Don’t get too excited. I don’t kitesurf (since a scary experience just after I finished lessons) and I haven’t yet managed to get back on the windsurfer. I did make it to the beach…
…but it was way too windy and choppy for me to want to go out!
This week’s image shows just a few of the kites that were up. There was a competition in the bay, but it’s often this busy anyway. D had a good sail, but even he said it was challenging. Glad I stayed on dry land!
Maybe tomorrow?
Reading:
I finished the last of the Detective Kindaichi Mysteries by Seishi Yokomizo earlier this week. It followed the same pattern, with quite a few deaths and a convoluted story of interpersonal relationships. This series brought back memories of reading detective novels as a teenager. Although I read a lot of contemporary fiction at that time, I also went through my parents collection of Penguin paperbacks. Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh were two of my favourite authors. Now I feel like going back to revisit those novels, although I wonder if I’d enjoy them as much now.
I’ve moved on to other novels (not thrillers). In terms of nonfiction… well, I’d like to get hold of a book I’ve seen on supporting black cockatoos in gardens (although I’m interested in supporting birdlife more broadly too), and I might even be interested in a research-related book!?
Golf:
I’m playing ok at the moment, but very up and down. It has been hot, so I’ve not been practising. I’d really like to spend time on some basic drills and maybe get some coaching again. It’s pretty much impossible to be completely consistent, but with some practice I really should be able to make my rounds less of a rollercoaster. I know I should spend at least some of that time on putting, but it’s my least favourite thing to work on!
As it gets a bit cooler I’m going to work out a practice schedule for myself. Setup and pre-shot routine will be the first things to get more comfortable with (across everything, from driving to putting). I could try changing my grip again (but that’d really stuff everything up and I might just end up with sore fingers again, so maybe not a good idea).
Exercise:
I managed 20 minutes of home weights on top of my physio session and it was enough to make me sore the next day, so I did well this week. I’d like to get to either one additional 30 minute session, or a couple of shorter ones each week ideally. I did some research (ie I used my academic library access) on osteoporosis and exercise, which reinforced the idea that weights at least a couple of times a week would be good for me. It’s not enough to jump around (contra what you might see on social media). I’d provide the research paper links here, but unfortunately they were all paywalled, so there’s not much point sharing. Just ask if you’re interested in knowing more.
I contemplated going for a run this week, but it was hot and humid. I think I made the right call not going. I do feel as if I’ll get back into it when it’s cooler now.
Food:
We’re continuing to do ok in terms of eating. Had one takeaway this week, which helped because I’ve been struggling to feel enthused about cooking, in particular when it’s been hot.
Garden:
This week I filled the bin with couch grass from the front garden. It had got out of hand and, even though it is almost impossible to remove compeltely, the bed looks a lot better now. I’ll just need to keep removing it when it sprouts (trying to dig out as many of the runners as I can). Once I’ve done that for a few weeks I might consider planting some more succulents or maybe natives (for birds etc). Whatever I plant needs to be drought tolerant (given no reticulation in that bed and my irregular hand waterering schedule to contend with)!
I bought two simple terracotta birdbath bowls, one for the front and one for the back. It was forecast to be hot and I wanted to give the birds somewhere to cool down and take a drink (also lizards, but I don’t think we have that many at the moment). Both have definitely seen some action. I saw a raven drinking and cooling its feet out the front and a wagtail having a bath out the back.
I did buy a pot for the large cactus, but have not attempted to move it yet!
Adventure:
I got no further on organising wingfoiling lessons. Maybe that’ll be easier if I have a try at windsurfing again when its a bit less ballistic?
Sewing:
The skirt-making project I’ve been planning for weeks is in progress! It’s imperative that I get this pattern to work - although I’m very aware the first attempt might not be successful. More on this next week (I hope).
Three ideas:
- Windsurfing… and/or get onto someone about wingfoiling lessons
- Finish (?) the skirt, or at least get somewhere
- Set aside 15 minutes to outline a potential journal article argument (or pull the pin officially)
The Work section was replaced with Sewing this week, hence the article argument appearing again in the three ideas list. I seem to have no desire to do research writing work at all. Suddenly all I wanted to do was to cut material and sew. Weird.
