Life's been much of a muchness, lately, with (mostly) the usual activities punctuating the days and weeks.
Bending, stretching and om-ing at the still continuing twice weekly (sometimes there are three) yoga sessions. I don't seem to get better at it but oh, I love it which is surely the point?
Classes were spiced up last weekend with a yoga camp in town, comprising of lots of tasters, both of the yoga (aerial yoga? I think not) and food variety, over two days.
Venturing into the garden after the winter hiatus. It's not a big plot by any means but it's a challenging one. An odd shape with generally poor soil, it's overlooked (for over ten years we backed onto a field from which a housing estate sprang up) and a large part of it gets very little sunlight.
Of course, with two cats and a Boo, it's regularly trampled by twelve paws of varying sizes. But it's not completely barren out there and, if you look hard enough, there are signs of life and the odd spot of colour.
Abstaining from book buying. I wanted to give up something meaningful for Lent and so, when the Girlie suggested not purchasing any books for the duration, I thought why not? How hard could that be?
Ooh, turns out it's a killer for someone who cannot walk past a book shop/stand/pile and who carries a notebook to jot down the titles of future reads/purchases. It has to be much harder than cutting out chocolate (I don't eat that much these days) or cake (no-one else here appreciates vegan cakes so I don't bake any) or biscuits (apart from the occasional vegan flapjack in Costa, I haven't indulged lately).
The only other possible contender for abstention was porridge, but if I gave that up I'd very possibly expire (I eat a lot of it, at all times of the day. And night).
So books it was.
Is.
Reading has still featured. Of necessity, I've been dipping into the (substantial) TBR pile (one book was an accidental re-read which seems to happen rather a lot these days) and borrowing from the library. I should do the latter more often but have a 'thing' about books which have been in many hands (I only borrow recent acquisitions). I suppose I could wear rubber gloves whilst reading.
Recommending, from the books read so far this year (links in the sidebar):
- Dark Pines (a small town in rural Sweden, a young journalist, a brutal murder)
- The Stranger Diaries (a chilling piece of Gothic literature seems to be being played out in real life)
- The Hunting Party (a group of old university friends meet up in the Scottish highlands. One of them will die. But which one? And whodunnit?)
- Us Against You (the sequel to the equally excellent Beartown. If you haven't already devoured these two, go binge read).
Attending a meet the author event, where Martin Edwards talked about the golden age of crime fiction and his latest novel. It's always interesting to hear how authors approach writing.
Of course, all the afore mentioned Lenten fasting meant I was unable to add to the book stash from the stall in the corner but, fortunately, I'd bought one of his books (my first and the current book at bedtime which is proving to be very enjoyable) before the ban which was then duly signed on the night.
Re-connecting with the knitting needles. I bought a kit from Etsy which, hopefully, will be transformed into something cuddly to include in someone's Easter parcel. So far, so good, but I need to get a move on.
Searching for a new lunch venue. The cafe in the town's modern art gallery, which was the perfect meeting place (the food was delicious and it was spacious enough to linger for hours) for lunch and catch ups with friends and family, was closed down suddenly (the local university currently manage the building and have 'plans').
I'm now on a mission to find an alternative that meets some exacting criteria. The first on the list was a newly opened cafe in the recently renovated Town Hall. An article in the local newspaper had promisingly likened it to Ottolenghi's. Being a fan of Yotem and very familiar with his London eateries, I was optimistic. The reality was disappointing.
The quest continues.
Sauntering in the Priory near the Boy's apartment before heading off for coffee and cake. I was half tempted to pick some wild garlic (it was everywhere) but couldn't decide what to do with it. Plus, erm, dogs.
Venturing into the forest when the littlest paid a visit. We stuck to the easy trail but intend to return soon to venture further.