u/Majestic-Muffin-8955

I am curious to hear if anyone started a career in science research, or technical work, after 40. I have an undergraduate degree in life sciences and a Masters in science policy and communication, plus a lot of years in institutes and science research charities writing reports and analysing papers. But I'm tired of slinging words back and forth. And I also think AI has come for my job.

I miss learning and I have not lost my curiosity for various topics across zoology and microbiology. Money is no longer a limiting issue and in the future, I might be able to get by fine with just a modest-paying job. But what could I realistically do? Is there any research path which would be hands on, require a lot of technical learning, and take me interesting places? Can anyone share ideas or experiences?

Anyone know how to get replacement poles for the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 tent without having to get them shipped over from the US?

I’m cycling to the Netherlands via France and Belgium, starting from England. I’d originally planned to get a little Germany in, but I’m not sure I can reach it now, or if I have the will to.

The weather has been awful… Every time I check the forecast it’s as though the rain just keeps extending more and more into the coming days. It really takes the fun out of the trip to be constantly trying to keep dry and warm, or to wait out the rain, or dry clothes out. I’m feeling really dispirited and wish I’d bought extra waterproofs, or just stayed home.

Any pep talks, anyone? I was following the Eurovelo routes starting with EV 5. But as it’s been too wet to camp, I‘ve gone city to city in Belgium and I’m now in Antwerp, wondering what to do. The route between Lille-Ghent-Antwerp was also pretty urban and ugly, though I suspected it would be. I guess I could go to Wallonia for some trees instead of farmland…?

Ideally women over 40. But that's a hard ask so younger is okay too.

I have already read or own (and like)... Drive your plough over the bones of the dead by O Tokarczuk, All my puny sorrows by M Toews, the Broken Earth trilogy, The Masquerade trilogy by S Dickinson, and Butter by A Yuzuki.

I'm not into grim crime thrillers about smarmy serial killers and murdered women, so I haven't looked at the Scarpetta series...