Jimmy, i was forced into early retirement as the workplace shut down. Felt a bit lost at first and then worked a little for an agency which suited me. Then, at 59, i decided to just stop and do something for me. It was great and still prefer not to work. I suspect your pension will be adequate to live on until the state pension arrives. Enjoy the break and when the licence is returned, a lot more bike riding whenever you like.
Look very carefully at the pension. If you take the lower lump sum, you will pay more income tax when the state pension comes. I lost 50 out of that and pay tax on top.
Take the higher sum and pay less tax when the state pension comes in.
Spend the higher payment on bikes and holidays and if any left, use it on wine and women.
Seriously though, watch out on taxation on that pension. Yours will be the same local government scheme as mine and i thought i would get a full state pension without a deduction before i even got it.