This week, I’m asking two questions that might seem completely unrelated, but they actually go hand in hand.
Could you head off on a three-week road trip with no firm plans or bookings, or would that send your stress levels soaring?
And…
Do you know which fats help keep us healthy in our 60s, and which ones are best enjoyed only occasionally?
The reason I’m asking is because, at this very moment, Sharon and I are setting off on a three-week adventure that goes completely against our usual travel rules.
We’re travelling with nothing more than a sketchy plan, a packed car and a sense of adventure.
First stop: Family time
Our first destination is Hampshire to spend a few days with my son, his partner and our seven-week-old grandson, Joey.
We had a FaceTime call recently and my son looked absolutely shattered.
Apparently, Joey has decided that sleeping for more than two hours at a time is completely overrated.
My son doesn’t quite realise it yet, but this is one of those chapters he’ll be reminding Joey about for the rest of his life.
That’s what fathers are for, isn’t it?
Embracing the sketchy plan
After our grandparent duties are complete, Sharon and I are doing something we almost never do.
We’re heading up the UK’s east coast with no detailed itinerary.
Our first stop is Essex, where Sharon’s sister has invited us to stay at her “caravan.”
Although calling it a caravan is stretching the truth somewhat. It’s more like a luxury lodge with every modern comfort.
The peaceful surroundings will give me the perfect opportunity to continue writing some of the upcoming Ropho digital guides and ebooks.
After that…
No hotel bookings.
No timetable.
No pressure.
Just a road trip exploring some of Britain’s coastal gems.
Following a recent conversation about how fortunate we are to have such beautiful countryside and coastline, I realised we often rush off abroad without properly exploring what’s on our own doorstep.
Don’t worry—we’ve still got Crete booked for September!
This trip is different.
We’re searching for memorable pubs, independent restaurants, boutique B&Bs and characterful hotels that I can genuinely recommend for future Ropho readers looking for a weekend away.
The Road Trip Food Challenge
As exciting as spontaneous travel sounds, it does present one challenge.
Food.
British seaside towns mean fish and chips.
Country pubs mean hearty pies.
Long days exploring often lead to desserts that somehow seem impossible to refuse.
I’ve packed my resistance bands, so I’ll still be doing my three strength sessions each week.
But after last week’s conversation about protein, it seemed the perfect opportunity to look at another important subject…
Healthy fats.
The Truth About Fats
For years, fat became the nutritional villain.
Everything was labelled “low fat” and many of us were led to believe that all fat was bad.
Thankfully, we’ve learned much more since then.
Healthy fats are essential.
They help support our heart, brain and joints, provide lasting energy and help our bodies absorb important vitamins.
As we get older, those benefits become even more important.
The challenge isn’t avoiding fat.
It’s choosing the right kinds most of the time.
Foods to enjoy regularly
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Avocados
- Nuts and seeds
- Oily fish such as salmon and mackerel
- Eggs
Foods to enjoy in moderation
- Butter
- Cheese
- Full-fat Greek yoghurt
These foods can absolutely form part of a healthy diet—they’re simply worth enjoying in sensible portions.
Foods best kept as occasional treats
- Processed meats
- Commercially fried foods
- Pastries
- Cakes
- Biscuits
- Foods containing trans fats
Now, before anyone points it out…
Yes.
I fully expect to enjoy fish and chips somewhere along the coast.
Ropho has never been about perfection.
It’s about balance.
My favourite travel tip
You don’t need calorie-counting apps or kitchen scales when you’re on holiday.
I use a very simple guide.
Think thumb-sized.
A thumb-sized portion is roughly the amount of healthy fat most meals need.
That might be:
- a drizzle of olive oil
- a small handful of nuts
- half an avocado
- a modest portion of cheese
Healthy fats are satisfying.
Get the balance right and they’re much more likely to keep you full than leave you searching for the next sugary snack.
The Ropho View
Growing older shouldn’t mean giving up adventure.
Nor should healthy eating mean removing all the enjoyment from food.
As Sharon and I head off with our sketchy itinerary, the goal isn’t perfection.
It’s balance.
We’ll keep moving.
I’ll keep up my resistance training.
We’ll choose grilled fish more often than deep-fried.
And when we discover that perfect coastal pub, we’ll enjoy it without feeling guilty.
Because making the most of life after 60 isn’t about following rules.
It’s about making good choices most of the time while still creating memories worth talking about.
Now I’d love to hear from you.
Could you cope with a three-week trip without every hotel booked in advance, or would that be your idea of a nightmare?
And when you’re travelling, how do you manage to eat well without missing out on all the local treats?
I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments.
This article combines personal experience with general nutritional guidance. Information on healthy fats has been informed by resources from the British Heart Foundation. Everyone’s health is different, so if you have a medical condition or specific dietary needs, it’s always worth discussing them with your GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
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