100 years old and bloody interesting

I've just interviewed a man who’s having his 100th birthday party today. Really interesting chap, and he talks on timescales that blow your mind. He's had three or four careers, all four times longer than mine so far.

For his very first day at work, as a trainee tailor, he set off on a delivery bike, sandwiches in the basket.

On his way he was ran down by a lorry - spent some time in hospital, never started the job.

He's now been retired 35 years. He doesn't drink tap water - doesn't like the chemicals, so collects rainwater. Regularly paints and sketches still, and plays the banjo. He won a cap in 1929 for best bowling average at his cricket club. Used to take photos for the same paper I write for; was paid a guinea a shot.

He says that having lots of interests is the key to a long life. I’ll post a link to the story once it’s done. This guy is awesome.

Last thing he said to me was that he wishes he was my age.

Cool. Although he's not nearly as old; my landlord has some amazing stories to tell. I look forward to reading your article.

My great-great-aunt turned 106 in June, its amazing to think what she has lived through.

Her secret to long life is drink: I gave her a bottle of baileys and one of sherry for her birthday, and she always drinks before bed!

It's funny when old people suggest a slightly odd habit is the reason for their long life.

Is it any funnier than the odd habits that younger people suggest for hypothetical longevity?

Doesn't help that journalists always ask, "what's the secret to long-life?"

It's fascinating, though. I think this chap may have nailed it with "lots of interests". He's kept his body and mind active, had a thoroughly interesting life and stayed cheerful.

Oh, and the rainwater...

I visited my uncle last week, who just turned 94 - it was sad because I'm pretty sure it was the last time I'll see him, but I'm glad I did it. He made me promise to fulfil the wishes of a dying man - to play two Sufi dervishes at his funeral service, serve Champagne and smoked salmon at the wake and tell people not to wear black.

Is it any funnier than the odd habits that younger people suggest for hypothetical longevity?

yes.

Doesn't help that journalists always ask, "what's the secret to long-life?"

It's fascinating, though. I think this chap may have nailed it with "lots of interests". He's kept his body and mind active, had a thoroughly interesting life and stayed cheerful.

Oh, and the rainwater...

think the rain-water is better than tap water in london too? Or will it get soiled by fumes on the way down?

yes.

I forgot you rarely fraternise with young people, being middle-aged before your time and whatnot.

think the rain-water is better than tap water in london too? Or will it get soiled by fumes on the way down?

London tap water is very good, it's just hard. You're right about London rain water, it'd most likely not be all too healthy given it readily absorbs Carbon & Sulphur, which are prevelent in cities, resulting in acidity.

Ah, but me and Percy are out here in Norfolk, where the rain is as pure as the driven rain.

I gave up buying bottled water years ago, and recently stopped filtering water too. I've kept the water filter jug (minus the insert), fill it with tap water, and bung it in the fridge.

The 'nice taste' that people think they're getting from bottled/filtered water, is just a result of the chilling. Chilled tap water = win. We're already paying for it, FFS.

And I've got a stainless steel water bottle from here, which is great.

Bottled Water

The biggest worldwide con EVER - FACT!

Bollocks.

My weekends are all about Frizzante.

Bottled Water

The biggest worldwide con EVER - FACT!

Nearly.

...but then, I am an urban sophisticate.

Ah, but me and Percy are out here in Norfolk, where the rain is as pure as the driven rain.

So it's not the genetic diversity that's given him his longlife then!

My great-great-aunt turned 106 in June, its amazing to think what she has lived through.

Her secret to long life is drink: I gave her a bottle of baileys and one of sherry for her birthday, and she always drinks before bed!

My grandad re-married and fathered a child when about 92, he died around the age of 110.

I guess his secret was chain-smoking, right till the end. Pipes, cigarettes, chewing tobacco anything. He loved the stuff.

I gave up buying bottled water years ago, and recently stopped filtering water too. I've kept the water filter jug (minus the insert), fill it with tap water, and bung it in the fridge.

The 'nice taste' that people think they're getting from bottled/filtered water, is just a result of the chilling. Chilled tap water = win. We're already paying for it, FFS.

And I've got a stainless steel water bottle from here, which is great.

I cannot drink more than a sip of chilled water at a time, just wont go down. I actually like drinking tepid/warmish water even on a hot day.

In terms of the tap water thing, of course we should be extremely grateful for having safe drinking water coming out of a tap at our homes. It is better water than most people in the world are drinking.

But the fact it contains flouride, chlorine, aluminium and other additives are undeniable and it is a reasonable decision to not drink it. Chronic consumption of any substance builds up in the body. When archaeologists dig up old skeletons they can find out exactly where the person was from/where they drank, from the mineral composition of their bones. Substances in your daily drinking water build up in your body, and it is a very fair opinion that things like flouride are best kept out of the body.

This does not mean people who make this choice must buy thousands of tiddly plastic bottles of french mineral water. Some people have access to spring water near their homes, other people can buy regional spring water, get a filter installed under their tap or collect rainwater just like this old fella sparky interviewed.

I visited my uncle last week, who just turned 94 - it was sad because I'm pretty sure it was the last time I'll see him, but I'm glad I did it. He made me promise to fulfil the wishes of a dying man - to play two Sufi dervishes at his funeral service, serve Champagne and smoked salmon at the wake and tell people not to wear black.

That's sweet man.

Pete Seeger's 147 and still being awesome.

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Does that mean that if I drink enough tap water my skeleton will become aluminium?

What do I have to drink to get a titanium skeleton? It's lighter and has a better feel.

You got a thing for Wolverine?

Nah, Wolverine was Adamantium.

Standdd, and deliverrr. Yoilyoilyoilll!