So what is it about this pandemic that makes time go so quickly and, at the same time, so slowly? Any physicists out there care to explain? Or maybe psychologists? Whatever it is it’s playing havoc with my list. Some things buzz along and then I get to the end of the month to discover I haven’t memorised the second verse of the poem OR written a letter. Two verses next month. Two letters.
The new things. They worked! As did I in one of my new jobs. I’ve been a listener as audio books are being recorded, alerting the reader to mistakes. So I’ve ‘read’ a couple of books too! It’s surprisingly exhausting but incredibly interesting. I spotted mistakes but often the reader spots them first. It feels a little competitive…..
Learning birds. I decided a good start would be to visit the RSPB site at Newport Wetlands where I planned to join, and possibly buy some binoculars, because keen bird watchers told me I must have some. Unfortunately the building was closed and the wifi from the iPad that would have allowed me to join was not working. Yes, I could join on-line, but the Wetlands will get a small financial reward if I join there, so I’ll wait. So no membership, no binoculars and, as it happens on that particular day, not really any birds. Well, a few. But it is a lovely place for a walk and I spent some time in the only open hide I found to look at the few birds around. I knew not what they were. I have a long way to go with this one.
The following day we went for a walk in the Wye Valley and on a short stop for a banana lunch, a bird I did know came to sit next to me. Gorgeous.
And then, the day after that, this beautiful bird feeder arrived from my friend Kathy to encourage me in this project. I put an apple on as suggested, but so far have not seen a bird feeding – I think I need one of those fat balls. Watch this space, as I will be watching the feeder.
Making chocolates. The chocolate bits and pieces arrived and I’ve done the first lesson. I’ve learned how to temper chocolate and I made a few bars of fruit and nut! The next lesson is truffles.
Walking the Monmouthshire Brecon Canal. First stage – the stages are mine rather than anything official – completed. Brecon to Talybont. It involved a bus, so my first ride on public transport since March, and a pub which popped up towards the end of the walk. How lucky was that?
I didn’t manage to make any greeting cards yet, but I will.
That’s progress on new challenges. Now to catch up with old ones.
Composer of the month was Liszt. He was the rock star of his time – which is partly why I like him – playing the piano with extraordinary skill. At one point in the mid 1800s he performed over a thousand times, playing in pretty much every major city.
I love so many of his compositions. If you don’t know his music listen to Consolation No 3 on YouTube. Oh go on, here it is:
Matts monthly CD was From A View by Floodlights. I didn’t dislike it, but I haven’t listened to it enough. A typical example of what I was complaining about at the beginning. The CD arrived right at the start of the month. I had a quick play, quite liked it, planned to pay more attention to it during the month and then suddenly it’s October tomorrow. I will add it to next month’s offering and listen some more.
Monthly donation. I went environmental this time. There’s a plan to plant a million trees in the Brecon Beacons and someone has cut a request for donations into the bracken on a hillside. I like the idea of a million trees and loved the bracken cutting.
Getting to the top of local mountains. Yay! Pen Y Fan. What more is there to say? The highest peak in South Wales. Accompanied this time by, as well as PV, my lovely brother who had never climbed it, and he’s much older than me. We had a great walk and a well deserved pint afterwards. There’s only one more peak to go to tick off No. 46
A new recipe every two weeks. One of these doesn’t sound like a new recipe. Who hasn’t made a coffee and walnut cake? Well I hadn’t. But I have now. I liked the addition of melted chocolate on top which was a suggestion from Leith’s Bible.
The second recipe sounded a little odd but was unsurprisingly yummy, since I went back to Ottolenghi again. I must move on and be more adventurous. In the meantime I thoroughly enjoyed sausage, chickpea and autumn vegetables.
Bookclub books. Historical novels are not my favourite and so my library bookclub will be surprised that I am giving this month’s book a stunning 10/10. The Convert by Stefan Hertmans gripped me from the beginning. Inspired by a true story told in documents which had been hidden in 12th century Egypt, it’s a story of young lovers running away, being hunted by crusaders, and living an unbelievably difficult life. Highly recommended!
The second bookclub book this month is The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. A realiable author and a great read. A family drama and sibling love. Another recommendation.
And Oh yes, I almost forgot. This month I managed to get together with both brothers and sisters-in-law at the same time! We were six, so it was allowed. We were outside so it felt safe and we had the most delicious lunch at The Crown, Pantygelli. I’ll recommend that too!
7070 in 2020 