G’day! You’re probably assuming the Platypus Man is an Australian, in which case you’ve been had!

I’m English and live in the UK. “Platypus” is a mischievous red herring on my part, although “man” is accurate. Mrs P reckons “grumpy old man” would be even more accurate, and who am I to argue?

The story of why I blog under the name of Platypus Man is told here. If you are crazy enough to be interested in my back-story, I wrote a couple of posts in May 2020 that offer glimpses of my past, and provide links to other relevant posts. Those posts are Liebster Award Part 1, and Liebster Award Part 2. Read and enjoy…or maybe not!

The Platypus Man is no stranger to blogging. To date there have been four travel blogs: Tasmania (2016), Newfoundland (2017), Yellowstone USA (2018) and New Zealand (2019).

This blog is very different from its road trip predecessors. It sets out to record the reflections of the Platypus Man in his 64th year and beyond, and pretentiously claims its remit to be life, the universe and everything. However the main focus is on UK wildlife and travel – much of it in and around my home county of Derbyshire – along with bits of history, social commentary and moans about the injustice of aging.  There’s also lots of stuff about cats and folk music. I can guarantee a few laughs, and also the occasional rant.  Some of it is even quite well written!

Unless otherwise credited, all photographs illustrating my words are by my estimable other half, aka Mrs P.

I’m not so vain as to believe that more than a handful of people will ever read what I write. The value of this blog is largely selfish, in that it is a vehicle that will drive me to continue thinking – and writing – at a time in my life when most things seem like too much trouble. Additionally, it offers a welcome opportunity to share comments and ideas with fellow bloggers whose outlook on life is similar to my own. Other than that, Now I’m 64 is entirely pointless. Which, I suppose, is the point.

The Platypus Man, January 2020

UPDATE, April 2021: Now I’m 64 started out as a weekly blog, but by the time I’d reached the grand old age of 65 this was proving to be a bit onerous. Blogging is meant to reflect the rest of my life, not get in its way. So I’ve decided that in future I’ll try to write around 30 posts per year. I’ll aim to publish fortnightly from March to October inclusive. Between November and February, when days are shorter and distractions fewer, I shall – hopefully – write three or four posts every month. Lets see how it goes…I can always knock out additional posts if the fancy takes me, but – as things stand, anyway – I’d be reluctant to write any fewer. Posts will always be published on Wednesdays, around 3am (UK time).