Hi Doug.
I have only been retired for a couple of years - but work seems a lifetime away.
I suggest to all "approaching retirees".. like yourself.
Make sure you have 3 things that you have been enjoying (within the limits of what can be done in life).
- Companionship: The dozen or more people you spoke to from leaving for work to returning won't be there every day... So develop some more contacts in your hobbies and expected retirement occupation(s) so you don't feel "alone" when you retire. (My sister collects her newspaper - and her neighbours', every day instead of getting it delivered. That gets her out, and she meets the people daily, in all weathers, if only for a few words. She couldn't do that when rushing off to work every day! Little things make a significant difference.)
- Rewards: Salary becomes Pension. But costs change as well. Commuting costs disappear, Heating costs go up... (not using "the workplace hot air" to heat your body!). Etc. But the rewards of completing whatever it is now each day will disappear... so you will need a new something to fulfil your ambition each day, even if the rewards take a new form. My new "rewards" come from finding a solution to "mechanical" problems, as in this chat line, amongst other things.
- Occupation: Having taken "work" away, you need something new to fill a big chunk of that time, as decorating and "following the Missus to the shops" will get tiresome. - And she will probably leave you! - She needs her life to retain her freedom, personal space, or whatever.
- Talk to your Missus about what she wants to do when you retire. - I didn't, and possibly things were a bit rougher than I expected for a few months, until we worked out how to be retired together. This stress is normal, but almost all relationships, built with half a lifetime's history, work it out.
Retirement is what most of us work for half our lives, and our bodies need it. But our minds need plenty of "brain challenges" to keep good, and happy. Maybe a bit slower, or need a bit more sleep, but still need the exercise.
Nuff said there.
I'll do some check calculations on the boiler later today (probably). Can the "whistle" take-off be opened out a few thou? - or a 1/32"? Check it and see how it performs "on full fire" with the steam take-off valve shut? 1/8" may be OK, as the fire and boiler geometry make a difference. Maybe use a stainless steel connector rather than brass, if that allows a larger hole? Can you set the Safety valve directly into the boiler hole? - It does not need to be vertical, but does need to be above where the water is frothing on the surface when boiling. It is designed to eject steam, not water. You can always fit a shroud to point the steam in a direction away from the operator. I have seen boilers that blast steam sideways, or vertically into the face of the fireman! = Not good! I sometimes add a large tube over a safety valve so any discharge goes to the top of the tent away from Joe Public (and my face) when I am steaming. My head is usually higher than the table where the boiler sits, and a blast of steam under the chin always makes me jump!
Regards,
K2