Sunday

A good Sunday so far, had a bit of a lie-in followed by lots of tea, a nice lunch and the Monacco grand prix on telly - one of my favourites, now it is a case of more tea and Jaws 2 on SyFy - can't complain!

Still here

Yep - they're still here, OH's mates after watching the footie, now on the X-box...hoping it won't be a late one!

Birdwatching tips

I love birdwatching and over the years I have found some tips that make it a more enjoyable, successful event! I have made a Squidoo lense about it HERE

Well, the other-half has friends coming round to watch the football tonight (yawn) so I am off out to one of my non-football loving friend's houses to watch anything but. Tea-drinking, telly-watching and gossip-talking will be much more of my kind of thing! By the time I get home, they will still be here but the game will be over and I predict the X-Box will be on...ah well, I may have to blog then as I will be banished to the office! Watch this space :)

4am

Hi all just a quick one, 4am and all is quiet although the birds are starting to wake up! About to turn in, will blog in the morning.
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Cold!

Well, as I look out of the window all I can see are very dark clouds and trees blowing quite violently - it is May but feels more like winter, time to get under the blanket on the sofa and put the telly on!
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The Grave Tattoo by Val Mcdermid

The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book, the beginning got me hooked and it carried on to deliver more. The descriptions of the main character's life, people she knows and the dramatic settings was great and I found myself 'there', it isn't a book you can just flick through, it needs time and concentration but it is worth it. I have loaned mine to 2 people since who both also enjoyed it so thats a good recommendation in itself!



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USS Indianapolis

This is a story that has always interested me and made so angry at the same time, the tragedy of the loss of sailor's lives and the monumental series of cock-ups by the navy that led to nobody acknowledging the fact that the ship had been attacked by the Japanese and sunk leaving over 900 men in the shark-infested water for 5 days.
You can read more about it in my article HERE

Enforced day off.

Well, it wasn't the perfect reason but I was up all night feeling stomachy, the result of a curry that didn't suit I think, but that's enough info! So as I had no sleep I grabbed a couple of hours this morning. I did manage to wobble to the bank and shop to buy soup though. Hopefully later I can read some of my book, I'm not really enjoying it to be honest but have to finish it out of principle! Watch this space for the review...
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Goodreads

I am having a good time expanding my experience on goodreads, I've done a couple of reviews and am trying to remember the books I've read - there are a lot! I like the internet for this reason, new contacts, connections with friends and knowledge to learn! The only problem is that the days go so quickly - have to fit working in too. Anyway, back to it!

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This is one of the best books I have ever read - up there in my top 5, the descriptions were amazing, I could visualise all the settings, places and people in my mind and the story carried me along beautifully. I was really sorry when it ended!



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The End of Mr. Y by Scarlett Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I think this is the kind of book you love or hate - I pesonally loved it, it tackled theories I already had an interest in and the flow of the story suited me. There were a couple of parts that seemed a bit hard to plough through but in general I found myself eager to read more and was sorry when it ended. It will make your brain work overtime though - be warned!



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Why Walking Poles Are Useful For Hiking

Why Walking Poles Are Useful For Hiking

4pm - no work done yet!

I have had, so far, a very productive day, but a day where no actual work has been done, instead I have been updating online things. Google profile, Goodreads page, Blogger and Linkedin have all so far had the treatment, not sure what to tackle next, maybe that's enough for today and I should get on with the articles I need to do, or indeed list some books onto the Rehome-a-Book shop - they are piling up somewhat! A coffee first will help me decide...and maybe a biscuit.

New design

I thought it was about time to update the blog a bit, this lovely space-themed design fits my 'night-owl' lifestyle and I love astronomy so it's all good! Hope you like it.

Sorry

Haven't posted much this week - been busy, we had another funeral on Tuesday then Wednesday was taken up doing things I couldn't do on Tuesday - I'm not really sure what day it is to be honest! Nevermind, everything is getting back to it's normal routine - I hope.

Bruce's beloved Big 4

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Bruce

Well, yesterday we had a day of memories and tributes to our friend Bruce at his funeral, aside from the rain it was a lovely event and he would have enjoyed it too - I feel he was there chuckling away! The sheer number of people who turned out was a testament to him and how popular he was, it was very much a motorcycle do, some beautiful bikes and great people. His Norton Big 4 was there in the church - his pride and joy, never restored or updated, just kept going in style. We'll miss you Bruce but I know you are happier now.

1am

Its odd, even with all the germs currently floating around my system my sleep patterns haven't changed. I imagine for a normal 'night-sleeper' when ill they sleep later in the mornings and earlier at night, but I seem to be in my normal rhythm, fall asleep at about 3am, up at 10ish. Just an observation. Perhaps if I had flu or something with a fever it would be a different story...

Anyway, I hope you are all germ free wherever you are!

Backpack Bear

My good friend Backpack Bear has started a blog, noting sights and bearish musing from the places we go! Do follow at backpackbear.blogspot.com

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Mid-storm double rainbow.
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Urgh

Just checking in, still full of tonsillitis and ear infection, I won't go on - too depressing!

We had an epic storm here last night, never seen lightning like it here and the thunder was very dramatic, it lasted for hours! About half way through we had a lull and a stunning double rainbow appeared - photo to follow. Today is fresh and breezy as a result which is lovely.

Anyhow, must get on, have to struggle to the bank...

Gothic Architecture Article

'Gothic architecture is the term used to describe the style of building first seen in the 12th century that carried on through to the 16th century...'

Read the rest of my article HERE

Relapse!

Well, I thought i was on the mend...but no. Yesterday afternoon my right ear went muffled - I am now fairly deaf due to congestion inside my head, and it hurts to swallow - I'm guessing tonsilitis, it feels familiar! So I am drinking plenty, trying to lip read and being as patient as possible. When I was at the doctors last week for another matter I heard the receptionist say there weren't any appointments until the middle of this week - and that was then so there is little point in trying - heal thy self I guess! Anyway enough about me, how are you?!

1.49am - going to do some work type stuff while the ibuprofen is doing it's job.

Rain

Thank goodness my cold seems to be lifting, still feeling heady but I think its going, slowly! One thing I'm sure helped was we had a great thunder storm last night, freshened the air and lightened the mood somewhat. The surrounding countryside here is already looking greener and I'm sure the veggies will benefit, a bit more is needed so it can soak into the ground a good distance mind you, hope for more overnight or tomorrow!

Right, I'm off to do the ironing now that I can stand up without my head swimming - bye for now!

Cold

Definitely a cold type thing. I have taken to my sofa and am letting it ride it's course. Hope you are ok, see you on the flip side!

Cold or hay fever?

I'm not sure which I've got. I have the swollen throat and back of the nose like you get when a cold is staring, but I haven't got a headache, sore throat or and 'bunged up' feeling. Equally I don't have itchy eyes like hay fever.... I guess I'll have to wait and see. Great! Mind you, sleep would be good, could last night due to feeling cruddy, perhaps an afternoon nap will be in order...

Anyway, I hope you are all well out there!
Bye for now.

Birds

There has been a Jackdaw and two Blackbirds arguing outside my kitchen window all day! It seems to be over food, very dramatic. So this afternoon I decided to have break and go down to my folk's garden where I potter as you know. We now have the sticks up for the runner beans, the peas are growing well and everything in the greenhouses is doing great...we just need some rain! Hopefully soon, but until then it is on with the watering.
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Bank holiday

Hello folks.

I went for a coffee with an old school friend this morning, the sun was shining and we had a nice walk around town, quite uplifting after the hellish weekend we have had. My friend and I have always kept in touch and we see each other a few times a year so it was great to catch up on his latest news and talk about something other than ... well, you know if you've read the blog over the last few days.

This evening I have another friend (also known from school days) coming round for dinner and a chat, I see her quite frequently and the time always flies by! I am currently cooking potatoes for salad, pasta next then cous cous, a 'picky' tea as we call it in our house!

All over the news this morning was the death of Osama Bin Laden by American troops, big news but it makes me nervous of retaliation, cut the proverbial head off one leader and another will replace it...and it will be angry! I will be keeping an eye on the news - as usual as I am a bit of a news addict.

Anyway, have a great day wherever you are.

Stem Cells

I have now lost three people in my life to horrible conditions that Stem Cell treatment could have helped: Parkinson's Disease, Motor Neurone Disease and Congenital Heart Failure, we're not talking embryonic, adult's own stem cells could be used to treat their own conditions. The research is done, it's ready to go, it just needs funding, come on government, get with it!

Bruce.

Yesterday we lost a very good friend to Motor Neurone Disease, it gradually robbed him of so much until he succumbed to pneumonia. He was 59 years old. Bruce, we will miss you. Rest in peace.