New adventures
OVER-50s are officially fabulous. Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes says so. They’re more intent on meeting people from other countries and cultures than younger generations.
“My generation want more adventure from holidays,” he says. “We have time to explore and indulge the things we are passionate about, so new experiences are more important.”
Sir Ranulph, who was responding to research by Saga Travel that over-50s are shunning sunloungers in favour of exploration, became the first person ever to have climbed Everest and crossed both polar ice-caps in 2009, when he was 65.
“Escaping the office to lie by a pool surrounded by other Brits never appealed to me,” he says – and it doesn’t always appeal to other older people.
Betty Chinnock, 83, got a taste for adventure in her 70s on a road trip in Canada and is planning more now since moving to a McCarthy
& Stone Retirement Living apartment.
Betty (right) moved to Brueton Place in Solihull, West Midlands, after returning from holiday to find an attempted break-in. “The intruders damaged the back door and gate,” she says. “But at Brueton Place I can leave in the knowledge that my home will be safe while I am on holiday. “My family feel comfortable knowing my property and I are safe.” Brueton Place is a mile from Touchwood shopping centre and Solihull high street. Its transport links include a bus service to Birmingham every six minutes.
The development, designed exclusively for over-60s, is gated, set back from the road and has landscaped gardens. It has a communal lounge with free wifi. There’s parking and pets are welcome. One flat remains unsold, a one-bedroom apartment for £270,000 (0800 201 4811; mccarthyandstone.co.uk).
But there are plenty available at Linden Place in Solihull, between the hospital and leisure centre.
The 32 one and twobedroom flats, built for over-55s, all have a patio or balcony and the same facilities as Brueton Place. There is also a guest suite for residents’ guests.
One-bedroom flats cost from £279,950; two-bedroom flats cost from £379,950, with weekly service charge and ground rates totalling £50.43 and £72.90 respectively.
Both developments have a camera entry system, 24-hour call system and an on-site house manager.
Saga Travel (saga.co.uk) caters for over-50s and says their wanderlust is growing: “Great weather, culture, history, wildlife, exciting journeys and the people they might meet are all critical,” says managing director Maria Whiteman.