Food, Memories & Our Glorious Decade

Sometimes the best conversations aren’t about business or money. They’re about the simple things that make life enjoyable.

Welcome to this weekend’s conversation.

Sharon and I are now into our third week exploring England’s beautiful East Coast. It’s been part holiday, part research trip for Ropho and, perhaps most importantly, a reminder that some of the best discoveries happen when you slow down.

We’ve enjoyed stunning scenery, stayed in some lovely hotels, uncovered a few hidden gems for future weekend breaks and, above all, met some genuinely interesting people. I’ll be sharing plenty of those experiences over the coming weeks.

But after this week’s conversations about business and personal finance, I thought we’d do what weekends are for.

Pour yourself a glass of something you enjoy, settle into your favourite chair and join me for three conversations that have been on my mind this week.

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1. Wine, Scallops and the Unwritten Rules of Hospitality

One evening this week we enjoyed an outstanding plate of Oriental scallops. As often happens, the meal became more than just dinner. It turned into a conversation with the chef about seafood, wine pairings and what actually makes a good bottle of wine these days.

My own view has always been wonderfully uncomplicated.

Red wine goes with almost everything.

Although, even I’ll admit that pairing a full-bodied red with delicate scallops may be stretching the friendship a little.

During the meal I mentioned to Sharon that I’d invited a couple of new people we’d met on our travels over for dinner when we return home. They’re interesting people who may even become part of the wider Ropho journey.

That simple conversation led to another question.

When you’re hosting friends, do you open your very best bottle, or do you quietly keep the special one tucked away for another occasion?

Is hospitality about sharing your finest, or simply making people feel welcome?

And while we’re on the subject, what do you think represents good value these days?

Has the price of a decent bottle quietly crept beyond what most of us consider reasonable, or can you still find excellent wines without spending a fortune?

Over to you…

• Do you bring out the best bottle when guests visit?
• What’s your favourite everyday wine that tastes far more expensive than it actually is?

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2. Long Summers, County Cricket and Village Life

Driving through the countryside of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk this last couple of weeks, brought back memories I hadn’t thought about for years.

Summer feels different now.

Perhaps it’s because we appreciate it more. Perhaps it’s because we know just how precious those warm evenings really are.

Growing up in a small Hampshire village, summer seemed to last forever.

I remember tractors humming across nearby fields, afternoons spent beside the village cricket ground with my grandfather and uncle, and those wonderful “special occasion” trips that felt like grand adventures.

One of my favourites was visiting Hampshire’s old County Ground, where I watched legends such as Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts and Barry Richards from the boundary rope. I even remember being quietly smuggled into the Members’ Enclosure on one unforgettable afternoon.

There were family picnics on Old Winchester Hill, walks through the beautiful Meon Valley and Sundays when visitors would call after church. Our bungalow stood next door to the parish church, and I can still picture my grandmother and mum sitting in the garden enjoying a gin and tonic while conversation drifted lazily into the evening sunshine.

Funny how summer itself hasn’t really changed.

Perhaps it’s simply our perspective that has.

Over to you…

When you think of summer, what’s the very first memory that comes flooding back?

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3. Our Glorious Decade

One subject seems to come up more and more as we move through our sixties.

The bucket list.

Some people love the idea because it gives them purpose and direction.

Others dislike the phrase altogether, believing it creates unnecessary pressure and turns life into a checklist.

Personally, I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

I don’t believe we need fifty grand ambitions scribbled onto a list.

But I do believe we all need something exciting to look forward to.

It might be travelling somewhere you’ve always dreamed about. Japan remains high on my own list.

It might be learning a new skill, writing a book, starting a small business, volunteering, getting fitter than you’ve ever been or finally creating something you’ve talked about for years.

For me, that’s exactly what Ropho represents.

It’s proof that new ideas don’t have an expiry date.

If anything, our sixties can become the decade when experience, freedom and confidence finally come together.

I’ve started calling this our Glorious Decade, because I genuinely believe that’s what it can be.

Not a time to slow down.

A time to choose what really matters.

Over to you…

If there was one dream, one adventure or one personal goal you’d still love to achieve, what would it be?

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Final Thoughts

One of the unexpected pleasures of writing Ropho has been the conversations that follow. Every week people share memories, opinions and experiences that often become the inspiration for future articles.

So wherever this weekend finds you, I hope you find time to enjoy good food, good company and perhaps spend a few moments thinking about the adventures that still lie ahead.

Life after sixty isn’t about looking backwards.

It’s about making the years ahead every bit as interesting as those we’ve already enjoyed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Steve

🟨 Wednesday Finance Conversation #2: How to Audit Your Spending After 60 and Fund Adventure

Now moving into the seventh month of Ropho, last week’s conversation about the lifestyle gap – the difference between the retirement we imagined and the one our pension alone may provide – reminded me why I started this website in the first place.

It was never meant to be a place where I simply handed out advice. There are already plenty of excellent websites that explain pensions, investments and tax planning.

My ambition was slightly different.

I wanted to create a platform where people over 60 could talk openly about the subjects that really matter.

To debate ideas, share experiences and sometimes even disagree respectfully.

Conversations that aren’t always easy to have, but become much easier when people realise they aren’t facing them alone.

Last week’s finance conversation, together with our earlier discussion about blended families, wills and trusts, generated some of the most thoughtful comments we’ve ever received.

Reading through them taught me something.

Although our circumstances are all different, most of us want exactly the same thing. We want to enjoy our sixties and seventies while we’re healthy enough to do so. Some of us dream of travelling. Others want to help grandchildren through university. Some simply want the reassurance of knowing they have enough money to sleep well at night.

There isn’t a right answer, there are simply different priorities.

One thing did become obvious, though.

Many of you weren’t worried about running out of money.

You simply wanted to make smarter decisions with the money you already have.

As many of you know, when I write my Monday Business Conversations, I can speak with absolute confidence. After more than forty years working with businesses, I’ve seen what works – and perhaps more importantly – what doesn’t.

These Wednesday and Weekend conversations are a little different.

Here, I’m simply sharing my own experiences and opinions, hoping they resonate with you. In fact, researching these finance conversations has made me look at my own finances differently.

More than once I’ve caught myself thinking, “I tell my business clients to review this every year, when was the last time I reviewed my own?”

Which brings us neatly to this week’s conversation.

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The Adventure Fund Audit

When most people hear the words “budget” or “review your spending,” they immediately think about giving things up.

No more restaurant meals.

No more spontaneous weekends away.

Swap the coffee shop for instant coffee.

If that’s what you think this conversation is about, let me put your mind at rest.

We’re not doing that here.

By the time we reach our sixties, most of us have worked far too hard to spend the next twenty or thirty years counting pennies.

You deserve to enjoy your favourite restaurants, travel when the opportunity arises and enjoy the rewards of everything you’ve spent a lifetime building.

But there is a huge difference between spending money on things that genuinely improve your life and allowing money to quietly disappear every month without even noticing.

This week’s challenge is something I call The Adventure Fund Audit.

The aim isn’t to spend less.

It’s to spend more intentionally.

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1. The Low-Hanging Fruit – Finding the Silent Leaks

Before looking for extra income, let’s stop the unnecessary leaks.

These are usually the easiest wins.

The Lazy Cash Trap

One question worth asking is this.

Is your savings account actually working for you?

Many people still have money sitting in current accounts or older savings accounts earning very little interest.

In business we’d probably describe this as idle capital.

At home it’s simply money that could be working harder.

Moving accessible savings into a competitive Cash ISA or higher-interest savings account could generate hundreds of pounds each year without taking any additional risk.

That’s a weekend away simply from moving your money to a better home.

Subscription Creep

Take a look through your bank statements over the last three months.

Streaming services.

Apps.

Magazine subscriptions.

Gym memberships.

How many are you genuinely using?

Cancelling just two £15 monthly subscriptions releases £360 every year.

That’s money you probably won’t even miss.

The Loyalty Tax

Insurance companies, broadband providers and utility suppliers know that many of us simply allow policies to renew automatically.

An hour comparing prices could save several hundred pounds annually.

Loyalty is admirable.

Paying more than necessary isn’t.

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2. The Pension Treasure Hunt

This could be the most rewarding part of today’s audit.

Most of us have changed employers several times throughout our working lives.

Every move often meant joining another workplace pension scheme.

Then life happened.

We moved house.

Companies changed names.

Paperwork disappeared.

Those pension pots were forgotten.

Today, billions of pounds remain sitting in lost or unclaimed pension accounts across the UK.

Some may only contain a few thousand pounds.

Others considerably more.

Why Small Pension Pots Matter

Finding a forgotten £5,000 pension won’t transform your retirement overnight.

But it could pay for the holiday you’ve always promised yourselves.

Help a grandchild.

Provide an emergency fund.

Or simply give you more financial confidence.

Sometimes it’s the unexpected discoveries that make the biggest difference.

Where Do You Start?

The Government’s free Pension Tracing Service helps people locate workplace pension schemes linked to previous employers.

You don’t need account numbers.

Often just remembering where you’ve worked is enough to begin the search.

Once you’ve found them, you can decide whether consolidating those pensions or discussing your options with Pension Wise or an independent financial adviser is appropriate for your circumstances.

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3. The Joy Versus Cost Test

Once you’ve stopped the leaks, it’s time to look at your everyday spending.

Rather than asking,

“Can I afford this?”

Try asking,

“Does this genuinely improve my life?”

If Friday night at your favourite Italian restaurant brings happiness every week…

Keep doing it.

That’s money well spent.

On the other hand, I know from experience how easy it is to spend money on takeaway coffees and convenience food when I’m travelling to see business clients.

Those little purchases don’t feel expensive individually.

Over twelve months they soon add up.

It’s not about restricting yourself.

It’s about making sure your money reflects what’s actually important to you.

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Your Adventure Fund Challenge

This week I’d encourage you to spend one evening doing three simple things.

✅ Review your last three months of bank statements and highlight recurring payments you no longer value.

✅ Write down every employer you’ve worked for and check whether you’ve left behind any forgotten pension pots.

✅ Add together everything you’ve saved or discovered.

That figure becomes your personal Adventure Fund.

You might be amazed how much money has been quietly hiding in plain sight.

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Ropho Reflection

One thing this series has taught me is that financial planning isn’t really about money.

It’s about choices.

Every pound we save from waste is another pound we can spend on experiences, family, travel or simply enjoying life with fewer worries.

For me, that’s what retirement planning should always be about.

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Coffee Break Question ☕

Have you ever discovered money you didn’t realise you had?

Perhaps an old savings account, Premium Bonds, a forgotten pension or simply money you’d been wasting every month without noticing.

I’d genuinely love to hear your stories because, as Ropho continues to grow, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we learn just as much from each other as we do from any expert.

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Next Wednesday…

The Waiting Game: Could Delaying Your Pension Actually Leave You Better Off?

We’ll look at when waiting can make financial sense, when it doesn’t, and I’ll also share some of the excellent suggestions many of you have already contributed.

Good morning everyone.

Sharon and I are one week into our East Coast adventure, working, writing and relaxing from a beautiful lodge here in Essex.

We’ve spent a thoroughly enjoyable few days exploring more of the coastline and, once again, it’s reminded me just how underrated this part of England really is.

From walking around Frinton-on-Sea and Walton-on-the-Naze to visiting a lovely local vineyard, we’ve sampled some fantastic seafood and, of course, had the inevitable debate over what I chose to wear to lunch!

It got me thinking about three questions I’d love your thoughts on this weekend…

💪 1. Is strength training really that important as we get older?

I’ve become a real fan of strength training over the last few years. Nothing extreme—just sensible, regular exercises with dumbbells and resistance bands a few times each week.

I genuinely feel stronger, fitter and have far more energy because of it.

Sharon isn’t quite so convinced, and neither are several of my friends.

They tend to picture heavy weights and intimidating gyms, whereas I see it as an insurance policy for staying active and independent.

If you strength train, what persuaded you to start?

And if you don’t… what’s stopping you?

Drop email below for resistant band workout

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🦪 2. Oysters… the food of love or do they just make you gag?

One of this week’s highlights was discovering just how famous Mersea Island is for its native oysters.

Having eaten oysters in several parts of the world, I have to say the Mersea oyster is right up there. It has a slightly different, wonderfully crisp flavour—but I think that’s exactly what makes it special.

Digging into it, I found a surprising fact. A serving of six oysters contains around 15 grams of high-quality protein, very few calories and is packed with Vitamin B12, zinc, copper and heart-healthy omega-3 oils. No wonder they’re considered a genuine superfood.

So where do you stand?

❤️ Food of love?

🤢 Or do they just make you gag?

And if you do enjoy them, do you chew them, swallow them whole, or prefer them grilled or baked?

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👔 3. Has the sports jacket had its day?

We stopped for lunch at a lovely gastro pub mid-week and I thought I’d pulled together a pretty sharp smart-casual outfit…

A navy blazer…

A classic polo shirt…

Well-fitted jeans…

And brown shoes.

Apparently Sharon wasn’t quite as impressed, and I took a bit of friendly stick for it!

Personally, I still think a structured sports jacket or blazer is the perfect way to smarten up a casual look without feeling overly formal.

What’s your verdict?

👔 Stylish and timeless?

😄 A little old-fashioned?

🤔 Or was it the brown shoes with the navy blazer that crossed the line?

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One Final Thought…

People so often overlook Essex as a holiday destination, but after spending a week exploring its villages, vineyards, coastal paths and beaches, I honestly think it has an incredible amount to offer for a short break.

Sometimes the best hidden treasures are much closer to home than we realise.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and I look forward to reading your comments below!

Steve

Ropho – Pleasure & Business After 60

Welcome to our Wednesday Finance Conversation.

Grab a black coffee—or a quick espresso if you need that extra caffeine kick—and let’s have a real, straight-talking chat.

I was asked an interesting question last week while talking to one of my long-standing business clients.

“Steve, how do you manage to be away so often, whether it’s travelling around the UK or heading overseas? I simply can’t afford it.”

I had to laugh.

Not because it was a silly question, but because I’ve worked with this client for more than six years. I know his company’s finances almost better than I know my own, and I’m fairly certain he’s not short of a few pennies.

As we talked, it struck me that perhaps the issue isn’t always how much money we have. Sometimes it’s about how well we manage what we’ve already got, and whether we’re making the most of the opportunities available to us.

That conversation stayed with me all week.

Many of you have told me that money is one of the subjects you’d most like us to explore together—not because you’re struggling, but because you want to make smarter decisions that help you enjoy life after 60 even more.

So, over the coming months, our Wednesday Finance Conversations will look at a wide range of topics—from pensions and retirement income to investing, working a little longer, turning hobbies into income, and making the most of what you’ve already built.

Today’s conversation begins with a question many people quietly ask themselves…

What happens when your pension isn’t quite what you hoped for?

There’s a very specific kind of quiet anxiety that comes when you open your annual pension statement, look at the final number, and realise it doesn’t quite match the life you had pictured.

Maybe you aren’t staring at a crisis. But you are looking at a lifestyle gap—the difference between a comfortable retirement and the active, travel-filled, intellectually stimulating next chapter you really want to live.

The good news is that a pension shortfall doesn’t have to define your retirement. It can simply become the starting point for making a few thoughtful decisions that help you build the life you want.

How Can You Reduce Spending Without Feeling Deprived?

Before looking at how to bring more money in, the fastest way to give yourself a raise is to look at what’s going out.

This isn’t about living on beans on toast or cutting out the dinners at your favorite local Italian.

Instead, it’s about a strategic efficiency audit. It’s about spotting the passive “leaks”—lazy cash sitting in zero-interest high-street accounts, outdated insurance policies, or unused premium subscriptions—and consciously redirecting those exact savings straight into your travel fund.

Should You Continue Working After 60?

Stepping away from a demanding, 50-hour workweek doesn’t mean you have to stop working entirely. A “portfolio career”—taking on selective, part-time roles or flexible projects—is the perfect halfway house. It keeps your mind sharp, provides a brilliant social outlet, and brings in a highly predictable income stream to fund those spontaneous weekend city breaks.

Can Your Experience Become a New Income Stream?

By the time you reach your 60s, you have decades of high-level problem-solving skills and industry networks. Whatever work you have done, you will have skills that businesses are crying out for, experienced, safe hands who can solve problems without needing hand-holding.

Freelancing or project-based consulting allows you to sell your intellect, not your hours, entirely on your own terms.

4. Turn a Passion Into a Lifestyle Business

Whether it’s photography, writing, gardening, or a craft you’ve spent decades refining, the digital world has made it incredibly simple to build a small, highly enjoyable business around a hobby. When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like work—but the extra income can easily fund your next holiday to Crete or Thailand.

5. Play the Strategic Waiting Game

If you are earning an income through consulting or a small business, you might not need to draw your pension benefits immediately. Delaying when you take them can dramatically increase your future guaranteed payouts. For instance, in the UK, deferring your State Pension by just one year boosts your weekly payouts by roughly 5.8% for the rest of your life.

6. Claim Your Ground (Hidden Allowances & Lost Pots)

True financial realism means ensuring you aren’t leaving your own money on the table. This means maximizing your tax-free ISA allowances, structuring your cash withdrawals efficiently, and actively hunting down “lost” pension pots from previous employers.

Where to Get Free, Trusted Help

You don’t have to figure all of this out alone, and you don’t necessarily need to pay a premium for a private financial adviser right out of the gate. There are fantastic, free, and completely impartial resources available in the UK to help you map out your options:

• Pension Wise (from MoneyHelper): A free, government-backed service specifically for people aged 50 or over. They offer highly clear, specialist telephone or face-to-face appointments to explain your pension options.
• The MoneyHelper Service: Provides free, unbiased advice on everything from budgeting and savings to trace-a-pension services.
• Citizens Advice: An invaluable resource for checking if you are entitled to any specific local council tax support or marriage allowances you might have overlooked.

Of course, if you have a highly complex estate, checking in with a regulated, independent financial adviser (IFA) is always a smart move to get personalised tax planning.

Let’s Build This Together

An unexpected pension number is simply a prompt to get creative. It’s an invitation to build a retirement that is far more active, purposeful, and intellectually stimulating than the traditional model.

Over the coming Wednesdays, we are going to dive deep into each of these areas with highly practical, real-world blueprints.

☕ Coffee Break Question

If an extra £5,000 appeared in your bank account tomorrow, what would you do with it?

Would you travel, help the family, improve your home, save it for the future, or finally treat yourself to something you’ve always wanted?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments because many of your ideas often inspire future Wednesday Finance Conversations.

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Next Wednesday…

We’ll carry out The Adventure Fund Audit and see how many of us could fund our next adventure simply by plugging a few quiet financial leaks—without feeling deprived.

Football, Spice, Beer… and a Trip to the Coast

Introduction

This weekend is bringing some of my favourite things together.

As discussed in Wednesday’s post, for the next three weeks we are embarking on a travel adventure, searching out new coastal gems, hotels, pubs, and restaurants—no plans set in stone.

First stop on Thursday was family time and new baby cuddles in Hampshire.

Now, it’s a scenic drive to Sharon’s sister’s lodge in Essex for a week of relaxation and time to write some informative and enjoyable PDFs and e-books.

My Weekend Questions

• Can England finally win the World Cup, and why are there suddenly so many experts?
• Why do beer, football, and curry go together?
• Why is turmeric good for us?
• We all know smiling is good for us… but what if you can’t get out of your bad mood?
• And why is the coast so good for my soul?

Because of the late kick-off, we are going to watch the football at the lodge.

The fridge has been stocked, the curry menu is already being debated, and somehow my wife—who barely watches football the rest of the year—has become the nation’s newest football pundit. Apparently, every referee decision is obvious… after the fifth replay!

But perhaps that’s one of the things I enjoy most about tournament football. It brings everyone together, whether they’re lifelong supporters or experts for just a few weeks every two years.

⚽ Football Conversation

Why does every England tournament create so many football experts?

My wife only watches major tournaments, yet somehow she instantly knows:

• who should be substituted
• why the manager got it wrong
• whether it was definitely a penalty.

I’m sure many households are exactly the same.

Question for readers: Who is the part-time football expert in your family and are England finally going to win the World Cup again, my wife says they will?

🌶️ Food Conversation

Why do football, curry, and beer seem to go together?

It’s become almost a tradition now. Wherever we watch England, at home or in a pub somewhere, we nearly always end up with beer, football, and a curry.

Sometimes it’s in a restaurant, and sometimes—as will be the case this Saturday—it’s a well-deserved takeaway. It’s not obligatory, and any takeaway can work, but my preference is always for curry.

Saturday football. A pint. And a curry.

Perhaps it’s because curries are perfect for sharing with family and friends while watching sport. The spices, aromas, and variety make every meal feel like an occasion.

My Top Five Curries:

1. Chicken Jalfrezi
2. Lamb Rogan Josh
3. Chicken Tikka Masala
4. Madras
5. Balti

There are so many to choose from, but these are just some of my favourites.

Question for readers: What’s your favourite curry?

🟡 Health Conversation

Why is turmeric considered so good for us?

Turmeric contains curcumin, a natural compound that research suggests has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Scientists continue to study its potential role in:

• reducing inflammation
• supporting joint health
• helping recovery after exercise
• supporting brain health as we age.

It isn’t a miracle spice—but it’s certainly one ingredient many healthy diets include.

😊 Mindset Conversation

We all know smiling is good for us… but what do you do when you simply can’t smile?

Some days just don’t go to plan. We’ve all had those mornings when nothing seems right. I’ve learnt not to force happiness. Instead, I try something simple.

Maybe it’s:

• going for a walk
• making a coffee
• putting some music on
• watching an old comedy
• chatting to someone
• or simply changing my surroundings.

Sometimes the smallest change is enough to shift your mood.

Question for readers: What helps lift your mood when you’re having one of those days?

🌊 Looking Ahead

Why I can’t wait to get back to the coast

This week I’ll finally be spending a few days by the sea. I’ve always found there’s something calming about the coast.

The sound of the waves. The smell of the sea air. Fish and chips eaten outside.

A long walk without looking at the clock. For me, it’s one of the few places where life naturally slows down.

Perhaps it’s because the sea reminds us that some things are far bigger than the emails, meetings, and worries we carry around.

After a couple of days by the coast, I always return feeling lighter. I’m already looking forward to it.

Question for readers: If you could disappear anywhere for a few days, where would you go?

Final Thoughts

Football. Friends. A good curry. Maybe a cold beer. A laugh with family. And a walk beside the sea.

Sometimes the best weekends are built from life’s simplest pleasures.

Have a wonderful week.

Steve

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.

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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.