, and we've made it an integral part of our annual Snowbird retirement journey.

03/29/2024

Updated Turkey: New videos of C$5 ferry ride for 5 hours in Turkey.

YES friends travelling the world staying for "free" in Turkey. Off the beaten path places including, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, France, Portugal using the "work away" platform.

03/26/2024

Credit Card Advice For Travelers
When you travel away from your home country, its not ideal to use your everyday credit card. Prepare for what happens if your ONE card gets stolen, or more commonly – gets locked, because of a questionable foreign transaction. Some ATM’s will actually keep your card if it is flagged. If any of these events occur, yes your credit card company will send you a new card, but it will likely go to your home address, and arrive some time after you return from your vacation! Never use your debit card. It is a key connection to all your finances plus does NOT have the same fraud protections as credit cards do.

Take a 2nd Credit Card
You should take at least two credit cards with reasonable credit limits remaining to cover the cost of air fare home. Also, keep the two cards separated, incase you loose your wallet.

A tactic, we have used is to have a second card, which has a very low credit limit, like $500, and use it when making random small purchases, and ATM withdrawals. If that card gets stolen, or skimmed and sold to the black market, the most they will be able to spend is $500, and you still have your other card with a higher limit. If you need to spend more than the $500 limit, then simply overpay the card with $1000 for example, a day or so ahead of your need. You can also use Prepaid Credit cards, but some places won’t accept them, because they are intended more for online use.
Read more:

Traveling away from your home country, its not ideal to use your everyday credit card. Prepare for what happens if your ONE card gets stolen

03/24/2024

Should we be scared of interactions with aliens from outside of our solar system? This science fiction book series (trilogy+1) is built around realistic interpretations of today’s understanding of the science and physics of our Universe. Should we be sending probes and radio signals out into the universe advertising our existence here?

The series (now released on Netflix, produced by the creators of Game of Thrones) is built around earth receiving a nasty message from an alien civilization who will be arriving to take over earth in 400 years. This is because that is how much time it will take them to travel through space to get here. It is really mind warping to try and consider how we would defend ourselves 400 years into the future, based on our current track record of continuous technology development.

The books are LONG, but it is necessary to endure and go through them each in sequence to fully appreciate the big picture story woven out of intricate details, into a love story that lasts into infinity and beyond… I listen to them as audio books, which was over 60 hours long.

You don’t need to be a space nerd to understand the series. But it would be good to be familiar with some of the concepts of light-speed, nuclear fusion engines, gravity, quantum physics, black holes, 2,3 and 4 dimensions etc. I broadened my understanding somewhat by reading the book.

Should we be scared of alien interactions? This science fiction trilogy applies today's understanding of the science of our Universe.

03/16/2024

YES Friends: In Turkey, Working Retirement (BB)
Updated: Video re 100 HOT AIR BALLOONs ride and hike into flintstone town.
Our YES friends Brian and Beth have been travelling the world staying for “free” using a “home share” approach, and are currently in an interesting part of Turkey. They stay for free in peoples home’s in exchange for taking care of their pets, and/or doing maintenance on the home. In the past few years, they have traveled to many exotic, off the beaten path places including, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, France, Portugal using the “work away” platform.

The links below relate the their Facebook posts about Turkey, including several well produced videos. They include seeing “Cave” Hotels, camels, and unique towns filled with sandcastle like homes, and Flintstone era cave homes.

YES friends travelling the world staying for "free" in Turkey. Off the beaten path places including, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, France, Portugal using the "work away" platform.

03/09/2024

Our YES friends Brian and Beth have been travelling the world staying for “free” using a “home share” approach, and are currently in an interesting part of Turkey. They stay for free in peoples home’s in exchange for taking care of their pets, and/or doing maintenance on the home. In the past few years, they have traveled to many exotic, off the beaten path places including, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, France, Portugal using the “work away” platform.

The links below relate the their Facebook posts about Turkey, including several well produced videos. They include seeing “Cave” Hotels, camels, and unique towns.

YES friends travelling the world staying for "free" in Turkey. Off the beaten path places including, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, France, Portugal using the "work away" platform.

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