Katie and her mental meanderings

We went to Cumbria today, aka the Lake District, it was a beautiful sunny day and we went for a walk along the coast. We met two parties of people in 2 1/2 hours of walking. How can that be? It’s August, it’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, and it was almost completely deserted. All we can think is they are all sitting in their cars by the shores of Lake Windermere waiting for a parking place so they can walk round the lake.

I’m afraid my obsession with walking round the coast of Britain is back – only another 4,950 miles to go I reckon! But I’m managing to cut out about 20 miles with a walk across Morecambe Bay in October (don’t worry, we go with a guide who has done it loads of times and knows where the quicksands are!). Current plan is while The Spouse™ watches football/cricket/Olympics I can get the train to one seaside station, walk to the next, and then get the train back.

Incidentally I am compiling a list of Olympic Sports Husbands Should Not Be Allowed To Watch. So far we have at the top of the list, beach volleyball, then table tennis (they wear really short shorts). I think he’s put men’s rowing on my list.

Currently reading (or about to start): Santaland Diaries, which just arrived today, to see if it’s a good book group book for December. A bit odd in August though!

No surprise really, it’s a British summer, and it’s raining. Being short, my trouser legs tend to end up near the ground… and hence, completely soaked by the time I got to work. I just hope no-one’s noticed I’m wearing my yoga trousers today – at least they’re black, and not wet.

We have finally got most of our house in some semblance of order (though we had another "it WILL be a lovely house" comment at the weekend. Grr. It IS a lovely house), and I surprised myself by actually doing some sewing this week. Haven’t done that for about a year, what with preparing to move, moving, starting a new job, doing up the house, getting married, and a few other minor things.

Currently reading: The Secret Life of Bees, for Ship of Fools book group, only about 3 weeks late which is not bad really. Trying to find a book for the December reading, having volunteered to think of one, I can’t remember any suitable books I’ve read. So far I’ve thought of Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt (not Christmassy, and more of a children’s book, but extremely good and on the theme of going back to where you were born, redemption etc.); Snow Falling on Cedars (snowy, and about immigration/internment/prejudice), and Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow (also snowy, and also about immigration and prejudice. And worms). I am also using this as an excuse to read some new possibilities – two books by David Sedaris (Holidays on Ice, and The Santaland Diaries). I also thought of John Grisham’s Cancelling Christmas, but it’s a bit short and silly, really.

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