7070 in 2020

On February 9^th 2021 I will be 70. I had a big party for my 60^th and don’t want to do that again, but, as a perpetual celebrator, I want to do something. So I’ve decided to ‘tick off’ 70 things in the year leading up to the big day. At first this seemed undoable – 70, after all, is a big number. Also, I didn’t want to do anything life-threatening, like jumping out of an aeroplane, or setting myself challenges that would keep me awake at night. So, I’ve come up with the idea of doing everyday things I keep meaning to do but never, for whatever reason, get around to. Here they are:

BEING CREATIVE

1.  To document the year

I’ll do this via a/this blog and Instagram to tell stories and post photos about the tasks, the year and how it progresses.

2.  Write something

I’ve signed up to a short writing course.  We’ll see how that goes.

3.  Write letters to friends who live away

Proper letters on writing paper using a fountain pen.  I’m not sure how many letters, but I’m going for 12 as there’s a bit of a monthly theme in this whole list.

4.  Paint a picture

I have my father’s easel, a stretched canvas and some acrylics which have been in a cupboard for years.  So I’m going to…… paint a picture.

GIVING

5 – 16.  Monthly donation to a worthy cause

Although I make charitable donations, I know I can afford to do more.  So every month I’m going to give something to a different charity or organisation or someone who will benefit.  I need to do some research but suggestions are welcome.

17.  Give blood

I’m ashamed to say I never have.  It’s all to do with a needle phobia.  It seems you cannot give blood after 70 if you’ve not given it before, so here goes.

MUSIC

18-29. Learn all the major and minor scales

Having gone back to playing the piano after 55 years, I’ve been determined to learn the scales but never quite found the time.  So for each month of the year I’m going to learn one major and relative minor scale.

30 – 41.  Study a new composer every month

I’m enjoying listening to more classical music these days, but I know very little about the composers.  This will put that right.

42.  Play a piano piece from memory

I find SO difficult to play anything from memory.  I’d like to be able to sit down at one of those pianos in railway stations and play.  I’m not making that the task, but to be able to play something, without the music, in the privacy of my own home is the achievement I’m looking for.  If I succeed maybe I can play it in my piano class where I’d have a small audience!

43.  Buy and listen to a CD recommended by Matt at Diverse Records

The aim is to connect a bit with current music.  I’m not sure if this one should be in the family section or the music one.  But I’ve put it under music as that’s the focus.  Buying from Diverse is an added extra.  I’ve asked Matt not to make it too difficult.

BEING ACTIVE

44.  Ride a bicycle along a cycle path

I used to ride a bike from time to time but I’ve always been a bit of a nervous, wobbly cyclist and in recent years I’ve stopped doing it.  Because I enjoyed it a lot when traffic wasn’t an issue I thought I could give it another go somewhere where I feel safe.

45.  Ski at least once

I love to ski but every year now I say this may be the last time.  I’m not as gung ho as I used to be (if I ever was that!) and cruising the blues in the sun is the only skiing I’ll contemplate now.  So here’s a commitment to do it at least one more time.

46.  Walk up Pen Y Fan, The Sugar Loaf, Skirrid, Blorenge and Table Mountains

I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the country with stunning views at the top of nearby mountains.  Apart from Table Mountain I can barely remember the last time I went up any of them.  To tick this one off I have to reach the summit of all five.   I’ll report a peak at a time. 

47.  Swim 1 kilometre

I don’t swim much anymore.  My friend Lesley wanted me to swim in the sea as one of these challenges, but that was a jellyfish/eel/crab too far, so I’ve decided to do this swim in a salt water pool – almost the sea – when I visit another friend Fiona, during the summer.  I believe, but will check, that a kilometre is 72 lengths of her pool.  How to count those lengths as I swim them is a challenge on the side, but there’ll be a way.

48.  Complete a 5k park run or walk the Llanbedr Horseshoe

I’ve tried twice before to train for a park run using the NHS Couch to 5K podcast and failed both times.  I’ll have another go, but if it hurts too much I’m going to walk the 17 mile Llanbedr Horseshoe –  something I’ve talked of doing for years.  It will undoubtedly hurt.

FAMILY

49.  Watch Hugo play football

I have two great-nephews who are excellent footballers.  We’ve been wanting to watch Hugo, the younger one, play for a long time.  This year I’m going to.

50.  Meet up with Chris

I’m hoping to meet up with my niece Chris who I haven’t seen properly for several years.

51.  Lunch out with at least one brother and sister-in-law every two months.  Both brothers and sister-in laws invited!

We all get together occasionally and when we do we always say we should do it more often.  Six times in the coming year is on the list.  It will be lovely if we make it.

FRENCH

52 – 57.  Listen to and read Bien Dire bi-monthly

Since retiring, I’ve done more French courses that I care to think about.  I pretty much know the grammar.  Or enough grammar.  But I can hardly understand anything a French person says to me, or hold a conversation over and above asking for directions.  With the need to concentrate on listening and speaking, I’m going to use Bien Dire – a magazine with accompanying audio download -to help me improve on that.

OTHER STUFF

58.  Travel North to visit Lesley, and Tim and Penny

This year this will happen.

59.  Go to the Edinburgh Festival and see Marcia’s play

I’ve liked the idea of the Edinburgh Festival but it’s always seemed a bit overwhelming when looking at what’s on.  This year Marcia is taking her play, Bed 13, there and although I’ve seen it (twice), it’s definitely worth seeing again, and supporting her is an added bonus to finding out what exactly goes on in Edinburgh at festival time.

60.  Stay in one of Frankie and Stuart’s honeymoon hotels

I would really like to stay in all the places Frankie and Stuart did on their honeymoon, but thought that might steal the magic from them!  So just one please. 

61.  Leave 100% tip somewhere

Frankie suggested this in the early days of putting this list together. I do think it’s a whacky thing to do, and it doesn’t quite fit as something I’ve been meaning to do but not got around to!  But hey, I asked for suggestions…. I can’t decide in advance and it must be somewhere where there’s super customer service.  I’m not going to do it in the most expensive place I’ll eat this year, but also it’s not for the local café.  It will have to hurt a little bit, I think.  Hmmm.

62.  Cook a new recipe every two weeks

This won’t hurt.  I like to cook, but I don’t go for new things often enough.  I will now.

63.  Learn a poem

I’m not very keen on poetry even though I try.  And I have no memory of poems I studied in school although there will have been some I know.  So, a bit of brain work to find a poem – not too short, not too long – and learn it.  Suggestions welcome.

64.  Plant a herb garden

Our two allotments are Pavel’s really, but he’s happy to give me a patch to plant a herb garden.

65.  Weigh 7lb less according MJ Fitness scales

Sorry about this one.  It’s horribly girlie.  Weight, diet and all that.  But it’s not about dieting.  It’s about being fit and active and being at the ‘right’ weight.  Or what feels right to me.  So bear with it.  It will be a joy.

66.  Sort photos so only albums remain

Who hasn’t got a box or drawer full of photographs?  I certainly do and I never look at them.  So the aim is to either get the loose ones into albums or dispose of them.  Digital photos are not included in this task.  If they were it could be the only thing I’d do all year!

67.  Go camping/glamping

It’s been on my list for years to go camping.  Well, to wake up ‘outside’.  It may be that it will have to be glamping rather than camping because investing in equipment isn’t on this list.  I’ll be researching what’s available.

68.  Read ALL bookclub books

I belong to two bookclubs and very often I don’t read or finish the book.  This year I’m going to.

69.  Something with Emma which will be revealed on completion

70.  Celebratory birthday dinner somewhere very special February 2021                

THE END