Sorry to be just catching up. I see your ups and downs. Normal. Crappy, but normal.
Your goals are fantastic. I still don't have any. I guess I am past "just survive" but haven't made any other real goals.
Scotland, lovely lady, tandem bikes and dogs and babies all sound wonderful. And it CAN happen. My sis had her first kid at 42.
If there is one thing I have learned, it's that we DON'T know what's going to happen. Could be anything. Could be your partner of 22 years walking out on you. Could be bumping into a Scottish lassie...your eyes lock...she walks you out to her tandem bike...