When I took early retirement from work, I knew it wouldn't be long before I found something I'd enjoy doing, a couple of days a week. I'd had an office job for over 30 years, sitting at a desk and talking to customers every day on the phone.
To finally get out of that situation was the best thing I'd done. The stress that comes with responsibility is hard to control, so by volunteering with Canal & River Trust was an easy choice, as I'd always enjoyed being around the canal, even as a youngster growing up in the area.
Lifelong enjoyment
I was born in Trevor and have lived here all my life. I remember playing on the canal and around the famous Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the freedom it gave to me and my friends.
The enjoyment and satisfaction that can be found just being on the towpath is amazing. And by actually joining in with the towpath taskforce is even better. The variation and choice of jobs to keep me occupied is something that keeps me coming back.
What better way to keep healthy outdoors?
Our jobs are never heavy. There is always something different to do every time we meet, and the banter and camaraderie with my fellow volunteers is something I look forward to. Any stress that was felt by anyone would be non-existent; it's a perfect time to relax.
Our supervisor supplies all the relevant tools for the varying jobs, and we enjoy our pre-task talks, choosing our favourite tools! We have an old faithful wheelbarrow that has been here longer than we have, but despite our jokes about it and the amount of use it gets, it still gives us good service!
It's always a bonus when I hear passer's-by comment on what we've done in the area to make things look good; it gives me a great sense of well-being and pride. It may only be something little that enhances the looks of the area, but the before and after pictures show the amount of work and time that has gone into it. Visitors are keen to talk and find out about the history of the area, and I enjoy explaining things to them, having lived here all my life.
Spectacular wildlife and views
While working at the canal side, you are surrounded by the local wildlife, and you get to see it up close. The smells and sounds of the countryside are always changing at different times of the year, and the colours are spectacular in the Dee valley.
You have to have a good head for heights, working on the World Heritage Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, but it doesn't bother me. I'm just glad there are no tunnels in the immediate vicinity, as that's one thing I don't enjoy going through.
I hope that I can still be active for a few more years on the canal with an amazing ‘office' to keep working in!
