"..... Leavin' on a jet plane ....."
What's going on? Everybody's retiring! They may not be leavin' on Peter, Paul and Mary's jet plane*, but they're off!
Since the turn of the year we learn that Peter Jones, the birdman, is hanging up his binoculars; Karl Smallman, doyen of photographic journalism and website building is stepping down; and Paul Whitelock, "Jack of all trades" is slowing down. All three are "hanging up their boots".
Peter, Paul and Mary [Wikipedia]
* see link below
Peter Jones (b. ca. 1949)
Peter has been part of the lives of birdwatchers in the Serrania de Ronda for a quarter of a century. He has been a columnist for SUR in English, throughout that time.
I know Peter. I can't remember how we came across each other, as I am not a "twitcher", but we've met a few times. He's a near neighbour, so maybe that's it.
He's a very nice man.
Peter Jones (Facebook)
Peter has reached retirement age and has announced that he will retire finally in a year's time, when he and his wife Brenda will move on to pastures new.
Peter writes: "It breaks my heart to now be forced to look far beyond my mountains for a new abode to while away the twilight years. It is a daunting prospect and not a path I could have foreseen or chosen. Where and what will 2026 bring?"
Karl Smallman (b. ca. 1958)
A photo-journalist by training, he brought his skills to the Serrania de Ronda some 25 years ago. Whilst in Spain Karl has worked independently, but also for The Olive Press, The EuroWeekly News and SUR in English, where he was assistant editor, when he announced his retirement.
Karl Smallman [Diario Sur]
Karl has reached retirement age and has decided to step away from his somewhat hectic lifestyle, but I bet he'll still have an important contribution to make to life in the Serrania de Ronda, through his photography and his website www.secretserrania.com.
I first met Karl in a furniture shop in Ronda some 20 years ago, together with his lovely wife Jill.
A few years later, after leaving my stint at The Olive Press in 2010, I worked with Karl on a website called Secret Andalucia, now defunct.
When I contacted Karl in 2015 and offered to contribute articles to his newly developed website Secret Serrania de Ronda, Karl knew what I was capable of and he was delighted to take me on board.We meet frequently, both at local events, and also as members of the Club de Prensa de la Costa del Sol (Costa Press Club).
Paul Whitelock (b. 1950)
Paul retired early, aged 55, from his career in education in 2005 and emigrated to Spain in 2008.
He had already started writing and had had articles published in The Guardian, North Wales Living, Olive Country Life (Alcala), and, since he moved to Andalucia, The EuroWeekly News, SUR in English, El Hacho Magazine and the website Eye on Spain.
When he first landed in the Serrania de Ronda, he worked for a year at The Olive Press, but now prefers to concentrate on his own website www.help-me-ronda.com and the afore-mentioned www.eyeonspain.com.
Paul Whitelock [Secret Serrania]
The problem is Paul was also translating, renovating houses, selling houses, gardening aas well as socialising. Now he's seen the light and has decided to retire - ha! ha!
He still interprets and translates, hardly physically demanding, gardens on his own terms, and will still socialise, of course.
But, absolutely no more house reforms, holiday rentals and getting "ripped off" by people who don't pay up!
Links
Leaving, On a Jet Plane ("Greatest Hits" Version)
"Leaving on a Jet Plane" (Peter, Paul and Mary/John Denver) - Classic Song of the Day
Rogues Gallery – the name and shame blog
© Pablo de Ronda
Pictures:
Diario Sur, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones, Secret Serrania, Wikipedia
Thanks:
Karl Smallman, Pablo de Ronda, Paul Whitelock, Peter Jones,
Tags:
